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ph8brp
|
writing_train
| 0.82 |
Any advices on how to overcome the struggle with mechanical part of the writing? This is the only thing that I'm concerned about now. I used to have problems with dialogue building, plot holes, plot in general going nowhere, and so on. But the biggest problem of them all was always the mechanical writing. It always feels so overwhelming and tedious. And borderline impossible from time to time. For the past 2 years I've written in short bursts, lasting about a week (usually less), after which I can't type even a word for about a month. I have the paragraphs, I constantly vocally practice already made dialogues, and re-read written stuff about once in a week. But I can never just sit down and create a habit of it. Of just spending at least an hour a day on typing in Word. Even though my current job is rather uneventful one, with shifts lasting for 12 hrs. I've heard that mechanical part is the easiest for most people, but how exactly do you overcome it? Or how does one make a habit out of something they have so much resistance against. Back in college, I tried to make a habit out of studying, having to spend at least 3 pages on it each day. Even though it lasted for a whole year, eventually I just stopped.
|
hbgom3k
|
hbj7txp
| 1,630,686,089 | 1,630,729,796 | 4 | 5 |
You're getting too deep into that part. You should be telling yourself the story and getting down your own voice and not what you think someone expects it to look like. This is the creative part, imagining the scene and describing it to yourself. Hearing and speaking the dialog and writing it down. It doesn't make a rat's ass if it's misspelled or ungrammatical, you hire editors with degrees in English to fix it up.
|
I'm curious where you heard that the mechanical part of writing is the easiest part for most people, because it's been my experience and understanding that the mechanical part is the hard part. It's the work part of writing. There are some things you can try. You can experiment with time of day for writing sessions to see when you're most productive. Set a word count goal for writing sessions. Have a clear plan for what part of the story you're working on that you want to write for that session. One trick I've seen is to leave off a writing session in the middle of a sentence or a scene so you already have something in your mind to write when you start your next session. In that same vein, take breaks, don't sit and write until you can't write anymore because you'll burn yourself out. It also helps me to edit what I wrote last time before I start writing, to get myself back in the headspace of a story I'm working on. If you find that you have long periods of no writing between finishing a piece, on the other hand, give yourself that break without feeling guilty. There's nothing wrong with taking mental breaks when writing is such a mentally taxing endeavor.
| 0 | 43,707 | 1.25 | ||
ph8brp
|
writing_train
| 0.82 |
Any advices on how to overcome the struggle with mechanical part of the writing? This is the only thing that I'm concerned about now. I used to have problems with dialogue building, plot holes, plot in general going nowhere, and so on. But the biggest problem of them all was always the mechanical writing. It always feels so overwhelming and tedious. And borderline impossible from time to time. For the past 2 years I've written in short bursts, lasting about a week (usually less), after which I can't type even a word for about a month. I have the paragraphs, I constantly vocally practice already made dialogues, and re-read written stuff about once in a week. But I can never just sit down and create a habit of it. Of just spending at least an hour a day on typing in Word. Even though my current job is rather uneventful one, with shifts lasting for 12 hrs. I've heard that mechanical part is the easiest for most people, but how exactly do you overcome it? Or how does one make a habit out of something they have so much resistance against. Back in college, I tried to make a habit out of studying, having to spend at least 3 pages on it each day. Even though it lasted for a whole year, eventually I just stopped.
|
hbj7txp
|
hbgwqn6
| 1,630,729,796 | 1,630,689,456 | 5 | 3 |
I'm curious where you heard that the mechanical part of writing is the easiest part for most people, because it's been my experience and understanding that the mechanical part is the hard part. It's the work part of writing. There are some things you can try. You can experiment with time of day for writing sessions to see when you're most productive. Set a word count goal for writing sessions. Have a clear plan for what part of the story you're working on that you want to write for that session. One trick I've seen is to leave off a writing session in the middle of a sentence or a scene so you already have something in your mind to write when you start your next session. In that same vein, take breaks, don't sit and write until you can't write anymore because you'll burn yourself out. It also helps me to edit what I wrote last time before I start writing, to get myself back in the headspace of a story I'm working on. If you find that you have long periods of no writing between finishing a piece, on the other hand, give yourself that break without feeling guilty. There's nothing wrong with taking mental breaks when writing is such a mentally taxing endeavor.
|
Well, you need to look at your motivation to write. Are you genuinely interested in writing, or did you just turn your daydreams into stories and want to escape a 9-5? The answer will come to you there.
| 1 | 40,340 | 1.666667 | ||
ph8brp
|
writing_train
| 0.82 |
Any advices on how to overcome the struggle with mechanical part of the writing? This is the only thing that I'm concerned about now. I used to have problems with dialogue building, plot holes, plot in general going nowhere, and so on. But the biggest problem of them all was always the mechanical writing. It always feels so overwhelming and tedious. And borderline impossible from time to time. For the past 2 years I've written in short bursts, lasting about a week (usually less), after which I can't type even a word for about a month. I have the paragraphs, I constantly vocally practice already made dialogues, and re-read written stuff about once in a week. But I can never just sit down and create a habit of it. Of just spending at least an hour a day on typing in Word. Even though my current job is rather uneventful one, with shifts lasting for 12 hrs. I've heard that mechanical part is the easiest for most people, but how exactly do you overcome it? Or how does one make a habit out of something they have so much resistance against. Back in college, I tried to make a habit out of studying, having to spend at least 3 pages on it each day. Even though it lasted for a whole year, eventually I just stopped.
|
hbj7txp
|
hbgr9an
| 1,630,729,796 | 1,630,687,173 | 5 | 2 |
I'm curious where you heard that the mechanical part of writing is the easiest part for most people, because it's been my experience and understanding that the mechanical part is the hard part. It's the work part of writing. There are some things you can try. You can experiment with time of day for writing sessions to see when you're most productive. Set a word count goal for writing sessions. Have a clear plan for what part of the story you're working on that you want to write for that session. One trick I've seen is to leave off a writing session in the middle of a sentence or a scene so you already have something in your mind to write when you start your next session. In that same vein, take breaks, don't sit and write until you can't write anymore because you'll burn yourself out. It also helps me to edit what I wrote last time before I start writing, to get myself back in the headspace of a story I'm working on. If you find that you have long periods of no writing between finishing a piece, on the other hand, give yourself that break without feeling guilty. There's nothing wrong with taking mental breaks when writing is such a mentally taxing endeavor.
|
What did you use to write all this? >This is the only thing that I'm concerned about now. I used to have problems with dialogue building, plot holes, plot in general going nowhere, and so on. But the biggest problem of them all was always the mechanical writing. It always feels so overwhelming and tedious. And borderline impossible from time to time. > >For the past 2 years I've written in short bursts, lasting about a week (usually less), after which I can't type even a word for about a month. I have the paragraphs, I constantly vocally practice already made dialogues, and re-read written stuff about once in a week. But I can never just sit down and create a habit of it. Of just spending at least an hour a day on typing in Word. Even though my current job is rather uneventful one, with shifts lasting for 12 hrs. > >I've heard that mechanical part is the easiest for most people, but how exactly do you overcome it? Or how does one make a habit out of something they have so much resistance against. Back in college, I tried to make a habit out of studying, having to spend at least 3 pages on it each day. Even though it lasted for a whole year, eventually I just stopped.
