My problem is too many ideas, and lack of discipline. Unless I compete a short story within a fairly brief timeframe I become eager to develop a new idea rather than stick to completing and editing the current work. Its bad enough with short stories but I'm dreading starting a novel - every idea is more worthy of my attention than the last because its new and exciting. How do you kerb the idea to jump on new projects?
5) Accept it won't be worked on... I really should proofread before I click the post button. :)
I know that feeling. Very well. What works for me is:
1) Scribble the idea down in an "ideas" word file. Re-visit in a few days and see if I still like it or not. Delete if not.
2) Try to work the idea into the present novel if it will fit (and just won't go away).
3) Write the idea as a short story or drabble to give myself a break away from my main piece.
4) Set up a concurrent novel and switch between the two. (Normally my option of last resort - one novel at a time is more than enough work for me as a rule.)
5) Accept it work be worked on for a few years... if I still remember it by then. (I find that a 170k novel takes me about 18 months to two years to write the first draft.)
I hope some of these suggestions help you out. I can only say what works for me, but you're welcome to try some of them if you want to.
Dan, in some ways, every contribution here is valid. Also, different things work for different people - a saying usually pulled out by those who don't complete anything; like me.
Set aside time every day. Remember these two quotations:-
1. The art of writing is the art of applying the seat of your pants to your chair and keeping it there.
2. Writing is 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration.
In other words, push yourself to complete your work. I started a novel without properly planning it, and ended up being unable to stop until I'd said everything I wanted to. Trouble is, a crime-come-love story of 130,000 words isn't wanted. That's the realm of historical sagas and some fantasy novel series. I am currently summing up the energy to chop it down to 75,000 words. A more daunting task than the original writing.
Since then, I have come across something that I am using to plan my next novel and I think it could possibly help you too. Look up the Snowflake method. It breaks everything down into useful bite-size lumps. (Being formerly a project manager and a quality engineer, I don't know why I didn't come up with this myself.)
There is a full-blown method and some slightly reduced methods which others have posted online. But all in all I've looked it through and know it will help me overcome simply writing rubbish or getting part-way through and becoming stuck.
Have a look bro. See what you think.
Regards, good luck, and let's be careful out there.
PabloJ.