I’m currently reading Dracula by Bram Stoker and am in awe at how well it has been planned out and all the hints and events that lead to something important in the story. Everytime I read something I am in disbelief in how intelligent one would have to be to write and publish a book. How do they find the passion, determination, and skill to do such a thing? Are they just gifted? Did they have to study and practice for years before executing it? I dont understand how someone who is human like me could have such an otherworldly ability to connect to others through words.
Almost done with my first book but I’ve done a lot of scripts, and the thing that stopped me from even trying was exactly what you just said. It seems like a herculean task. And yes, it isn’t easy to write something good, but all it takes is an idea that you want to explore. Then you sit your ass down and start writing.
The thing that helped me the most was to never edit until the story or complete outline are done. Even leave spelling mistakes. Just get through it. Once you have that rough draft, that’s when you can go back and make it look like you knew what you were doing all along.
But even still I have no idea how someone like George RR Martin does it. He has to keep track of so much stuff he literally has a staff of people to keep it straight.