Definitely don't rush 🙂 I like focusing on one thing at a time so I can keep it all in my head. For example, right now, I'm revising the plot and cutting out everything that doesn't serve the story I want to tell. I wound up with a lot of subplots that just don't need to be there, and going scene by scene and writing down what happens is like shining a big light on whether or not that scene is even needed, and if so, why actually needs to stay. I might also do a past just for red flag words, or to check all my dialogue tags. Whatever I know needs to be double checked or looked at.

Very true. But you can't include every variable in every post, hard as I try, lol.

That's pretty common for new writers, Tonya, so don't worry 🙂 Odds are good you're still figuring out your story and your process, and what works for you. You'll probably need to try different things before you find what really clicks with you.

If you're having trouble knowing what they do and say, you could try outlining and planning your scenes before you write. Or you might look at story and scene structure and see what makes a good scene for some ideas. Maybe you just aren't sure how the mechanics of scenes work yet.

You might also try looking at your main conflict. Often, writers struggle because they don't know what problem the protagonist is trying to solve in the book, so they have nothing to plot toward.

Another common issue is trying to plot with an internal conflict, such as "find love" or "get over grief." Those are great issues, but there's nothing concrete and external for your characters to do, so there's no plot. Look at what your character might do to "find love" or "get over grief." Join a dating site? Seek therapy?

You also don't need to write every day. I know that goes against a lot of advice out there, but I'm not an everyday writer. I get burned out if I don't get time off. I write during the week, but don't write on weekends.

I hope something here helps you!

It's not just you 🙂 We all do it. Revision smudge is tops on my list of reasons why all writers need crit partners, lol. It's impossible to catch smudge on your own. We know our stories too well, so it all makes sense, even when it doesn't.

I know, those are the hardest. I've have a few myself and one I'm STILL struggling with.

I just love how the slightest shift in perspective can make a huge difference in how we write or how we approach our writing. I think it's about figuring out what works for our process or our brain.

You're most welcome. I hope at least one of them works for you!

Excellent point, Denise. A good critiquer or editor is invaluable.

Thanks for the comment, Gini. Happy writing!