Writing discipline

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I ask this question to those here who spend most of their spare time writing, or at least enjoys it to a degree that you indulge in it often, and those who have turned it into a living of any kind.

How do you keep writing? My largest problem with writing is that I lack the discipline needed to take all the time I need and write what's already stuck inside my head. I've enjoyed writing since I first "discovered" it when I was in the eighth grade and ever since I've been happy dabbing in it from time to time. But now that I have come to a fork in my life I have to decide which new ground I'm going to tread.

I have always believed that we all have a certain talent that we are born with and according to some of those who have taken part in my writing they believe that it is my talent. But I worry. I've never been good with having discipline with "work" when it's not enforced by somebody else. I've never had problems with discipline when I've worked more ordinary jobs, some might say I even went a bit overboard, but without a clear structure I have a hard time really dedicating time to my writing.

How can I change this? I'm still not sure I wish to pursue a career as and author but I can't simply let it go without giving it all I have first.

I would appreciate any input.

I have done a good deal of writing of poetry and prose but my discipline arises out of having something really interesting to write about. Subjects occur to me randomly and good ideas come and go and must be noted down when they come. If you set up an idea file in your computer you should find that some remain worth pursuing and some have not enough substance to bother with after some time passes. If you don't record them they may be lost so it is important to record them.

i have great characters, great plots, and great themes, but i hate how i write. i realize every artist is his own worst critic, but i dont think im a good writer. i wish all the great ideas in my head could show up in print. when i reread what i read it seems so contrived. this really bums me out, i spend so much energy and time trying to create a great story.

I are writer most extraordinarie.

Keep banging on the keys.

It is personal, getting those stories out of your head.

The cure for bad writing is do it! First take out the garbage!

Universal writing has no market, what works is one point of view, be yourself, I know, I am weird to, but do it.

Enjoy it, write for yourself. This is not for fame, fortune, a Degree, it is a personal art for enjoyment.

All plots and characters are contrived, we are simple monkeys!

The Greeks said seven plots, seven characters, and that is it.

It is a form with limits, so explore the space within.

some people have what it takes to just make themselves sit down and write.
i can't.

i have to come up with ways to trick myself.

my advice is to find a way to make the habit of writing (anything) as casual and second nature as say, daydreaming/zoning out, or standing in front of the fridge. have a small notebook and pen bolted to you at all times. and then force yourself to write absolutely anything in it, whenever you sit down to wait, are bored, are on the toilet, on public transport....

the more you write. the better you get. i think that the more crap i write, the better, because then i am getting all the crap out. but also the more chances i have of striking a golden writing moment. it's also fun to try to write as badly as possible. once writing becomes a habit then you are better equipped for when you want to settle down and do some 'serious' writing.

good luck

You need to look at writing like a sport. Let's take boxing. Do you expect to go Pro the very first time you get into the ring? Of course not. You start off as an amatuar where only fight three rounds, not tweleve. Then when go Pro the rounds start to increase. First start at three, then goes to five, then eight, then ten, then tweleve.

Same goes for writing. Sitting down and trying to punch out a full length novel your first time is like going 15 rounds in your first fight.

Need to start slow and build yourself up. Write short articles, then small short stories, then mini-novel, and then novel length stories.

Inspiration is not something you can synthesise. I write what I write - music, poetry, full songs, stories, even raps - when the inspiration strikes and at no other time. Sometimes you have a good period, sometimes you have a fallow period.

The only advice I can give you is to write what you can whenever you can. If you get an idea, write it down, save it for later. When you hit on something you're really passionate about, the commitment will be there long enough to get it done.