New with some writing difficulty

[OJazzy1]

Hello all,

I am new to this and am glad that I found you all.

I write music on a regular basis but I am branching out into some new territory.

I am in the process of writing a biography of sorts and also a children's book. I seem to be stuck. I have ideas for both and have actually started writing both but then I seem to just block, I start second guessing and thinking maybe this isn't such a good idea. But I really do want to write, I have wanted to for years...

So I am not sure what I am asking except how did you all push through that?

[AndVeeGeeMakes3]

When I can't write - I read. And I read things that are like what I want to write. So, I'd suggest you read some biography - particularly literary type biography because that's going to be the type of book that will pay very close attention to craft and the structure of the work. This is as opposed to pop-biography (unless, of course, that's what you're wanting to write). Same goes for children's books.

Reading in this manner is different from reading strictly for pleasure. You keep your mind attuned to the way that the writer is accomplishing the work of the story, things like sentence construction, use of metaphor, dialogue, scene setting, use of historical data, etc. Basically, you read as if it were a textbook. And take notes. What is it that you like about the way a writer does what he/she does?

I really think that writers who don't read deeply and voraciously aren't very good writers - you can tell.

And then there's just the doing of it. Treat it like a job. Even if it's just a "part-time" job (as in fifteen minutes a day!).

Good luck, and welcome!

[marsupial*mama]

If you join your local writers centre (every state or city has one - make google your best friend) there will quite likely be courses that can guide you through the process over a specified time period. Taking a course will surely help ease you into the method without allowing you to go too far astray and waste your time and enthusiasm on unproductive persuits. It will also introduce you to a potentially supportive network of writers who can help motivate and guide you. It takes some time to develop a method that works for you, but once you find your muse, creative blocks will be a thing of the past.

[OJazzy1]

Thank you ladies.