| 1 | 42,623 | 2.5 | ||
ph8brp
|
writing_train
| 0.82 |
Any advices on how to overcome the struggle with mechanical part of the writing? This is the only thing that I'm concerned about now. I used to have problems with dialogue building, plot holes, plot in general going nowhere, and so on. But the biggest problem of them all was always the mechanical writing. It always feels so overwhelming and tedious. And borderline impossible from time to time. For the past 2 years I've written in short bursts, lasting about a week (usually less), after which I can't type even a word for about a month. I have the paragraphs, I constantly vocally practice already made dialogues, and re-read written stuff about once in a week. But I can never just sit down and create a habit of it. Of just spending at least an hour a day on typing in Word. Even though my current job is rather uneventful one, with shifts lasting for 12 hrs. I've heard that mechanical part is the easiest for most people, but how exactly do you overcome it? Or how does one make a habit out of something they have so much resistance against. Back in college, I tried to make a habit out of studying, having to spend at least 3 pages on it each day. Even though it lasted for a whole year, eventually I just stopped.
|
hbgr9an
|
hbgwqn6
| 1,630,687,173 | 1,630,689,456 | 2 | 3 |
What did you use to write all this? >This is the only thing that I'm concerned about now. I used to have problems with dialogue building, plot holes, plot in general going nowhere, and so on. But the biggest problem of them all was always the mechanical writing. It always feels so overwhelming and tedious. And borderline impossible from time to time. > >For the past 2 years I've written in short bursts, lasting about a week (usually less), after which I can't type even a word for about a month. I have the paragraphs, I constantly vocally practice already made dialogues, and re-read written stuff about once in a week. But I can never just sit down and create a habit of it. Of just spending at least an hour a day on typing in Word. Even though my current job is rather uneventful one, with shifts lasting for 12 hrs. > >I've heard that mechanical part is the easiest for most people, but how exactly do you overcome it? Or how does one make a habit out of something they have so much resistance against. Back in college, I tried to make a habit out of studying, having to spend at least 3 pages on it each day. Even though it lasted for a whole year, eventually I just stopped.
|
Well, you need to look at your motivation to write. Are you genuinely interested in writing, or did you just turn your daydreams into stories and want to escape a 9-5? The answer will come to you there.
| 0 | 2,283 | 1.5 | ||
szzp22
|
writing_train
| 0.9 |
How do you overcome difficulties with creating a plot? Hi, I don't know if anybody else has this problem, but I think my weakest area as a writer is plot. I love worldbuilding and character creation, and I truly believe I have interesting, fully-realized characters, but the thing is: I like the characters so much, it almost doesn't matter what happens in the story (to me, I know it matters to possible readers). I have been studying plot structure to try and overcome this and I really liked Dan Well's explanation of the 7 point plot structure. But even when I come up with all seven points for my story, it just doesn't seem like there's enough there for a whole book. I have experimented with pantsing and outlining, and I think I work better when I have an outline/know where I am going, but it's hard to finish an outline when you're weak at plot... Does anybody have any suggestions?
|
hy78pki
|
hy6x3ll
| 1,645,678,696 | 1,645,673,133 | 18 | 2 |
Craig Mazin is a screenwriter who wrote the Chernobyl series on HBO as well as a number of movies. He does a podcast called Scriptnotes with Jon August, who has also written a number of screenplays. I'm not a screenwriter -- I am an aspiring novelist, like you. But these guys have a lot of nuggets. Maybe you've listened to this already, but Craig spends one entire podcast by himself (Jon is visiting family) and he talks about how to write a screenplay. Or, to put it more simply, how to tell a story. It's honestly one of the best explanations about how to tell a story I've ever heard. His complaint is that 7 point plot structures and the hero's journey and everything else that people use to talk about stories are only useful as criticism: they are what people "discover" when they look at a movie (or a book) and then say: hey, this should happen, then this should happen, and then this should happen. They don't actually help people write stories. Craig wants to know WHY they should happen. And this speech is basically an encapsulation of his theory of writing. He walks through Finding Nemo, beginning with a Central Dramatic Argument, and then shows how everything that happens in the movie comes out of that Central Dramatic Argument. Here's the video (it's around 45 minutes long): https://youtu.be/vSX-DROZuzY Whether you embrace it or not, I think it can help push plot along by making you lean into your characters. Here's a summary that one of the commenters left of his theory of storytelling, but I encourage you to listen to the whole thing. I periodically re-listen to it every few weeks when I start having issues in my novel. \---> Notes for self: • Structure happens because you wrote well. What is my motivation - a story is about a state of change. •Types of Change - 1. Internal change - 2. Interpersonal - 3. external • Theme - Central dramatic argument (your theme should evoke question) • Characters journey from Anti theme to embodiment of the theme • Thematic structure - The purpose of the story to take a character from a place of ignorance from the true side of the argument and take them all the way to the point where they become the very embodiment of the argument and they do it thru action. • Inciting incident should specifically disrupt a characters stasis. It destroys the imperfect continuity and forces a choice on character • Your character must have some weakness or fear which he tries to avoid the entire story but they are forced to face it. Take away the safety blanket from your character and let them expose to their fear • Be hard on your character • Character loses their old belief and has no choice to go backwards and struggles to move forward (Character is lost) • Your character must face a defining moment (Their worst fear). It will bring the new stasis to the balance - Design a moment that is gonna test your protagonist faith in the theme. prove that they believe in the new theme. • Now in the end give them the choice to go back to their original belief and they have to reject the temptation • Hero acts in accordance with the theme. <-- Good luck. tl;dr -- Sorry, I'm old. There is no summary. That was as concise as I could make it.
|
The 7 points aren’t meant to be the entire thing—it’s a plot skeleton that you build the novel on, assuming that’s what you’re writing. Your main characters will each have personal character arcs, and you’ll probably have a subplot or two as well, each of which may have their own 7-point arc (though not as detailed or as high-stakes as the main plot). It’s also not the only way to build a plot, so that if you find it doesn’t work for you, you can look for other strategies.
| 1 | 5,563 | 9 | ||
szzp22
|
writing_train
| 0.9 |
How do you overcome difficulties with creating a plot? Hi, I don't know if anybody else has this problem, but I think my weakest area as a writer is plot. I love worldbuilding and character creation, and I truly believe I have interesting, fully-realized characters, but the thing is: I like the characters so much, it almost doesn't matter what happens in the story (to me, I know it matters to possible readers). I have been studying plot structure to try and overcome this and I really liked Dan Well's explanation of the 7 point plot structure. But even when I come up with all seven points for my story, it just doesn't seem like there's enough there for a whole book. I have experimented with pantsing and outlining, and I think I work better when I have an outline/know where I am going, but it's hard to finish an outline when you're weak at plot... Does anybody have any suggestions?
