I keep trying to write stories, but can never finish!

Well, i suppose it depends on what kind of problems you're running into(i.e. why you lose interest). a good way to keep motivated, is to have a message, in your story. then you can build around that central theme/moral/message, and have some guidance. You can try making characters that you/others can relate to, and placing thme in conflicts that you feel strongly about. Another good way to stay motivated is to join a writers forum, and ask for help, or for critique/advice (if you choose to post your work in progress). Writing an outline before you start, and setting some deadlines can help. Have you ever heard of NaNoWriMo?

I sort of have the same problem. My thing is not I can't think of anything, but I keep getting sidetracked. I am the worst on getting sidetracked. I even start to sidetrack my husband and he just say's stop sidetracking or I will never get anything done. And, he was right. I find if I use my tape recorder and just start telling the story to my kids while letting my husband change the tape's. I get the story done and then I just listen and type. Then, I add a little to fix some parts up until I am done. Now, I just got to get published! You can try that and see if it helps. Good luck!

I have written quite a few stories and did stumble on the dilemma that you are facing of not being able to finish it. My style is to write an outline of how the story should run. If you need to add a character in order to finish the plot, do so. Also, I proof read when the story is finished, because if I proof read before I finish the story, that's when it doesn't get finished. ^-^

Okay, I have experienced this very often. I don't write fiction stories though, but I write articles. I will get all these ideas and sit down and write some things down or type in my computer. Then I stop. I just don't have enough things to say about it. The some other things caught my interest and I start all over again. I have discarded so many files on my desktop that are in my "In Progress" folder early this year and wanted to start anew. How I overcome this problem? I would brainstorm for all my points for that article before I began writing them. Then I try to write them all in one sitting, as quickly as I could. Then edit. I know you probably can't write everything at one shot for fiction writing, but I guess if you have in mind how the story will end, it may motivate you to complete it. I don't know, just a suggestion. Another thing I did was to write shorter pieces. Sometimes I have 10 points in my articles. When I'm not so inspired, I may write 5 points instead and still write a good piece. Maybe you can try writing short stories first. Oops! I actually assume you are writing a long piece...

Try any of the following. 1) Attempt to complete short stories, even if only for one page or less. The point here is getting used to write until you reach the end. 2) Write stories that you know of, from your personal experiences or from those close to you. You know the ending so it will be relatively easy to write about it. 3) Free form writing with the use of diagrams or mind maps. It helps in seeing the flow of the story and where it should end. I was a contract writer and had to produce 256 pages of written work per month, consisting short stories. I used my own stories to start with and later on things worked out well when it came to writing more stories. all the best, rosdimy

I've had problems like that since Eve: that feeling that you know you've got a good story going on, but then sometimes things happen and you have to stop. Sometimes you get sleepy, or your hands hurt, or you just plain need time off of paper. Dude, here's what you can do: keep the story. Just plain keep it. Sometimes there really are stories that aren't meant to be finished yet. So just keep it someplace--encode it if you will, and then when the right time comes you pick up on it again and write ahoy. One thing I do is I write straight up from the start, and then when another idea comes I write it as well. And then weave them all together. I also keep a doodle notebook--in case the good ideas come, I write a sentence about it, and then think about it a little later on.

i also sometimes feel like you... not in the sense of writing a story because i don't really like to write... but in doing other things that i like... i also seem to stop halfway and unable to finish it because i ran out of ideas... what i do during those times is to take time off, ask people for opinion and come back to it again later... take care and have a nice day...

I don't think I can add much to what everyone else has said - boredom, distractions, write what you know (experience), etc. are all good points. And editing while you are writing is also a no-no. The common term is to puke it out then revise after. Writing an outline might be helpful. A story needs a beginning, a middle and an end. If you don't have all three in mind then you don't have a story. I have started short stories from writing prompts in my writing group and haven't finished them just because I didn't know where to go with them. After all, they were ten minute writing prompts. Now I keep my novel in mind when I write from prompts so I can hopefully add to it. Other ideas are fantasies. I don't mean the genre of fantasy but fantasies that you may have had at one time or another. Something you wish would happen to you, or something you are afraid will happen to you. I probably haven't been much help since everyone else said it all. I wish you much luck.

