I know the responses of "just don't let anything distract you" - "just focus on the idea". However, I have a difficult time focusing for any long period of time, and every week or two I lose interest in what I'm trying to write and move on to something else I (also) never complete.

Often I just find myself trying to continue them, but failing to do so, constantly procrastinating, or just failing to find any ideas on how to continue. I do love writing, but this sets back everything I work on, and I just feel like someone promising stuff I can't deliver to the few people who follow me.

Really the most troubling part of how I receive motivation to write is through, how do I describe it? Kind of like visions in my mind while trying to sleep, and sometimes an entire story is told in my head coming from nowhere. The issue I'm getting at is that once I receive "visions", I'm never really able to continue them due to the lack of ideas. Sometimes brainstorming gives results, but usually doesn't. Said "visions" don't happen all the time either.

I'll be searching the internet (but knowing my luck, I'll find basic tips at best.) Maybe you lot can offer some help as well, whether they're tips or even different ways of being able to relax other than "just write what's on your mind", because I can't dump words onto paper if I have nothing to write.

Plot twist: you've always got something to write. The problem most people have isn't ideas, it's discipline. You've got to force yourself into making writing a habit.

Set aside a bit of time everyday to write and force yourself to write something, even if it's one sentence. You'd be surprised how easy it gets.

6675555
I do my best on a daily basis, and I normally keep my app open as much as possible so I can come to it later. An issue I have is, like I explained, getting distracted, but luckily I found some advice online telling me to set a timer every 5 minutes so I can snap back to what I was doing.

I'm also stuck trying to plan what I write, rather than going with the flow, and I understand my entire being is flawed and inconsistent all the time (another issue I suppose).

Lastly, I don't feel like I have any reason to keep schedules or make sure I get things done until I need to do it. I can feel the need to keep consistency in my life, but I don't feel like I need to at the moment, or practice discipline on a daily basis.

6675543
Based on my own experience, it comes down to two things: motivation in the story and knowing what to write.
Motivation: When picking something to write you have to make sure it's something you can get motivated to do. Is it something you can think up a lot of scenario for? Do you have fun making new scenes and plot points for it, or are do simply born from the onset?

Knowing what to write: If you are like me, you will think up the big scenes the make up the story, but have little idea about what goes in between. While the big scenes are important, the problem is that a story is made up of a lot of little scenes, and it's these that people can get stuck on.

how do I describe it? Kind of like visions in my mind while trying to sleep

Yeah, those are called dreams.

6675582
To a degree I suppose, there was a story I got really hooked on to write, then I started getting other ideas that were snuffing out the thing I wanted to write the most.

I knew a lot of what to write on said story, in fact I even got some 6K words written before I reluctantly lost interest, and it was mostly down to the fact that I was skipping several scenes to start another, until I got stuck on two possible ways to continue. One would have shortened it, but potentially made it less interesting, and another would have made it longer, but I was stuck at the fact that a scene taking place in the same building was incomplete and so were the characters, so I had no idea how to go that route yet. I then tried making an alternative to that story to gain inspiration only for it to go nowhere.

6675591
For me, before I can even start writing I need to know how the story begins, something that will happen in the midway point, and how it will end. I use this as a guideline to help me from getting lost, and by to sound of it, you may have gotten lost on your story. I can't comment on how you could fix it, but the best advice I could give is to find the nearest story guide post and try and take the route that will lead to that.

6675611
I do start from the beginning, and I figure out how it ends, the problem is figuring out what happens in the middle.

6675624
well, now that we have identified the problem, you know what to work on.

I often have trouble sticking with an idea because I can only imagine an idea because of one particular moment or scene I'm visualizing in my head. So the other bits that fill in the complete idea are difficult to write out.

6675543

Really the most troubling part of how I receive motivation to write is through, how do I describe it? Kind of like visions in my mind while trying to sleep, and sometimes an entire story is told in my head coming from nowhere. The issue I'm getting at is that once I receive "visions", I'm never really able to continue them due to the lack of ideas. Sometimes brainstorming gives results, but usually doesn't. Said "visions" don't happen all the time either.

I get ideas most of the time. Sometimes I get dreams and if they are coherent enough I write stories with them.