|
hy78pki
|
hy6xrb0
| 1,645,678,696 | 1,645,673,443 | 18 | 2 |
Craig Mazin is a screenwriter who wrote the Chernobyl series on HBO as well as a number of movies. He does a podcast called Scriptnotes with Jon August, who has also written a number of screenplays. I'm not a screenwriter -- I am an aspiring novelist, like you. But these guys have a lot of nuggets. Maybe you've listened to this already, but Craig spends one entire podcast by himself (Jon is visiting family) and he talks about how to write a screenplay. Or, to put it more simply, how to tell a story. It's honestly one of the best explanations about how to tell a story I've ever heard. His complaint is that 7 point plot structures and the hero's journey and everything else that people use to talk about stories are only useful as criticism: they are what people "discover" when they look at a movie (or a book) and then say: hey, this should happen, then this should happen, and then this should happen. They don't actually help people write stories. Craig wants to know WHY they should happen. And this speech is basically an encapsulation of his theory of writing. He walks through Finding Nemo, beginning with a Central Dramatic Argument, and then shows how everything that happens in the movie comes out of that Central Dramatic Argument. Here's the video (it's around 45 minutes long): https://youtu.be/vSX-DROZuzY Whether you embrace it or not, I think it can help push plot along by making you lean into your characters. Here's a summary that one of the commenters left of his theory of storytelling, but I encourage you to listen to the whole thing. I periodically re-listen to it every few weeks when I start having issues in my novel. \---> Notes for self: • Structure happens because you wrote well. What is my motivation - a story is about a state of change. •Types of Change - 1. Internal change - 2. Interpersonal - 3. external • Theme - Central dramatic argument (your theme should evoke question) • Characters journey from Anti theme to embodiment of the theme • Thematic structure - The purpose of the story to take a character from a place of ignorance from the true side of the argument and take them all the way to the point where they become the very embodiment of the argument and they do it thru action. • Inciting incident should specifically disrupt a characters stasis. It destroys the imperfect continuity and forces a choice on character • Your character must have some weakness or fear which he tries to avoid the entire story but they are forced to face it. Take away the safety blanket from your character and let them expose to their fear • Be hard on your character • Character loses their old belief and has no choice to go backwards and struggles to move forward (Character is lost) • Your character must face a defining moment (Their worst fear). It will bring the new stasis to the balance - Design a moment that is gonna test your protagonist faith in the theme. prove that they believe in the new theme. • Now in the end give them the choice to go back to their original belief and they have to reject the temptation • Hero acts in accordance with the theme. <-- Good luck. tl;dr -- Sorry, I'm old. There is no summary. That was as concise as I could make it.
|
Beer
| 1 | 5,253 | 9 | ||
szzp22
|
writing_train
| 0.9 |
How do you overcome difficulties with creating a plot? Hi, I don't know if anybody else has this problem, but I think my weakest area as a writer is plot. I love worldbuilding and character creation, and I truly believe I have interesting, fully-realized characters, but the thing is: I like the characters so much, it almost doesn't matter what happens in the story (to me, I know it matters to possible readers). I have been studying plot structure to try and overcome this and I really liked Dan Well's explanation of the 7 point plot structure. But even when I come up with all seven points for my story, it just doesn't seem like there's enough there for a whole book. I have experimented with pantsing and outlining, and I think I work better when I have an outline/know where I am going, but it's hard to finish an outline when you're weak at plot... Does anybody have any suggestions?
|
hy6x3ll
|
hy7u220
| 1,645,673,133 | 1,645,691,453 | 2 | 3 |
The 7 points aren’t meant to be the entire thing—it’s a plot skeleton that you build the novel on, assuming that’s what you’re writing. Your main characters will each have personal character arcs, and you’ll probably have a subplot or two as well, each of which may have their own 7-point arc (though not as detailed or as high-stakes as the main plot). It’s also not the only way to build a plot, so that if you find it doesn’t work for you, you can look for other strategies.
|
> But even when I come up with all seven points for my story, it just doesn’t seem like there’s enough there for a whole book. This is the problem with all structures I have found, and it’s something I have had to figure out myself. So all structures are way too zoomed out and general for a book. It doesn’t matter whether it’s 3, 5, 7, or 12, they seem simple at first and then you realise you have to write 20-40,000 words on that section…and you realise there isn’t enough in these structures to do that. What I’m doing to get around that is thinking of the character and situation more. Zoom down to the ground and actually write what this plot would be like for a person. Because in our lives we aren’t zoomed out, we have to live it day by day. And while I don’t go to that extreme, I am thinking “let’s actually unspool this.”
| 0 | 18,320 | 1.5 | ||
szzp22
|
writing_train
| 0.9 |
How do you overcome difficulties with creating a plot? Hi, I don't know if anybody else has this problem, but I think my weakest area as a writer is plot. I love worldbuilding and character creation, and I truly believe I have interesting, fully-realized characters, but the thing is: I like the characters so much, it almost doesn't matter what happens in the story (to me, I know it matters to possible readers). I have been studying plot structure to try and overcome this and I really liked Dan Well's explanation of the 7 point plot structure. But even when I come up with all seven points for my story, it just doesn't seem like there's enough there for a whole book. I have experimented with pantsing and outlining, and I think I work better when I have an outline/know where I am going, but it's hard to finish an outline when you're weak at plot... Does anybody have any suggestions?
|
hy7u220
|
hy6xrb0
| 1,645,691,453 | 1,645,673,443 | 3 | 2 |
> But even when I come up with all seven points for my story, it just doesn’t seem like there’s enough there for a whole book. This is the problem with all structures I have found, and it’s something I have had to figure out myself. So all structures are way too zoomed out and general for a book. It doesn’t matter whether it’s 3, 5, 7, or 12, they seem simple at first and then you realise you have to write 20-40,000 words on that section…and you realise there isn’t enough in these structures to do that. What I’m doing to get around that is thinking of the character and situation more. Zoom down to the ground and actually write what this plot would be like for a person. Because in our lives we aren’t zoomed out, we have to live it day by day. And while I don’t go to that extreme, I am thinking “let’s actually unspool this.”
|
Beer
| 1 | 18,010 | 1.5 | ||
szzp22
|
writing_train
| 0.9 |
How do you overcome difficulties with creating a plot? Hi, I don't know if anybody else has this problem, but I think my weakest area as a writer is plot. I love worldbuilding and character creation, and I truly believe I have interesting, fully-realized characters, but the thing is: I like the characters so much, it almost doesn't matter what happens in the story (to me, I know it matters to possible readers). I have been studying plot structure to try and overcome this and I really liked Dan Well's explanation of the 7 point plot structure. But even when I come up with all seven points for my story, it just doesn't seem like there's enough there for a whole book. I have experimented with pantsing and outlining, and I think I work better when I have an outline/know where I am going, but it's hard to finish an outline when you're weak at plot... Does anybody have any suggestions?
