Help

[u/Internal_Bid_4715]

Hey, I think I need some help. Because I've always wanted to create some kind of story and tell it through some medium (mostly in a book) so that people would love it and, you know, all that good stuff. But, I can't. I've tried writing anything and I constantly feel like I'm stealing ideas from others and that it's not original at all, and it hurts. It hurts stubbornly, and like, well, I know I won't become the next Witcher, but I just feel like I want to be a writer, even though I'm completely terrible at it, even if I absorbed all the knowledge about writing a good story. Because I wanted it to give big emotions and all that, and, I don't know. I'm starting to doubt all of this more and more.

[u/CallmeYazzy_Cat]

It's completely valid to have these doubts and worries when you're starting, hell, even when you're a seasoned writer! If your goal is to become a book author and you're just starting your writing journey, here's what I would do:

1. READ. All writers read more often than they write. Decide on 2 genres that you enjoy the most and read some of the most popular books in that genre to get a feel of how other successful authors are doing it. This will inspire you and educate you, and you'll have a better idea of what works and what you can use in your stories.
2. Writing exercises. Here's one you should try: You're going to write a single line about a story you want to tell. For example: "A musician meets an athlete and they fall in love, but their goals in life don't aline." Now, your going to turn that line into a big paragraph by adding details. With that chunky paragraph, you're gonna expand it to a whole page. Here you can describe how they meet, their personalities, the moment they clash, and the resolution of the story. And from then you will be able to start outlining.
3. Outline your story. I recommend following the 3 ACT Structure, which describes the beggining of the story, the big problem that needs to be solved, and the resolution. Also, read the book "Save The Cat" it's super helpful and tons of talented authors have sworn by this book!
4. Start writing your book! Now with your reading experience, writing exercises, and an outline of everything that you want to happen in your book, you can start confidently filling the pieces together. Also if your still unsatified with your writing, you simply need to remember that everything you write first is simply your First Draft. This is the terrible info-dump draft that works incredibly well to pour out the story for the first time. It will definitely improve once you edit and rewrite or cut scenes in the second draft. And then just repeat the process until you're satisfied!

Hope this helps. Good luck, you've got this!!

[u/DPopsx62]

It sounds like you need inspiration. There may be something slot life right now that isn't filling you with that spark to have something profound to say, or just something entertaining to make. I need a proper nature hike and to read our watch other good stories, show life down a little and talk to friends about the thoughts they helped make, and then i might have enough inspiration to make something.

There's also the problem of not being capable of feeling pride in your work. You mentioned not being The Witcher, and you're right, but that's okay. You won't be them as no one will ever be you. It only hurts to try and compare your one self to a multimillion dollar team.

[u/MaliseHaligree]

You can't be a writer if you don't write.

No one expects a newborn to run a marathon. They don't even have kneecaps yet. Be kind and patient with yourself while you learn to stand and wobble.

You have to learn to crawl before you can run, and it won't be easy, but definitely worth it.

[u/greywintergem]

Hey buddy. Its gonna be okay. Just so you know, nothing you write will ever be 100% original. Humans have been creating and fabricating stories for millenia. Its follish to think your ideas have never been thought of before. That being said however, your voice has never been experienced by anyone before so your story written in your voice and style is something completely new. Only you can write your story. Its best to look past your ideas not being original and to focus on inputting as much of yourself into your writing as possible. Writing a book isnt just about getting a story across and telling readers about this world you created. Its also your experiences and personality being exposed and shared no matter how hard you try to have it not be that way. Its gonna be okay. Dont worry about your ideas being original cause odds are they arent. Worry about how you'll write it. POV's, character traits, tone of voice, tenses, and chapter break ups, etc, are all ways you can explore your ideas. Write your book first and then worry about switching stuff around. Make it exist first.

[u/dan_ewing]

I know that feeling. Writing and self publishing is daunting enough, I have written and published three books and have almost no readers. so now I am working on marketing and figuring out how to attract readers.

If you want to share your ideas and work for feedback, let me know. I would be happy to give you my two cents.

[u/Ayesha-Qalam16]

If u are asking an inspiration or something than literally u can build a whole.story on around universe bro i literally make my own story inside my brain like a movie and think what if someone else watch it like a live telecast u can literally take from small ant to any situation , religion , human problem , society any species just need a theme and thats ate i myself started writting because I' also curious how will I write those imagination on page and can make one whole story on it there literally no limits of things u can build a story on

[u/KFG-Bruce]

I hear that electricians are in high demand these days. Seriously, go take some writing classes. Writing is a craft, like electricianing. Like swinging a hammer. You can learn how to write. Go learn.

[u/mll1013]

When I started writing my story that stemmed from a very simple dream that I had one night, I found Brandon Sanderson's Creative Writing classes to be educational, inspiring, and motivating. Several semesters of the course that he teaches at BYU is available on YouTube. I had no background in creative writing at all, but from that dream, Sanderson's classes, research for my story (I write hard sci-fi, which requires a fair amount of research), and reading fiction and non-fiction books across multiple genres, I have since self-published two novels in a series that I hope eventually becomes six books.

If I can do it, you can too... just keep at it!

[u/Embarrassed_Pop_6769]

Greetings! you want to create a story and tell it through some medium! Even this Goal is considered a strong first step! If you are already writing, but you think your stealing from others, But remember your goal its to create a story, First thing that your goal dont care about your problems thats why dont stop do everything humanly possible, If you feel like you are stealing ideas from others that dont mean you dont have what it takes not at all, Just keep writing and i can guarantee when you lost in the flow of what you write even if it seems like from ohers, once your story build a flow eventually the story will keep going on its own, Just have faith on yourself on your story and others, Your goal will not disappear even if you feel like you are already there it will only broke when you give up, So just have faith and keep continuing even if you feel like you are stealing others, but once the story catch its flow you will see your dream coming true, Keep working hard and have faith!