Surely I can't be the only person with this problem?

The picture says it all.

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o...ps35369f2a.jpg

You aren't.
That's why I made this.
http://i.imgur.com/rQsJmj9.jpg

Haha nice pic.

Anyway, this problem is exactly why my novel I'm trying to write has not progressed beyond a single chapter.

Ah, I see.
Well, first thing you ought to do is give your story a skeleton. Make a list of all the major events you want to take place. You need an ultimate goal and a motive to keep your characters interesting. I know planning out everything ahead of time seems like killing the creativity, but it's really not. Think of it as a guide, you can always change/adapt it as you get new ideas.
#knowsfromexperience

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jannah

The picture says it all.

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o...ps35369f2a.jpg

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And that is why I have had an idea for a novel for almost a year now, an idea where I am absolutely in love with the concept and like all the male characters...

But I haven't started writing it yet.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Clirkus

Ah, I see.
Well, first thing you ought to do is give your story a skeleton. Make a list of all the major events you want to take place. You need an ultimate goal and a motive to keep your characters interesting. I know planning out everything ahead of time seems like killing the creativity, but it's really not. Think of it as a guide, you can always change/adapt it as you get new ideas.
#knowsfromexperience

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I will remember this when I finally try to sit my ass down and start my story.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Clirkus

Ah, I see.
Well, first thing you ought to do is give your story a skeleton. Make a list of all the major events you want to take place. You need an ultimate goal and a motive to keep your characters interesting. I know planning out everything ahead of time seems like killing the creativity, but it's really not. Think of it as a guide, you can always change/adapt it as you get new ideas.
#knowsfromexperience

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Planning does help, but I only have about a quarter of it planned out. Everything else I had ideas for was too cliche so got scrapped.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jannah

Planning does help, but I only have about a quarter of it planned out. Everything else I had ideas for was too cliche so got scrapped.

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Hm, then you need some new inspiration. Read more books, more of the kind of genre you want to write about and genres you're not incorporating. Whenever I'm not feeling creative, new material, new books, new information, always helps get my brain juices flowing.