|
hy7u220
|
hy7e0ez
| 1,645,691,453 | 1,645,681,425 | 3 | 1 |
> But even when I come up with all seven points for my story, it just doesn’t seem like there’s enough there for a whole book. This is the problem with all structures I have found, and it’s something I have had to figure out myself. So all structures are way too zoomed out and general for a book. It doesn’t matter whether it’s 3, 5, 7, or 12, they seem simple at first and then you realise you have to write 20-40,000 words on that section…and you realise there isn’t enough in these structures to do that. What I’m doing to get around that is thinking of the character and situation more. Zoom down to the ground and actually write what this plot would be like for a person. Because in our lives we aren’t zoomed out, we have to live it day by day. And while I don’t go to that extreme, I am thinking “let’s actually unspool this.”
|
How you get the plot down depends on the author. It's whether or not you're a plotter, pantser, or plantser. Someone can tell you story structure all day but if you’re not sure which plotting style works for you you won't write a plot.
| 1 | 10,028 | 3 | ||
szzp22
|
writing_train
| 0.9 |
How do you overcome difficulties with creating a plot? Hi, I don't know if anybody else has this problem, but I think my weakest area as a writer is plot. I love worldbuilding and character creation, and I truly believe I have interesting, fully-realized characters, but the thing is: I like the characters so much, it almost doesn't matter what happens in the story (to me, I know it matters to possible readers). I have been studying plot structure to try and overcome this and I really liked Dan Well's explanation of the 7 point plot structure. But even when I come up with all seven points for my story, it just doesn't seem like there's enough there for a whole book. I have experimented with pantsing and outlining, and I think I work better when I have an outline/know where I am going, but it's hard to finish an outline when you're weak at plot... Does anybody have any suggestions?
|
hy7u220
|
hy7suzo
| 1,645,691,453 | 1,645,690,602 | 3 | 1 |
> But even when I come up with all seven points for my story, it just doesn’t seem like there’s enough there for a whole book. This is the problem with all structures I have found, and it’s something I have had to figure out myself. So all structures are way too zoomed out and general for a book. It doesn’t matter whether it’s 3, 5, 7, or 12, they seem simple at first and then you realise you have to write 20-40,000 words on that section…and you realise there isn’t enough in these structures to do that. What I’m doing to get around that is thinking of the character and situation more. Zoom down to the ground and actually write what this plot would be like for a person. Because in our lives we aren’t zoomed out, we have to live it day by day. And while I don’t go to that extreme, I am thinking “let’s actually unspool this.”
|
That is the very basic idea past the 3 act concept. You ought to research "genre beats" to get the "secrets" about how different subgenres work through the plot points. And plot should be driven by conflict/the protagonist’s reactions to and actions against the antagonist as they find themselves solving their internal conflict. The whole "And then... But..." way of thinking about your plot.
| 1 | 851 | 3 | ||
whs249
|
writing_train
| 0.89 |
How do you overcome perfectionism? At what point do you stop rewriting and decide to sacrifice what could potentially be a better story -if you gave it more time- in order to have closure and the possibility to move on to the next project?
|
ij79h14
|
ij7jglu
| 1,659,803,018 | 1,659,807,180 | 26 | 43 |
By telling yourself over and over that you're not perfect...and never will.
|
Always remember it's not about perfection but progress ☺️
| 0 | 4,162 | 1.653846 | ||
whs249
|
writing_train
| 0.89 |
How do you overcome perfectionism? At what point do you stop rewriting and decide to sacrifice what could potentially be a better story -if you gave it more time- in order to have closure and the possibility to move on to the next project?
|
ij7hqrb
|
ij7jglu
| 1,659,806,466 | 1,659,807,180 | 15 | 43 |
Let me introduce you to the concept of "good enough". "Good enough" is a philosophy that accepts everything you do will be flawed to some extent and that pursing perfectionism is an exercise in futility. If you write a whole novel, it is likely that you'll have at least a few spelling or grammar errors. Eventually they will be found, but it would be ridiculous to put off publishing something over a few misplaced commas. That's what editors are for.
|
Always remember it's not about perfection but progress ☺️
| 0 | 714 | 2.866667 | ||
whs249
|
writing_train
| 0.89 |
How do you overcome perfectionism? At what point do you stop rewriting and decide to sacrifice what could potentially be a better story -if you gave it more time- in order to have closure and the possibility to move on to the next project?
|
ij7jx57
|
ij7nvwj
| 1,659,807,372 | 1,659,809,029 | 1 | 15 |
I know damn well that I’m far from perfect, lol so I consider it overcome.
|
perfectionism has no value, it is illogical. Perfectionism does not improve things, it ruins them. Nothing can be perfect, everything requires compromise and trade offs. Perfection is unattainable. Whenever something has value is relative, something valuable for me might not be for you. Therefore there is no objective/absolute measure, on which you could say something is better than something else. It all depends on the perspective. In a funny way, there exist a perspective for everything that makes it perfect. So you can say that nothing is perfect and everything is perfect at the same time, and it doesn't matter.
| 0 | 1,657 | 15 | ||
whs249
|
writing_train
| 0.89 |
How do you overcome perfectionism? At what point do you stop rewriting and decide to sacrifice what could potentially be a better story -if you gave it more time- in order to have closure and the possibility to move on to the next project?
|
ij7rw1i
|
ij7jx57
| 1,659,810,714 | 1,659,807,372 | 11 | 1 |
By reminding yourself of two things. First, that perfection is not attainable, but that if we chase perfection we can catch excellence. Second, that your goal is to finish things. That means you’ll need to make a decision about how many drafts it takes. Every author is different. Stephen King says two drafts and a polish. Neil Gaiman says whatever it takes, some stories don’t take many, some take a lot. Yes, you could give a story more time in order to potentially get a better story out of it. Or you can finish things. That’s up to you. But you’ll probably learn more by finishing things.
|
I know damn well that I’m far from perfect, lol so I consider it overcome.
| 1 | 3,342 | 11 | ||
whs249
|
writing_train
| 0.89 |
How do you overcome perfectionism? At what point do you stop rewriting and decide to sacrifice what could potentially be a better story -if you gave it more time- in order to have closure and the possibility to move on to the next project?
|
ij7x8ls
|
ij8s8ip
| 1,659,813,013 | 1,659,827,018 | 2 | 7 |
I spent years clinging to the hallucination that I'd come up with a way of fixing the ending of my first novel. Eventually, I realized (a) no, I won't, and (b) it's not that bad. So I declared victory, self-published it, and moved on. My next novel was better because it build on everything I'd learned, which was way easier than making a silk purse out of the sow's ear of my first novel. It was fine as a sow's-ear purse, anyway. I dithered less with my nonfiction writing, thank god, or I never would have gotten anywhere.
|
Remind yourself that what you name ‘perfectionism’ is just lack of confidence. Just embrace what you wrote and move on.
| 0 | 14,005 | 3.5 | ||
whs249
|
writing_train
| 0.89 |
How do you overcome perfectionism? At what point do you stop rewriting and decide to sacrifice what could potentially be a better story -if you gave it more time- in order to have closure and the possibility to move on to the next project?
