Is it just me or does this really happen?

[aarviirv4]

I have got the story in my mind, scenes playing like a movie, characters practically jumping off the page. I am fired up and ready to write a chapter a day. But then... I sit down to type and boom suddenly, I’m stuck. How do I even convey these thoughts? How do I get what’s in my head onto the page?
It is easy to dream up a story but bringing it to life with words? Trying to capture complex emotions, build a world, and make it all come alive on paper is a whole different challenge. But it's also made me respect authors more than ever. Those who deliver such beautifully stories, page after page, are on another level. The effort behind the scenes is real and now after trying it myself, my appreciation for their work is high on sky.

[Lensing]

Here is the short version of my advice:
Just do it!

Don´t worry about it, don´t overthink, your main focus should be on telling
a good story. Something that you want to read yourself.

Here is how I bring ideas from the basic idea to the first draft which I will
turn into into the second draft, storyboard, sketches etc.:

I write down story beats of the story / episode. The end first.
I limit myself to 12 panels for the first draft (for stories and for comics)
One panel is already gone for the end, one for the beginning. That leaves
me with 10 panels to tell the story. I puzzle around until I have a readable
12 panel first draft which makes sense and works.

Try this for your idea, using a 12 panel limit will make things easier + I can
guarantee you that you will find out important things about your story.
The first stories that I wrote with that technique had (for example): no good
ending, no good solution to the problem, a lot of unnecessary and boring
ballast which isn´t important to tell the story and things like that. I can
write better stories now after doing that for a while

[Leyelle]

This is a common thing, and my biggest tip is to just start writing. Write out your idea for the chapter/scene. It doesn't have to be good. Then come back later and start revising. If you wrote a line you like, keep it, if you have to adjust other things around it to make it work better, do that. Gradually through edits and rewrites you can refine your first draft into a useable chapter.

[MiharuWrites]

It's not just you. Happens to all of us. I've experienced this and it definitely slows things down. I have learned to find the good in the stuck times though. Even if I'm not writing, my storytelling is getting better in my head. Details suddenly spring to life months after the scene has been created in my mind. Then I can write and its better because I waited. Doesn't always happen that way but patience, reading, researching, and taking a break from writing does tend to render a better book out of me.

[vfaqvrf]

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[2DLenzy]

I'll put it this way--no one wrote a beautiful story the first time. There was probably a ton of rewrites over months and years before they honed their story into what it became, not to mention years of practicing.

I won't call myself a master storyteller, but I used to write a lot as a teen and I'm trying to rekindle that spark after years of inactivity. Here's what I'm doing:

• Make a document listing all your world-building/research, include character sheets as well
  (traits, strengths/weaknesses, backstory, motivations-what are they trying to achieve in the story)
• Make an outline of your plot. You don't have to be super detailed, just figure out the flow of events and get the base story out of your head.
• For chapters, list a few of those plot points and add descriptions of settings, characters involved in the scene, dialogue and descriptions. Start building them up until a scene is fleshed out. This is where the work occurs and it may not happen as quick as you want it.
• If you get stuck on a thought/action/description/event--SKIP IT, and write around it. You can go back and figure out what you want to say later. Epiphanies happen alot outside of writing, and editing.
• (This next one may take some experience, and deep character-building which you may not have at the beginning of the story which is okay for beginner writers, so you can drop this one if it's too much thinking, but ideas may come when brainstorming the deep stuff)
  If you're not sure where a scene is going or what it's purpose is, try to come up with questions and answer them via yourself or your characters, just to validate why you're writing the scene. What is the character trying to achieve learn from this scene/dialogue? Does it change the character? If so, how? If not, why? Think of it like a quiz at the end of a chapter. If for some reason you can't answer the questions, then the scene may not be needed - unless you're doing it for fun, which is fine too! Not everything one writes needs critical thinking, just adds depth.
• Read more into the genre you want to write. Note any patterns you notice (word usage, metaphors, etc) and try to implement some in your writing, and see how you can build up your own voice (not copying, mind you, but logically think about their writing style like a critic/English teacher and learn from them, if you can)

I'll admit this list is--weirdly complicated, sorry. But like anyone else, it's best to start somewhere (I'd advise trying the first three/four and see how much writing you can generate at the minimum level). You can always fix/edit/embellish things in another draft. Nothing is perfect.

If you write a little every day, you can train your brain into writing for you.

[vfaqvrf]

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[2DLenzy]

That's so true! Guess I'm too used to losing sleep to writing/drawing. Used to get up at 5am before school and write, like a crazy person XD

Now, I wake up at 3am for no reason and think, "Well, I can draw/write to pass the time!"

Don't worry, there's always naps!

[mikesakatamaki]

I totally understand the frustration of suddenly getting stuck. It happens to me all the time. In those moments, I think it's because the characters in my head are acting up.

When that happens, I usually lie down on the couch and relax. Once I calm down, I can better understand the movements and feelings of the characters. Eventually, the ending of the chapter comes to me.

From reading your words, it sounds like you're pushing yourself too hard. I really hope you can find some time to relax. I’m sure your story will turn out amazing.

[Tubacabra]

Sorry guys. I can't relate. Whenever I sit down to write, my brain is always five sentences ahead. Which is its own problem when I forget the sentence I was about to write.

[mikesakatamaki]

If your computer is a laptop, I think you can lie down in bed and write.
Relaxation is important.

[aarviirv4]

Thank you so much for sharing this valuable advice! I really appreciate the simplicity and clarity of your approach of focusing on the core elements and not overthinking things is exactly what I needed to hear. The idea of working within a 12-panel framework is especially intriguing.
I’ll definitely give it a try with my own story ideas and thanks again for sharing your process. It is encouraging and motivating:innocent:

[aarviirv4]

Thank you for the advice! It is reassuring to hear that it is a common experience, and you're absolutely right—just starting is key.
I’ll definitely start focusing on getting the rough draft out and shaping it into something better with each revision. Appreciate your tips!

[aarviirv4]

That’s a great suggestion. Thanks for the tip.

[aarviirv4]

Haha, I feel that on a deep level. For me, it's always like my brain is speed-running the story while my fingers are stuck in slow motion.

[aarviirv4]

Haha great suggestion. Thanks for the tip.

[aarviirv4]

Haha, I feel you.
The 3 a.m. creative bursts are a whole mood. It's like your brain's way of saying, "Hey, let's make use of this random insomnia!"
Honestly, though, waking up at 5 a.m. before school to write? That's next-level dedication. At least you have naps to balance out those early morning moments of creativity. Sleep is optional when the ideas are flowing, right?

[aarviirv4]

No need to apologize, this advice is spot on. Your list covers essential approach to writing, from world-building to character motivations and scene structure. And l like the idea of treating scenes like quizzes.

Thanks for sharing this. I really appreciate your list.

[aarviirv4]

Oh my gosh. It’s like my brain is constantly playing movie trailers, but when I sit down to write... crickets! I love your approach with the Bree Baxter chaotic vibes vs. the Teaser minimalist suspense. Honestly, I might try both. Thanks for sharing your methods.

[aarviirv4]

Thank you so much for this perspective.
I had not really thought about the stuck moments being useful, but you are so right, it’s like giving the story time to mature in the background.
Thanks again for the encouragement!