I used to have this problem too. To cure it, I've entered a story a month contest with an entry fee of 12 pounds. If I don't finish a story every month, I get eliminated from the contest. This gives me incentive to complete the stories I work on. And, also, the fact that I've paid money which I will lose is another motivator. Try doing something like this. It may help you. It did me.

I think if you keep close to home when you first start out you will be more apt to stay with it and come to a full conclusion in the story. By close to home I mean writing more of about life as you know it and not go way out there too much at first. Keep your ideas that you have come up with until later on. It isn't easy writing fiction. An outline may be of help too.

I have that happen a lot. I call it creative bankrupcy. What I do is just set it aside for a time or two. Maybe a week, a month. Even set it aside for a year too. Then I'll pick it back up and read it, from the begining. As I'm reading other idea pop into my head and I'll take notes or if it starts to gush out I sit back down behind the computer and get get more out. I think it's hard to force it. So I'll write about so much. Think about it. Read the story and then either it happens or it doesn't. Creativity is a wonderful thing, but it can be a fickle animal too. To be honest, mylot has helped pull more out of me and give me ideas because of all the interesting people (characters) and discussions (potential story lines). I think you have to view things as if there is a story in everything. It's just putting all the pieces together to make it all work.

Get an inspiration, write with your heart, write about your interests and make sure you are in the mood.. HAPPY WRITING!!

This happens to everyone for sure, so its pretty normal. It's the same way when your reading a book you don't read it non stop do you there are slower parts that you just put down and leave for later. What I do is just wait a while and then come back to the story. Maybe try writing another story about something totally different and alternate between the two. I know I have like ten stories going right now a couple of novels and several short stories. Writing is a slow process and you just have to be patient with it.

i cant say that im a good writter but i know how to finish my stories..i can think directly and i know what to do next...what i do is i think of my interest,i like love stories..and im inspired of making a lot of it.i put myself in the story i imagine that im in that situation.or you can make it in a real life story cause reality is easy to think..make sure that you have the compassion and love in that certain story you are making.be creative and imaginative.that will help a lot...thats how i make one..even a poem i can easily make it in just a minutes.cause thats my interest and likes..hope i this could help you.happy posting!

Story writing is an art and it requires an uninterrupted flow of thoughts. The important thing is not to loose patience or getting bogged down. Play with ideas, give your thoughts a loose run and you'll see your story getting your desired shape.

Some people call it "writer's block." I'm a writer also, and it happens to me now. Sometimes it occurs for days or even for hours. At first, I got difficulties while trying to overcome it. Many methods offer me to handle it. But, I have my own method. "Writer's block" is closely related to boredom. Most of writers work alone in their room, so quiet that nobody hard to find them. Try this: get along with others, don't stuck in your room. It seems that I wasted my time while performing it at first. However, it is very valuable. I got many ideas while getting along with others. Socializing makes me smarter. I don't know how about you. :-)

oh ,I also like writing, I like write novel, you know it is also a good way to earn moey if your novel is very poupular online, but it is not a easy thing, I like write novel in a calm eviroment,especially in the night,some times ,when I feel tired, and with no inspiration, I 'll go to bed ,close my eyes ,that is a good way to relax myself. you could turn to do the other things instead of writing when you have on interest, I think you will find more interesting things in your life ,that will do a help to your writing.

if u have will in u to write and complete story, u can write. put a goal about writing stories. put a goal that u will write in one day or one week. then u can some stories. u can take more time also ,but u should have good mood to write stories. so think where and in which place u have good mood and just sit for writing.complete it in u;r targetted period. as u only told, u are a good writer, u can acheive u;r goal soon ,i think.

I too am a fairly good writer and I have come across this problem more than a few times in my life,LOL. I think that it is a very common problem amoung writers. Whenever I come across this kind of problem, I ask my family for some ideas. Most of the time, just their support is enough to give me the idea I am looking for. Other times if I am really stuck, I look to the internet for inspiration. Just looking at some pics and sites, can sometimes generate a wealth of information and ideas. Never give up, sometimes the best thing that you can do is put the story aside. Most writers keep a journal of ideas, your started stories could just be the beginning. Who knows maybe some day you will find the inspiration that you are looking for to finish your story. I would love to read some of your work sometime.

i like to write stories/books too. but only its hard for me to begin them but once i finally get them started i can just go on and on and on. hope this helps!