|
ij8s8ip
|
ij8mmcz
| 1,659,827,018 | 1,659,824,392 | 7 | 2 |
Remind yourself that what you name ‘perfectionism’ is just lack of confidence. Just embrace what you wrote and move on.
|
You ever cook? How long do you keep trying to perfect your dish? Your dish is edible, cooked, done...but you want it perfect. There's nothing inherently wrong with that. So, you keep at it until you find that continuing to mess with it is actually making it worse. But! Will you know you're making it worse? Or should you be letting someone else taste it as you work on perfection?
| 1 | 2,626 | 3.5 | ||
whs249
|
writing_train
| 0.89 |
How do you overcome perfectionism? At what point do you stop rewriting and decide to sacrifice what could potentially be a better story -if you gave it more time- in order to have closure and the possibility to move on to the next project?
|
ij8s8ip
|
ij7jx57
| 1,659,827,018 | 1,659,807,372 | 7 | 1 |
Remind yourself that what you name ‘perfectionism’ is just lack of confidence. Just embrace what you wrote and move on.
|
I know damn well that I’m far from perfect, lol so I consider it overcome.
| 1 | 19,646 | 7 | ||
whs249
|
writing_train
| 0.89 |
How do you overcome perfectionism? At what point do you stop rewriting and decide to sacrifice what could potentially be a better story -if you gave it more time- in order to have closure and the possibility to move on to the next project?
|
ij8m6qo
|
ij8s8ip
| 1,659,824,191 | 1,659,827,018 | 1 | 7 |
When you finish your current rewrite stop and try to send it off to publishers or agents and then start on something else. Let the market decide if it's good enough they might and then you won't have to do anything until your editor says this or that.
|
Remind yourself that what you name ‘perfectionism’ is just lack of confidence. Just embrace what you wrote and move on.
| 0 | 2,827 | 7 | ||
whs249
|
writing_train
| 0.89 |
How do you overcome perfectionism? At what point do you stop rewriting and decide to sacrifice what could potentially be a better story -if you gave it more time- in order to have closure and the possibility to move on to the next project?
|
ij8tgem
|
ij7x8ls
| 1,659,827,599 | 1,659,813,013 | 4 | 2 |
I make it work for me. Not against me. I have a set of strict rules I've set for myself that gives me leeway. When it comes to rewriting, I only do complete rewrites. Meaning I don't go back and make changes until AFTER I've completed a draft. I take notes on changes I want to make throughout but keep mostly to the same plan. Usually it takes me at least 60% of the draft before I want to make changes. I power through the draft, setting tight daily word count requirements. I only work within the specific chapter I'm focused on writing. So I can go back and delete what I write. Only if it's in that chapter. Mostly if it isn't meeting my quality standard. As well. So I don't keep entering a cycle of more drafts. I LIMIT the number of full drafts I do. Unless I literally have no choice. That's how I get shit done.
|
I spent years clinging to the hallucination that I'd come up with a way of fixing the ending of my first novel. Eventually, I realized (a) no, I won't, and (b) it's not that bad. So I declared victory, self-published it, and moved on. My next novel was better because it build on everything I'd learned, which was way easier than making a silk purse out of the sow's ear of my first novel. It was fine as a sow's-ear purse, anyway. I dithered less with my nonfiction writing, thank god, or I never would have gotten anywhere.
| 1 | 14,586 | 2 | ||
whs249
|
writing_train
| 0.89 |
How do you overcome perfectionism? At what point do you stop rewriting and decide to sacrifice what could potentially be a better story -if you gave it more time- in order to have closure and the possibility to move on to the next project?
|
ij8mmcz
|
ij8tgem
| 1,659,824,392 | 1,659,827,599 | 2 | 4 |
You ever cook? How long do you keep trying to perfect your dish? Your dish is edible, cooked, done...but you want it perfect. There's nothing inherently wrong with that. So, you keep at it until you find that continuing to mess with it is actually making it worse. But! Will you know you're making it worse? Or should you be letting someone else taste it as you work on perfection?
|
I make it work for me. Not against me. I have a set of strict rules I've set for myself that gives me leeway. When it comes to rewriting, I only do complete rewrites. Meaning I don't go back and make changes until AFTER I've completed a draft. I take notes on changes I want to make throughout but keep mostly to the same plan. Usually it takes me at least 60% of the draft before I want to make changes. I power through the draft, setting tight daily word count requirements. I only work within the specific chapter I'm focused on writing. So I can go back and delete what I write. Only if it's in that chapter. Mostly if it isn't meeting my quality standard. As well. So I don't keep entering a cycle of more drafts. I LIMIT the number of full drafts I do. Unless I literally have no choice. That's how I get shit done.
| 0 | 3,207 | 2 | ||
whs249
|
writing_train
| 0.89 |
How do you overcome perfectionism? At what point do you stop rewriting and decide to sacrifice what could potentially be a better story -if you gave it more time- in order to have closure and the possibility to move on to the next project?
|
ij7jx57
|
ij8tgem
| 1,659,807,372 | 1,659,827,599 | 1 | 4 |
I know damn well that I’m far from perfect, lol so I consider it overcome.
|
I make it work for me. Not against me. I have a set of strict rules I've set for myself that gives me leeway. When it comes to rewriting, I only do complete rewrites. Meaning I don't go back and make changes until AFTER I've completed a draft. I take notes on changes I want to make throughout but keep mostly to the same plan. Usually it takes me at least 60% of the draft before I want to make changes. I power through the draft, setting tight daily word count requirements. I only work within the specific chapter I'm focused on writing. So I can go back and delete what I write. Only if it's in that chapter. Mostly if it isn't meeting my quality standard. As well. So I don't keep entering a cycle of more drafts. I LIMIT the number of full drafts I do. Unless I literally have no choice. That's how I get shit done.
| 0 | 20,227 | 4 | ||
whs249
|
writing_train
| 0.89 |
How do you overcome perfectionism? At what point do you stop rewriting and decide to sacrifice what could potentially be a better story -if you gave it more time- in order to have closure and the possibility to move on to the next project?
|
ij8m6qo
|
ij8tgem
| 1,659,824,191 | 1,659,827,599 | 1 | 4 |
When you finish your current rewrite stop and try to send it off to publishers or agents and then start on something else. Let the market decide if it's good enough they might and then you won't have to do anything until your editor says this or that.
|
I make it work for me. Not against me. I have a set of strict rules I've set for myself that gives me leeway. When it comes to rewriting, I only do complete rewrites. Meaning I don't go back and make changes until AFTER I've completed a draft. I take notes on changes I want to make throughout but keep mostly to the same plan. Usually it takes me at least 60% of the draft before I want to make changes. I power through the draft, setting tight daily word count requirements. I only work within the specific chapter I'm focused on writing. So I can go back and delete what I write. Only if it's in that chapter. Mostly if it isn't meeting my quality standard. As well. So I don't keep entering a cycle of more drafts. I LIMIT the number of full drafts I do. Unless I literally have no choice. That's how I get shit done.
