So I recently published my debut novel, which is a standalone story. I've been working on a sequel for it because I love my characters and there's still a lot of worldbuilding to explore and have fun with, but I'm struggling with the actual plot of it.

For the first book, I pantsed probably 90% of it. It just flowed out of me, like the story was forcing me to tell it. But now with the sequel, I feel like it's the opposite -- that I'm trying to force a story that doesn't need/want to be told. And I feel like whatever I come up with won't compare with the debut.

I'm not sure if I'm just overthinking things, or if my pantser-brain can't plot things properly, or if I'm approaching things from the wrong angle. Or maybe a sequel truly doesn't need to exist.

Has anyone else had this problem? If so, how did you navigate it? Should I just wait to see if inspiration strikes, or should I write any old thing and edit the hell outta it (like I did with the debut)?

Edit: I'm not sure why I had to label this as sensitive content 😅

I'm never worried about changing things just because nothing can ever be original, but I was wondering if I could get a second opinion on this?

I started watching a show for the first time and the main character not only shares the same last name as my main character, but they also share the same occupation (and title), and some similar and very clearly identifying physical traits as well. If that's not enough, this show is in the same genre of literature I'm writing, the second main character has the same vices and quirks as my second main character as well, and there's a minor female character with a very specific and random cultural name in the first episode which I also happen to have a small minor female character of the same name that's mentioned at the beginning of my book. I started thinking I was tripping watching this show.

Now obviously my story's not exactly the same, but I feel like maybe the main character's name is the worst offender here. But the issue is that I really like this name, I chose it with careful purpose, and it's been the same for the last 8 years when I first came up with my story. Although, I'm worried that since this is a known show, someone might eventually think I ripped it off. Would you guys change the name or just stick with it anyway?

It has been so long since I've written an essay and I seem to have forgotten how to actually write a good one or even write one. It's frustrating. I'm in college now studying engineering and everything is mathematics, we rarely sit down to write freely. And when we do write it's all laboratory reports with given templates. I am fully aware that I've never been good at writing ever since, but at least before I actually get to write in highschool.

Yesterday we had this minor subject that required us to write essay in my own languange in 30 minutes as our midterm. I feel like I actually flunked it. Everything was all over the place. I've gotten so used in English that I actually cannot translate my thoughts to my first languange.

I feel so bad, that I'm planning on writing essays everyday now so I can train myself. Do you guys have any advice to improve my writing?

I have been wanting to write a book for a long time now, around the story of a cult leader that goes undercover to keep its members in check. There's a lot more to it than that, but, that's the general basis.

I have done a lot of research, and have a pretty good idea of many of its themes, characters, personalities, world, and events. But, when it comes to actually figuring out how I want to write the book... I feel stuck. I have sat myself down at my computer for hours on end, just staring at the screen, without distraction. But, nothing works. One moment I want to write from the perspective of the leader, the next moment I want to write from the perspective of a new member, and then suddenly I want to write from the perspective of someone born in the cult. The only theme that truly stays consistent is the fact that I want to write from the first person through a diary system. But... I can't quite figure out how, or who, or why or where to even start.

Does anyone have any exercises they could recommend? Or just general advice? Or perhaps even, could someone offer up their own process for writing??

Hi everyone,

So, as written in the title, I'm currently revising the first draft of a short novel I wrote. Quick context, I do not plan on publishing it, it's just for me. Still, I want it to be not terrible, you get it.

The problem is that while in the first draft, I was super sloppy with everything, because it's not the final one. This time, however, I think I won't have the motivation to work it over a third time, so this one will be the final draft for now (besides a grammar check for the sparkling finish haha).

But, as it turns out, I constantly rethink every single word, wonder if I'm using too simple sentence structure, hyperanalyse anything and everything. Keep in mind, all that without plans on publishing it.

I want to finish the second draft eventually, but my perfectionism makes it a lot more difficult than I initially hoped.

Thank you for reading, sorry for yapping so much, and I'd be very grateful for any advise on how to look at my work in a tad more relaxed way.

I'm writing a Seawalkers fanfiction, and in the Wood/Seawalkers books, one of their classes basically teaches them about civilised society to avoid the walkers that grew up mostly animalistic to do weird things in public or possibly get arrested. I'm writing a scene that takes place in one of these classes, but I don't know what topic should be adressed in this day's class. To get an idea, the scene takes place somewhere 2nd/3rd week of september, and the students have this class once a week, so they definitely didn't come that far yet.

