Writing is hard
My best friend is a professional writer. He hasn't published anything in 2 years. That's not from lack of trying, but somewhat like you, he's not satisfied with what he writes.

What he *does* have though is a routine. Sits at the desk for 2 hours in the morning minimum. 3 hours in the afternoon minimum. Turns off his internet access during those times by parental control (password controlled by his g/f). He's generating tons of stuff, and at some point, will be able to go back and massage his writings into publihsed material. It's a grind, but a grind writers have to do.

Could you get into the rhythm and discipline of doing those hours? I'd say a work ethic is the one common factor in all successful writers. I may be completely wrong, of course ;)
( Claws of Doom I am no longer infected, Fri 25 Jun 2010, 10:16, 1 reply)

problem there is
that i need to work a 9 to 5 job to pay the bills, i would LIKE to have time to sit down and just write (thats generally when i do the most when i spend the evening with a note book in my room away from the temptations of internet or TV) but a lot of the time i am so mentally drained from my job that the idea of picking up a pen again just makes me want to cry, then there is the problem of still maintaining a social life which kicks the weekend in the balls.

I was tempted to quit my job and moving back into my parants and just working part time to make just enough for food and board but not enough to go out every weekend, but instead i got a mortgage and so now i can't quit my job.

I think work ethic is certainly the most important part of becoming successful and i'd like to think that i am fairly disciplined in general its just finding the time to apply it to a creative pursuit.
(That Random Guy, Fri 25 Jun 2010, 10:38, closed)

Make your choice
"there is the problem of still maintaining a social life which kicks the weekend in the balls"

Well, tough. If you want to have a social life, and you want to pay a mortgage, and you want to write something, you're going to have to make a sacrifice somewhere, because you're not going to do all of these. Particularly if they're really excuses for not writing the great masterwork. However, since your profile says your occupation is lurking on B3ta, I don't think you'd lose much money if you jacked your job in.

A 9 to 5 job isn't that much. I managed to write a novel last November at the same time as pulling a 50 hour work week, without eliminating my social life, and without giving up going out and exercising. Perhaps you don't really want to do it that much. Or perhaps I didn't write a very good novel. But the great is the enemy of the good, etc etc.

If you do want to do it, change your schedule so it allows you to do these things.
Stop wasting time on B3ta.
Disconnect the television.
If you're too tired to write in the evening, get up earlier and write in the morning.
(mrweasel, Fri 25 Jun 2010, 11:53, closed)