I started writing six years ago.
Didn't start writing epics, I started writing one chapter stories, sometimes four chapters.
Basically I learned how to take an idea execute it and finish.

I'm not going to sugarcoat things.
Writing is hard.
There are a lot of things you need to do to have to even have a decent story.
Keep on learning, and be patient with yourself.

Someone said it here, discipline.

Focus on one idea, flesh it out, create a snappy ending and move on to another idea.
This way, quantity will help you get better quality.

Since you're just doing a one chapter story, it won't drag on like a longer story does.

I wrote an original story about a guy who realizes he was being stalked by a plastic bag.
That was based on a time when I saw a plastic bag being blown by the wind and I thought, what if it wasn't the wind?

Start writing one chapter stories, it's a great way to hone your writing skills and get feedback.
It's much easier to get someone to read a one chapter story than a thirty chapter one.

If you can, write original work.
Why?
It's free and fun. No limits other than your imagination and skill.

Writing fanfiction means that you have to know the MLP universe and comply with the rules.

I also suggest that before you start writing or fussing with worldbuilding, you write down in one sentence, what the story is about.
Why?
If you don't know what your story is about, how will you know how to finish it?
If you don't know what your story is about, how will you know what fits and what doesn't?

For some short stories I don't know how it ends, but at least I have a clue to the direction of the story.

Think of it like starting a journey except you know where you're going.
I'm going to grandma's house to help fix her roof.
I'm going to the library.

Not sure about the advice about forcing yourself to write.
I don't write every day, but I do think about my stories a lot.
When I have them planned out in my head at a certain level, then I write.

6675703
Well, when I meant "visions" I didn't mean dreams, I would still be fully conscious when I have them.

I often don't get ideas for short one/two chapter stories, I get ideas for longer ones, and short stories I do try to come up with don't go anywhere (except for the one and only story I did write and publish.) And on that subject, I can't do slice of life one shots, I feel that there's a lot I don't get the chance to cover, and I like going into detail on certain things.

I'm not completely over my fear of writing certain things, like stupid stuff you read or write for shits n' giggles. It applies to writing romance, porn, and like I said, shitposting basically. Which some are easier to write as one shots than full on stories.

Who knows, maybe I'm just subconsciously procrastinating or something, all I know is that writing unfamiliar stuff is next to impossible for me.

6675719

I often don't get ideas for short one/two chapter stories, I get ideas for longer ones, and short stories I do try to come up with don't go anywhere (except for the one and only story I did write and publish.) And on that subject, I can't do slice of life one shots, I feel that there's a lot I don't get the chance to cover, and I like going into detail on certain things.

I mentioned short stories/one chapter stories because you did say that you have problems focusing and finishing stories.

Writing longer stories can be a slog in some places, no lie.
You definitely need some stamina to write a thirty chapter story.

Writing a few one-shots might be a way to raise your stamina for longer works.
Folks who just start doing marathons start with shorter distances and then work up to the longer distance.

That being said, if you wish to do longer work, you gotta want it.
If you want it, you'll make the time.

If you really don't want it, it won't get done.

----------------

Who knows, maybe I'm just subconsciously procrastinating or something, all I know is that writing unfamiliar stuff is next to impossible for me.

If you want to write a story about an unfamiliar subject, do your research.
More knowledge means more info and that is usually more useful than less knowledge.

Let's say you wanted to write a story about chicken ghosts rebelling against humanity.
So you go out and do research on the chicken industry. Now you have more info to work with and put in your story.

Again, it depends on if you want it enough to do the work.

6675808
Sometimes I get bursts of energy and write a lot, 1,000 or 1,500 in 1-2 hour period, in fact that's why the story I was making has so many words, I worked like hell for a good amount of it. I do truly try to continue it, but I don't have any ideas on how. I got that much done out of the sheer fact I knew what I was doing, and where it was all going, but the moment I hit a road block, it's like I can't continue.

I do hope it's not sounding like excuses for not being able to continue, it's not my intention, I'm just trying to find ways to go around or fix my problem.

6675823
I hit snags in my writing too.

I just take a break and then spend some time thinking.
Eventually, I come up with something and I continue.

