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/lit/ - Literature

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4921072 No.4921072[DELETED]  [Reply] [Original]

I want to write something.
Like a short story, love poem, anything.
How do I focus and start?

>> No.4921081
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4921081

>>4921072

>> No.4921083

first you run the bath. feel free to include any bath salts you like (you deserve some small comfort). while the tub is filling, plug in your toaster and make sure you can reach it after you get into the tub. take any leftover time to light candles -- i like lavender scented ones, but maybe you like something else better.

after the tub is full, go ahead and climb in. try not to knock the toaster in before you're ready. all that's left after you're in is to position yourself so that if the initial shock doesn't off you, the drowning will. now submerge the toaster.

>> No.4921084

Write about how you can't focus.

>> No.4921336

Think of an idea you find interesting, a philosophical concept or miniature one or something, a really compelling dilemma, a character quirk. Something that you can "describe" intuitively in your own mind but which has no easy sequence of words for describing to someone else.

Think of a setting that has always compelled you. This is so you will not get tired of it or force it, but actually like it enough to elaborate it and explore it organically.

Put idea in setting.

If good writer, writing will be good.

>> No.4921349
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4921349

Write a letter to your brain asking for help

>> No.4921354

>>4921072
write anything. ANYTHING. Choose what its going to be about after the fact, then refine refine refine.

>> No.4921396

>>4921336
I agree with this.

Or alternatively

>Read some other short story/book/poem
>Feel really motivated by it, think it's really cool and all and that its got all the great things a short story/book/poem
>Basically rip the whole thing off except you change some stuff around, some character names, the setting maybe, but the premise remains the same
>Gradually start adding your stuff more and more, refine refine refine until its a new work of art.

Only way to start writing good is by ripping off your favorite authors also known as "being influenced by".

>> No.4921409

First off read up on the technical basics of writing so you don't come across as some fanfic faggot.

>> No.4921529
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4921529

>>4921072

>> No.4921537

>>4921083

you should have suggested candles before any mention of the toaster

you really just built up 2/3rds of the illusion and then revealed and then was like "btw here's the last part of the illusion"

it would otherwise have been a pretty good post. i like the idea

>> No.4921555

>>4921409
Where could I find some lessons on that?

>> No.4921561

>>4921083
my bathroom outlet has a circuit breaker :(

>> No.4921571

>>4921336
>>4921396
I'd like to add two starting points on top of that: read a lot, and compel yourself to write down very precisely your most cogent thoughts on what you read (this works particularly well with philosophy, history, and essays), and write down your most vivid and striking dreams.

>> No.4921580

>>4921555

You can find a ton of advice with a simple google search. Something like "How to write well"