How do I write more?

I feel like I can’t write a lot of words at a time. Like, it takes me an entire day to write 500 words.

I don’t think the problem is lack of ideas. I know exactly how I want the story to play out, but I just cannot convert my thoughts into words. The story that I’m writing just feels off somehow, I don’t even know how to describe it. Like, it feels like corporate art style but in word form

I get distracted very easily and its hard to sit down and do stuff for long periods of time. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to improve on this?

Something that I like to do as someone whose schedule varies from day to day is simply write whenever I think of my story (which is often).

For example, you are currently on lunch break and you remembered your story. So you can type some words on a google docs or something then get back to it later.

So basically, it is better to do short yet productive increments of writing than long unproductive sessions of non-writing. Even just 3-5 sessions of 5 minutes can make a lot of difference in writing.

I can go on and on, but breaking the story into smaller tasks really helps. You can take it one scene or one stanza at a time. I actually have some poems that I have not finished that spanned for a few weeks already. But the thought of those poems and stories are already ingrained in me so my brain reminds itself to get back to those stories, and by then the ideas would have formed.

So it is alright, I guess it is normal for most writers to experience this.

I’m not sure if this lengthy chunk of advice helps, but I hope it did! (Sorry if it is a bit all over the place too hahaha)

Have you spent much time studying story structure? A lot can happen between the moment a protagonist encounters a problem and the point where they finally overcome it. Understanding the fundamentals of story structure can provide a clearer roadmap for developing your plot.

Most stories begin by introducing the main character and establishing their world, often hinting that something is out of balance. Then comes the inciting incident, which forces the protagonist to make a choice. They may hesitate at first, and the challenge is rarely as simple as deciding whether to act or not. More often, they must determine how to respond, with their background and experiences shaping that decision.

As the story progresses toward the climax, the protagonist usually makes early attempts to solve the problem that are incomplete, misguided, or ineffective. Around the midpoint, a major setback often occurs. The stakes rise dramatically, and the protagonist may feel defeated. At this stage, they gain a deeper understanding of what is at risk and how formidable the opposition truly is.

In the latter part of the story, the protagonist becomes more proactive. Rather than simply reacting to events, they take initiative and confront the challenge directly. This leads into the climax, where the central conflict reaches its peak, followed by the resolution.

Of course, this is only a broad overview, and not every story follows this pattern. However, many successful narratives use some variation of it.

Another technique that has helped me is treating each chapter as its own mini-story. This encourages me to think carefully about the purpose of each scene and ensures that every part of the narrative receives proper attention.

Reading more can also be extremely valuable. One exercise I find useful is reading a chapter from a book similar to the one I'm writing, then attempting to recreate it from memory or analyze how it works. This often reveals areas where I've rushed through important details or overlooked opportunities for deeper development. Comparing your work to that of published authors can be enlightening, though the goal isn't necessarily to imitate their style.

One thing you may be overlooking is introspection. Internal reflection helps readers understand why a character's goals matter and what is emotionally at stake. While some writers worry that introspection slows the pace, too little of it can make a story feel like a series of events without much significance. Giving readers access to a character's thoughts and emotions often adds the weight and meaning that make the story compelling.