| 0 | 3,408 | 4 | ||
whs249
|
writing_train
| 0.89 |
How do you overcome perfectionism? At what point do you stop rewriting and decide to sacrifice what could potentially be a better story -if you gave it more time- in order to have closure and the possibility to move on to the next project?
|
ij8tgem
|
ij8sxmk
| 1,659,827,599 | 1,659,827,348 | 4 | 1 |
I make it work for me. Not against me. I have a set of strict rules I've set for myself that gives me leeway. When it comes to rewriting, I only do complete rewrites. Meaning I don't go back and make changes until AFTER I've completed a draft. I take notes on changes I want to make throughout but keep mostly to the same plan. Usually it takes me at least 60% of the draft before I want to make changes. I power through the draft, setting tight daily word count requirements. I only work within the specific chapter I'm focused on writing. So I can go back and delete what I write. Only if it's in that chapter. Mostly if it isn't meeting my quality standard. As well. So I don't keep entering a cycle of more drafts. I LIMIT the number of full drafts I do. Unless I literally have no choice. That's how I get shit done.
|
I keep telling myself that not doing anything not perfect will never help me going better. It's the mistakes and experience that teach me how to be better next time. The vest way for it is to look at my previous works and see how awful they were - how better I got. And if I got so much better by writing bad stuff and learning from it, imagine what I can be if I just keep doing that.
| 1 | 251 | 4 | ||
whs249
|
writing_train
| 0.89 |
How do you overcome perfectionism? At what point do you stop rewriting and decide to sacrifice what could potentially be a better story -if you gave it more time- in order to have closure and the possibility to move on to the next project?
|
ij8tgem
|
ij8sycx
| 1,659,827,599 | 1,659,827,358 | 4 | 1 |
I make it work for me. Not against me. I have a set of strict rules I've set for myself that gives me leeway. When it comes to rewriting, I only do complete rewrites. Meaning I don't go back and make changes until AFTER I've completed a draft. I take notes on changes I want to make throughout but keep mostly to the same plan. Usually it takes me at least 60% of the draft before I want to make changes. I power through the draft, setting tight daily word count requirements. I only work within the specific chapter I'm focused on writing. So I can go back and delete what I write. Only if it's in that chapter. Mostly if it isn't meeting my quality standard. As well. So I don't keep entering a cycle of more drafts. I LIMIT the number of full drafts I do. Unless I literally have no choice. That's how I get shit done.
|
This is a hard one. Honestly, if you read some independent writers you will be able to find at least one mistake. As long as it doesn't distract keep pushing forward.
| 1 | 241 | 4 | ||
whs249
|
writing_train
| 0.89 |
How do you overcome perfectionism? At what point do you stop rewriting and decide to sacrifice what could potentially be a better story -if you gave it more time- in order to have closure and the possibility to move on to the next project?
|
ij7x8ls
|
ij8y36e
| 1,659,813,013 | 1,659,829,820 | 2 | 4 |
I spent years clinging to the hallucination that I'd come up with a way of fixing the ending of my first novel. Eventually, I realized (a) no, I won't, and (b) it's not that bad. So I declared victory, self-published it, and moved on. My next novel was better because it build on everything I'd learned, which was way easier than making a silk purse out of the sow's ear of my first novel. It was fine as a sow's-ear purse, anyway. I dithered less with my nonfiction writing, thank god, or I never would have gotten anywhere.
|
Every story, painting, sculpture, etc. is unfinished. Everything that involves imagination could be done differently or added on. With that in mind, I just know I will never be satisfied, and overdoing it might lead to chaos, so I better leave it alone
| 0 | 16,807 | 2 | ||
whs249
|
writing_train
| 0.89 |
How do you overcome perfectionism? At what point do you stop rewriting and decide to sacrifice what could potentially be a better story -if you gave it more time- in order to have closure and the possibility to move on to the next project?
|
ij8mmcz
|
ij8y36e
| 1,659,824,392 | 1,659,829,820 | 2 | 4 |
You ever cook? How long do you keep trying to perfect your dish? Your dish is edible, cooked, done...but you want it perfect. There's nothing inherently wrong with that. So, you keep at it until you find that continuing to mess with it is actually making it worse. But! Will you know you're making it worse? Or should you be letting someone else taste it as you work on perfection?
|
Every story, painting, sculpture, etc. is unfinished. Everything that involves imagination could be done differently or added on. With that in mind, I just know I will never be satisfied, and overdoing it might lead to chaos, so I better leave it alone
| 0 | 5,428 | 2 | ||
whs249
|
writing_train
| 0.89 |
How do you overcome perfectionism? At what point do you stop rewriting and decide to sacrifice what could potentially be a better story -if you gave it more time- in order to have closure and the possibility to move on to the next project?
|
ij8y36e
|
ij7jx57
| 1,659,829,820 | 1,659,807,372 | 4 | 1 |
Every story, painting, sculpture, etc. is unfinished. Everything that involves imagination could be done differently or added on. With that in mind, I just know I will never be satisfied, and overdoing it might lead to chaos, so I better leave it alone
|
I know damn well that I’m far from perfect, lol so I consider it overcome.
| 1 | 22,448 | 4 | ||
whs249
|
writing_train
| 0.89 |
How do you overcome perfectionism? At what point do you stop rewriting and decide to sacrifice what could potentially be a better story -if you gave it more time- in order to have closure and the possibility to move on to the next project?
|
ij8y36e
|
ij8m6qo
| 1,659,829,820 | 1,659,824,191 | 4 | 1 |
Every story, painting, sculpture, etc. is unfinished. Everything that involves imagination could be done differently or added on. With that in mind, I just know I will never be satisfied, and overdoing it might lead to chaos, so I better leave it alone
|
When you finish your current rewrite stop and try to send it off to publishers or agents and then start on something else. Let the market decide if it's good enough they might and then you won't have to do anything until your editor says this or that.
| 1 | 5,629 | 4 | ||
whs249
|
writing_train
| 0.89 |
How do you overcome perfectionism? At what point do you stop rewriting and decide to sacrifice what could potentially be a better story -if you gave it more time- in order to have closure and the possibility to move on to the next project?
|
ij8sxmk
|
ij8y36e
| 1,659,827,348 | 1,659,829,820 | 1 | 4 |
I keep telling myself that not doing anything not perfect will never help me going better. It's the mistakes and experience that teach me how to be better next time. The vest way for it is to look at my previous works and see how awful they were - how better I got. And if I got so much better by writing bad stuff and learning from it, imagine what I can be if I just keep doing that.
|
Every story, painting, sculpture, etc. is unfinished. Everything that involves imagination could be done differently or added on. With that in mind, I just know I will never be satisfied, and overdoing it might lead to chaos, so I better leave it alone
| 0 | 2,472 | 4 | ||
whs249
|
writing_train
| 0.89 |
How do you overcome perfectionism? At what point do you stop rewriting and decide to sacrifice what could potentially be a better story -if you gave it more time- in order to have closure and the possibility to move on to the next project?