So now I am asking you, if you were assigned to teach at a Seawalker-school at the Belgian coast, what laws of social mechanics would you teach your students? And since half the class are practically animals in human form, how would you tackle the subjects?

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HgqTFsLBmp9-QvW__CMFBkOGWpYPQ6EchekTuQxJBjM/edit?tab=t.0
Please let me know what you think and leave advice WHEREVER! I added a few spots where I was more uncertain. I'm very passionate about this. Currently it is simply setting up the world and the characters. I haven't really gotten to a whole lot of the true synopsis yet, but I'll add it here anyways just for funsies.

My biggest concern is overall tone, characterization, and pace. Does it make sense? is it too much all at once? Is it redundant or wordy?

Overall, this is the synopsis:

Caelis, a boy taken in by the monks, hides a dangerous secret: he has erratic, terrifying visions of the future. When the ruthless Church of Ignesh discovers his gift and comes to execute him, his strict abbot, Cormach, forces him into a brutal exile. Thrust into a fractured nation, Caelis becomes a reluctant fugitive tracking whispers of a "true faith" to guide an angry, oppressed populace. But what begins as a flight for survival spirals into conspiracies and sacrifices as Caelis uncovers missing pieces of history, redacted scriptures, and the ruins of a forgotten war.

Meanwhile, Princess Aelheime unearths her own dangerous clues within the royal palace. As her path crosses with Caelis, she must choose between her family’s crown or a heretic's unraveling conspiracy. With apocalyptic demons beginning to overrun the island, Caelis must piece together a web of political betrayal and staggering foundational lies before the world burns around them.

I have started journaling pretty recently and I want to write about more things/topics in my journal.

I have 3 entries so far from the past two week. In them I wrote about my college life, plans for Halloween, my goals before the year ends, what I did today, things that I found meaningful, and an idea for a game.

I have tried writing about my feelings but just couldn't do it. I want more topics/ideas that I can write about. Does anyone have any suggestions?

I've been having this vision in my mind for quite a while. I struggled, and it took me hours to pen this down. I do read books quite a bit, yet descriptive writing is not my strongest forte. I take mental notes whilst reading whenever I stumble upon anything I deem beautiful or interesting or makes me go, "I didn't know this could be described this way!" But when I actually open my laptop, feeling ready to write every vision I have, I just sit vacantly, staring at the blank page for hours. Eventually, I give up and call it a day. I have always wanted to write, ever since I started reading books. But I always said to myself, "I'll definitely write someday," and I never did. Today, I pushed myself to write whatever came to my mind. And here it is:

Content warnings: Body image issues, self-loathing, social media comparison, blood.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-zneOw-Yr0Uyqko9sZo6aehBtpwEgaEOTRaXLgJBzVM/edit?usp=sharing

It has no structure, because I don't happen to know one. I did not have any standards to meet either; I just typed out the image I had (of course I did some tweaks here and there).

Please help a girl out here.

I've been writing some nice little stories about things that I care about and the occasional vision in my dreams but every time I get to a new chapter everything just shuts down and stops working and my brain doesn't let me continue for like 4 months. I have the ideas but I just can't be bothered. How do I be bothered enough to do it.

TW: Allegory for SA; discussion of psychological abuse

Conceptus-Memoria Erado (from latin — Concept-Memory Deletion) - special operation, that delete comprehension of concepts and memories from person.

How it's works — If somebody would delete concepts and memories of positive emotions from their victim, then they're can only feel negative emotions or somebody can turn fighter defenseless by erasing their concepts and memories about tactical, weapons, battle and fighting skills, making them defenseless. It causes severe psychological torment of their victims, since they're aware that something is wrong, but cant understand it.

I took inspiration from amnestics from SCP Foundation.

I consider this a great potential for psychological horror and well allegory for sexual assault, since it is violation of person's mind. But of course I want to make research on this topic to tackle it with care and seriousness it is deserves.

Note: as you're rightfully point out that calling it "De-personalization" — real life psychological phenomenon, is offensive and tasteless, and now I'm understand it. I'm sincerely apologize for making unfortunate implications.

I've been brainstorming a story for about 2 years and a half, I even put out the first official chapter, to deviantart, but the more ideas I get, the more indecisive I get, I think I'm satisfied with the first idea, only to them think if this idea is better or "maybe this one is cooler", or "is this too much like "blank"". what could I do to find that sweet spot where you can write without second guessing the story?