I sometimes ponder over this question. Actually, I do a lot. And I always ask myself "Is my story good enough?", "Is having a book with only 20 pages a bad thing?", and - usually - "DO I really want to ditch this plot and go start a new story?"
Well, here are some helpful tips (not only from me)!
1. For this one, pretend I'm the bully and you're the young writer.
Me: Hey, you. Who even has an idea like that? Like, have you ever heard of turtles with spikes on their backs and those "steely red" eyes? Nuh-uh. Those little clowns are just humiliating!
You: They are supposed to look weird. The villain in my story is mad, and he's a cereal killer, and he has funny things in mind going on... so you shouldn't judge.
2. Now pretend my name is BigNiceMeanie. I walk up to you and say...
Me: I really don't understand how you can call "water" one of your powers. I get it - it's funny - but like, who does that again?
You: Look, BigNiceMeanie. I know that we all have different tastes. Thankyou for telling me your opinion on my magical world, but I really would like to continue with my lovely story. I'm sorry if I disappointed you.
3. Now, let's switch sides. I'm the little book bookworm, sitting under an aspen tree. And you are the obsessed video-gamer (not that there's anything wrong with being one!).
Me: I absolutely love Ginny Weasley...
You: I don't get books. They are useless!
Me (shrugging my shoulders): Hm. I like reading books. They take you places.
Now, the thing that you all probably came here for: how to get inspired. Here are some of the situations that you might find yourself stuck in...
1. I am sitting on the couch, my netbook open, reading all of my ten pages that I've written so far. When I finish reading, I say... "My story is so cringy... my teacher definitely won't like it's adjectives. Oh, and I don't feel like writing anymore..."
well, here's what you do: you give yourself a break. And then next time you go to a café or a restaurant, I take a notebook and a pencil with me. So whenever I hear an interesting word, a phrase, or a name being mentioned, I jot it all down. I know it sounds wrong, but - even weird parts of conversations that I overhear, I still write the, down.
When I cone home, I give myself a rest for a couple of days; do some diy's, watch some cat videos, dress up as a unicorn - whatever.
And when I feel like it, I just open my notebook again, and re-read everything I've written down. Then, I jot down ideas and try writing a little bit on my computer. If it works, then great!, but if it doesn't - don't stress. You can start a new story, or just give yourself a couple more days of rest - but do not ever delete your story. Please!
2. "What's wrong, darling?" my mum asks you.
I look at her, my face beginning to relax. "Mark-Thomas-Dory-Cotton-Clark-poop just told me at school that my story was rubbish. and I worked on it so hard!"
My mum smiles. "Not enough people in the world appreciate the work of others. All they care about is themselves. But I guarantee you - that when you finish your debut novel, people will sure notice it. That's definite!"
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