|
ij8y36e
|
ij8sycx
| 1,659,829,820 | 1,659,827,358 | 4 | 1 |
Every story, painting, sculpture, etc. is unfinished. Everything that involves imagination could be done differently or added on. With that in mind, I just know I will never be satisfied, and overdoing it might lead to chaos, so I better leave it alone
|
This is a hard one. Honestly, if you read some independent writers you will be able to find at least one mistake. As long as it doesn't distract keep pushing forward.
| 1 | 2,462 | 4 | ||
whs249
|
writing_train
| 0.89 |
How do you overcome perfectionism? At what point do you stop rewriting and decide to sacrifice what could potentially be a better story -if you gave it more time- in order to have closure and the possibility to move on to the next project?
|
ij8u0gr
|
ij8y36e
| 1,659,827,868 | 1,659,829,820 | 1 | 4 |
Perfect is a construct to imprison us. So I look at what I am "fixing" after a break and if it's just the same things over and over? Maybe it's not fixing but procrastinating on sharing or something else. Essentially you will with practice learn when the work is done.
|
Every story, painting, sculpture, etc. is unfinished. Everything that involves imagination could be done differently or added on. With that in mind, I just know I will never be satisfied, and overdoing it might lead to chaos, so I better leave it alone
| 0 | 1,952 | 4 | ||
whs249
|
writing_train
| 0.89 |
How do you overcome perfectionism? At what point do you stop rewriting and decide to sacrifice what could potentially be a better story -if you gave it more time- in order to have closure and the possibility to move on to the next project?
|
ij8y36e
|
ij8u6di
| 1,659,829,820 | 1,659,827,947 | 4 | 1 |
Every story, painting, sculpture, etc. is unfinished. Everything that involves imagination could be done differently or added on. With that in mind, I just know I will never be satisfied, and overdoing it might lead to chaos, so I better leave it alone
|
Completed projects are better than those that are stuck in endless editing. Done is better than never published. If your editor thinks it’s good enough to publish, step away from the keyboard
| 1 | 1,873 | 4 | ||
whs249
|
writing_train
| 0.89 |
How do you overcome perfectionism? At what point do you stop rewriting and decide to sacrifice what could potentially be a better story -if you gave it more time- in order to have closure and the possibility to move on to the next project?
|
ij7x8ls
|
ij7jx57
| 1,659,813,013 | 1,659,807,372 | 2 | 1 |
I spent years clinging to the hallucination that I'd come up with a way of fixing the ending of my first novel. Eventually, I realized (a) no, I won't, and (b) it's not that bad. So I declared victory, self-published it, and moved on. My next novel was better because it build on everything I'd learned, which was way easier than making a silk purse out of the sow's ear of my first novel. It was fine as a sow's-ear purse, anyway. I dithered less with my nonfiction writing, thank god, or I never would have gotten anywhere.
|
I know damn well that I’m far from perfect, lol so I consider it overcome.
| 1 | 5,641 | 2 | ||
whs249
|
writing_train
| 0.89 |
How do you overcome perfectionism? At what point do you stop rewriting and decide to sacrifice what could potentially be a better story -if you gave it more time- in order to have closure and the possibility to move on to the next project?
|
ij7jx57
|
ij8mmcz
| 1,659,807,372 | 1,659,824,392 | 1 | 2 |
I know damn well that I’m far from perfect, lol so I consider it overcome.
|
You ever cook? How long do you keep trying to perfect your dish? Your dish is edible, cooked, done...but you want it perfect. There's nothing inherently wrong with that. So, you keep at it until you find that continuing to mess with it is actually making it worse. But! Will you know you're making it worse? Or should you be letting someone else taste it as you work on perfection?
| 0 | 17,020 | 2 | ||
whs249
|
writing_train
| 0.89 |
How do you overcome perfectionism? At what point do you stop rewriting and decide to sacrifice what could potentially be a better story -if you gave it more time- in order to have closure and the possibility to move on to the next project?
|
ij8m6qo
|
ij8mmcz
| 1,659,824,191 | 1,659,824,392 | 1 | 2 |
When you finish your current rewrite stop and try to send it off to publishers or agents and then start on something else. Let the market decide if it's good enough they might and then you won't have to do anything until your editor says this or that.
|
You ever cook? How long do you keep trying to perfect your dish? Your dish is edible, cooked, done...but you want it perfect. There's nothing inherently wrong with that. So, you keep at it until you find that continuing to mess with it is actually making it worse. But! Will you know you're making it worse? Or should you be letting someone else taste it as you work on perfection?
| 0 | 201 | 2 | ||
whs249
|
writing_train
| 0.89 |
How do you overcome perfectionism? At what point do you stop rewriting and decide to sacrifice what could potentially be a better story -if you gave it more time- in order to have closure and the possibility to move on to the next project?
|
ij99j1d
|
ij7jx57
| 1,659,835,384 | 1,659,807,372 | 2 | 1 |
Remembering that practice makes perfect.
|
I know damn well that I’m far from perfect, lol so I consider it overcome.
| 1 | 28,012 | 2 | ||
whs249
|
writing_train
| 0.89 |
How do you overcome perfectionism? At what point do you stop rewriting and decide to sacrifice what could potentially be a better story -if you gave it more time- in order to have closure and the possibility to move on to the next project?
|
ij99j1d
|
ij8m6qo
| 1,659,835,384 | 1,659,824,191 | 2 | 1 |
Remembering that practice makes perfect.
|
When you finish your current rewrite stop and try to send it off to publishers or agents and then start on something else. Let the market decide if it's good enough they might and then you won't have to do anything until your editor says this or that.
| 1 | 11,193 | 2 | ||
whs249
|
writing_train
| 0.89 |
How do you overcome perfectionism? At what point do you stop rewriting and decide to sacrifice what could potentially be a better story -if you gave it more time- in order to have closure and the possibility to move on to the next project?
|
ij8sxmk
|
ij99j1d
| 1,659,827,348 | 1,659,835,384 | 1 | 2 |
I keep telling myself that not doing anything not perfect will never help me going better. It's the mistakes and experience that teach me how to be better next time. The vest way for it is to look at my previous works and see how awful they were - how better I got. And if I got so much better by writing bad stuff and learning from it, imagine what I can be if I just keep doing that.
|
Remembering that practice makes perfect.
| 0 | 8,036 | 2 | ||
whs249
|
writing_train
| 0.89 |
How do you overcome perfectionism? At what point do you stop rewriting and decide to sacrifice what could potentially be a better story -if you gave it more time- in order to have closure and the possibility to move on to the next project?
|
ij99j1d
|
ij8sycx
| 1,659,835,384 | 1,659,827,358 | 2 | 1 |
Remembering that practice makes perfect.
|
This is a hard one. Honestly, if you read some independent writers you will be able to find at least one mistake. As long as it doesn't distract keep pushing forward.