A lot of people like to talk about writing like it's like pushing boxes.
But even with pushing boxes, you do need to take breaks.

Take a little time to relax and then think about why you're stuck.
It's hard to find the right solutions when you're emotional.

6675543
Wow. There's a lot of good advice in the replies here, but though I may repeat other's advice, here's a bit more.

So you're one of those who find themselves sweeping the floor when you were certain you were writing? Been there. Done that. I can empathize. My best advice is two-fold.

Aim to write very short stories; for FimFiction, that means a thousand words. Take the idea, grab a character that embodies the idea, and get it down on paper and out of you, completely. The End. Done. To make this work, first and foremost, know how the story ends. Then write.

The second part is to realize that you get ideas all the time. None have to be perfectly executed. Perfection is the enemy of the good. You can always take an idea you've used and write from it again. And once you have a completed story, maybe you'll realize it's a treatment for a bigger story. Go ahead and expand it, with caveat that you must complete it today or at the latest, tomorrow. Chunk it down. You can use the same technique on longer works. Just know how all your chapters end as well as how the story ends. But master short story completion first.

Write every day, if you can. The SF great Ray Bradbury wrote a story every day for years before he got published. I'll bet most were pure manure. You sound like a writer who should best write short and fast before distraction sets in. Go do it. Even if you are in bed. Get up. Write the damn story. And don't think about having a problem. Think about getting up an writing instead. The habit of writing takes practice. So...

Practice. Are you writing now?

6675543 I currently have a fic in the #1 slot in the feature box.
What do I do? Do I lay back and rest in my laurels while the likes, comments, and followers roll in? FUCK NO!
I don't even wait for that story to cool down before I'm back at it.
Ideas are easy. Ideas come all the time while you're cutting the grass or shoveling snow or showering. Write them down. I have a whole list of ideas waiting to be written. I do, you do, everyone does.
But ideas seldom come at the same time as motivation.

As 6675555 said, it's not about ideas, it's about discipline!
WRITE.
That's it.
Period.
Full stop.
Write!
Something. Anything. Even if it's nonsense garbage! Keep your fingers moving.
If you get writers block on one thing, move on to something else for a break. But keep writing.
Write something terrible ON PURPOSE!
You need to use reverse psychology on your own creative brain. That will make you want to go back to the project that you care about. And you will have the energy and MOMENTUM to keep those fingers moving.
I did a whole blog post especially about this subject.
But the bottom line is to write, and keep on writing, and don't stop.

6675543
As I'm writing I'll construct soundtracks of music that matches the overall mood or story I'm trying to write. The first novel I wrote (unpublished, sorry) I used the soundtrack/score to Disney's Hunchback of Notre Dame because the main character embodied the same trope as Quasimodo. This technique not only keeps the same emotion alive as when I started, but it can revive the emotion even years later.

6676003
I don't write as often as I'd like at the moment, so relaxing and taking time off is the most I do.

6676004
I'm simply unsure if I can, I get insecure when it comes to writing unfamiliar or strange stuff, a lot of which isn't even pony related (but I don't really know where else to publish fiction)

6676008
As I've said, writing, and only writing for the sake of the action feels too alien for me. When I write, I'm normally careful and slow when writing to not make mistakes (which you'll argue I should disregard completely unless I decide to go with it), I'm just not very disciplined (didn't help my parents were always too busy to help with my problems, generally just telling me to deal with it or fix it myself; that entailed me simply avoiding the problem most of the time, so discipline is quite foreign for me.)

6676030
I never start writing without something to help ease my mind a bit, if anything, silence is a huge distraction. I always have something playing, whether it be classical music, metal, rock n' roll, space music, or just white sound from a storm. It doesn't always work the best, but it helps regardless.

6676260 You can lead a horse to water...

You're asking a buff person how to get buff. They tell you to lift weights. And you're saying that the weights are heavy. Yes. Some effort is going to be involved here. You wanted advice on how to keep motivated to write an idea. We've given it. You can either use it or reject it. That choice is yours. But at this point, any justifications for the latter choice (like blaming your parents) are just excuses.

6676262
I don't outright blame them, they were too busy 99% of the time, the problem is me not knowing how to fix my problem. I am thankful that you're all helping, I just need to find a way to apply said fixes to how I write.

I want a job, however since I turned 16, my parents have been too busy to get me the things needed for a state ID, then a job. I'm hoping the job I want will help apply discipline where I need it, and add motivation as well. As I've said, I don't hate or blame them, I wish they could have done a better job at being parents, sure, any kid would, but I don't blame them for working to make sure I have a home, a bed, internet, electricity, and anything I own personally.

I could get myself into a habit, keep myself fit, but what happens when I don't have the tools needed to stay in that shape or get stronger?

6676264
Look, pretty much as 6676262 perfectly put it, it boils down to two choices: Either you do or you don't.

- Make sure you know how the story goes before you put a word down. Beginning, middle, ending. Don't half-ass it by starting when you don't know what the middle (which is 80% of the story) is.

- Distractions are always there. Everyone faces them. The difference is you have to ignore them and focus on your work. There is no magic pill. You just push through it.

my parents have been too busy to get me the things needed for a state ID, then a job.

Much like everything, including writing, you can't wait on others to do things for you or the solution to come down from the sky in a magic light. Go and do it yourself.

I could get myself into a habit, keep myself fit, but what happens when I don't have the tools needed to stay in that shape or get stronger?

You go get the tools.

6676296
I'll do it.

I don't think I could get myself the ID if I wanted to, I can't legally drive, I don't know where the post office is, or where to have them send the letter. It sounds like excuses, but I'm not an adult, and I don't know certain things, and believe it or not, Google doesn't have the answer to everything.

I can't get a tool I need if it's out of my reach.

And seriously, I have this page faved, and I'll be looking back here as often as I need to. Thank you to everyone who's tried to help.

6676307

I can't legally drive,

Take a bus / taxi/ uber. I didn't own a car until I was 27, yet I worked full time since I was 17.

I don't know where the post office is, or where to have them send the letter. It sounds like excuses, but I'm not an adult, and I don't know certain things, and believe it or not, Google doesn't have the answer to everything.

The bus / taxi / uber driver will know where the local post office is. That's their job.
The post office will know where to send 'the letter' for the same reason.
Also, to get a state ID, you want to be going to the Department of Motor Vehicles.
The bus / taxi / uber driver will know where that is too.
Also, none of this should affect your ability to write.

I can't get a tool I need if it's out of my reach.

6675543 Here's what I think you're doing wrong: You're trying to write the story in one go, but then you write yourself into a corner.

Perhaps you could try a different approach.
Let's say that one night before you go to sleep or when you wake up, you fantasize get a vision about horny Twilight. As soon as your hands are free, write that down.

Horny Twilight.

In the morning, write it down in your GDoc of ideas and extend it a bit.

Twilight struggles with being in heat.

See, now you even have a conflict. When you get some free hands, try to make up a beginning and an ending.

Twilight wakes up super horny. She tries to find a reason for her state and a solution, but it's kind of hard to do when her mind is elsewhere. In the end, she uses her power of multitasking to find a solution but then decides to not implement it. She embraces her new self, instead.

There you go. A whole story. You can't write yourself into a corner anymore. Now you just need to find the will to keep the hands off yourself stop procrastinating and write down the details in between.

6676326
Look, I did something I didn't expect I'd do or even have success in doing, I'm currently working on getting myself a schedule where my phone will tell me when I do something. My mornings will be me focusing on half of my school, and getting myself ready for the day. Mid-day will have me focus on the rest of my school, and late day will have me focus on exercising, and I'm even dedicating 3 hours to writing. When I said I didn't expect I'd be doing this, I didn't expect I'd actually be able to cut a deal with my mother, that I will set up a healthy routine, for getting her to take the steps needed so I can get my state ID.

I'm saying you're 100% correct, I'm going to do it whether I want to or not, and thanks for the advice even though it should have been common sense for me. I'll heed your advice, and everyone else's, I do plan on doing something rather than nothing.

Lastly, your right, they were excuses, and I'll be fixing myself now in the process.

6676327
I wouldn't write that, but I get what you're saying, write down new ideas I get.

Thanks.