| 1 | 8,026 | 2 | ||
whs249
|
writing_train
| 0.89 |
How do you overcome perfectionism? At what point do you stop rewriting and decide to sacrifice what could potentially be a better story -if you gave it more time- in order to have closure and the possibility to move on to the next project?
|
ij8u0gr
|
ij99j1d
| 1,659,827,868 | 1,659,835,384 | 1 | 2 |
Perfect is a construct to imprison us. So I look at what I am "fixing" after a break and if it's just the same things over and over? Maybe it's not fixing but procrastinating on sharing or something else. Essentially you will with practice learn when the work is done.
|
Remembering that practice makes perfect.
| 0 | 7,516 | 2 | ||
whs249
|
writing_train
| 0.89 |
How do you overcome perfectionism? At what point do you stop rewriting and decide to sacrifice what could potentially be a better story -if you gave it more time- in order to have closure and the possibility to move on to the next project?
|
ij99j1d
|
ij8u6di
| 1,659,835,384 | 1,659,827,947 | 2 | 1 |
Remembering that practice makes perfect.
|
Completed projects are better than those that are stuck in endless editing. Done is better than never published. If your editor thinks it’s good enough to publish, step away from the keyboard
| 1 | 7,437 | 2 | ||
whs249
|
writing_train
| 0.89 |
How do you overcome perfectionism? At what point do you stop rewriting and decide to sacrifice what could potentially be a better story -if you gave it more time- in order to have closure and the possibility to move on to the next project?
|
ij8zk8l
|
ij99j1d
| 1,659,830,531 | 1,659,835,384 | 1 | 2 |
Don't try to control the story. Let the story control itself.
|
Remembering that practice makes perfect.
| 0 | 4,853 | 2 | ||
whs249
|
writing_train
| 0.89 |
How do you overcome perfectionism? At what point do you stop rewriting and decide to sacrifice what could potentially be a better story -if you gave it more time- in order to have closure and the possibility to move on to the next project?
|
ij94h6m
|
ij99j1d
| 1,659,832,916 | 1,659,835,384 | 1 | 2 |
Find your absolute favorite author/piece of writing. Think about how larger than life that person/piece of work is. How abso-fucking-lutely groundbreaking it was at the time. Then realize even that piece had flaws and imperfections.
|
Remembering that practice makes perfect.
| 0 | 2,468 | 2 | ||
whs249
|
writing_train
| 0.89 |
How do you overcome perfectionism? At what point do you stop rewriting and decide to sacrifice what could potentially be a better story -if you gave it more time- in order to have closure and the possibility to move on to the next project?
|
ij99j1d
|
ij94nwf
| 1,659,835,384 | 1,659,833,011 | 2 | 1 |
Remembering that practice makes perfect.
|
You don't. You under come it
| 1 | 2,373 | 2 | ||
whs249
|
writing_train
| 0.89 |
How do you overcome perfectionism? At what point do you stop rewriting and decide to sacrifice what could potentially be a better story -if you gave it more time- in order to have closure and the possibility to move on to the next project?
|
ij99j1d
|
ij97tbj
| 1,659,835,384 | 1,659,834,560 | 2 | 1 |
Remembering that practice makes perfect.
|
By telling myself that if perfect was what I was aiming for, I’d get a lot closer to that target by letting go of the idea of perfection.
| 1 | 824 | 2 | ||
whs249
|
writing_train
| 0.89 |
How do you overcome perfectionism? At what point do you stop rewriting and decide to sacrifice what could potentially be a better story -if you gave it more time- in order to have closure and the possibility to move on to the next project?
|
ij7jx57
|
ij9ss83
| 1,659,807,372 | 1,659,845,333 | 1 | 2 |
I know damn well that I’m far from perfect, lol so I consider it overcome.
|
By understanding the very concept of perfection brings nothing but despair to a creator. Perfection means it can never be improved so to a creator perfection is the death of creativity and you have nothing to learn from the experience. Never strive for perfection. Strive for excellence.
| 0 | 37,961 | 2 | ||
whs249
|
writing_train
| 0.89 |
How do you overcome perfectionism? At what point do you stop rewriting and decide to sacrifice what could potentially be a better story -if you gave it more time- in order to have closure and the possibility to move on to the next project?
|
ij9ss83
|
ij8m6qo
| 1,659,845,333 | 1,659,824,191 | 2 | 1 |
By understanding the very concept of perfection brings nothing but despair to a creator. Perfection means it can never be improved so to a creator perfection is the death of creativity and you have nothing to learn from the experience. Never strive for perfection. Strive for excellence.
|
When you finish your current rewrite stop and try to send it off to publishers or agents and then start on something else. Let the market decide if it's good enough they might and then you won't have to do anything until your editor says this or that.
| 1 | 21,142 | 2 | ||
whs249
|
writing_train
| 0.89 |
How do you overcome perfectionism? At what point do you stop rewriting and decide to sacrifice what could potentially be a better story -if you gave it more time- in order to have closure and the possibility to move on to the next project?
|
ij9ss83
|
ij8sxmk
| 1,659,845,333 | 1,659,827,348 | 2 | 1 |
By understanding the very concept of perfection brings nothing but despair to a creator. Perfection means it can never be improved so to a creator perfection is the death of creativity and you have nothing to learn from the experience. Never strive for perfection. Strive for excellence.
|
I keep telling myself that not doing anything not perfect will never help me going better. It's the mistakes and experience that teach me how to be better next time. The vest way for it is to look at my previous works and see how awful they were - how better I got. And if I got so much better by writing bad stuff and learning from it, imagine what I can be if I just keep doing that.
| 1 | 17,985 | 2 | ||
whs249
|
writing_train
| 0.89 |
How do you overcome perfectionism? At what point do you stop rewriting and decide to sacrifice what could potentially be a better story -if you gave it more time- in order to have closure and the possibility to move on to the next project?
|
ij8sycx
|
ij9ss83
| 1,659,827,358 | 1,659,845,333 | 1 | 2 |
This is a hard one. Honestly, if you read some independent writers you will be able to find at least one mistake. As long as it doesn't distract keep pushing forward.
|
By understanding the very concept of perfection brings nothing but despair to a creator. Perfection means it can never be improved so to a creator perfection is the death of creativity and you have nothing to learn from the experience. Never strive for perfection. Strive for excellence.
| 0 | 17,975 | 2 | ||
whs249
|
writing_train
| 0.89 |
How do you overcome perfectionism? At what point do you stop rewriting and decide to sacrifice what could potentially be a better story -if you gave it more time- in order to have closure and the possibility to move on to the next project?
|
ij8u0gr
|
ij9ss83
| 1,659,827,868 | 1,659,845,333 | 1 | 2 |
Perfect is a construct to imprison us. So I look at what I am "fixing" after a break and if it's just the same things over and over? Maybe it's not fixing but procrastinating on sharing or something else. Essentially you will with practice learn when the work is done.
|
By understanding the very concept of perfection brings nothing but despair to a creator. Perfection means it can never be improved so to a creator perfection is the death of creativity and you have nothing to learn from the experience. Never strive for perfection. Strive for excellence.
| 0 | 17,465 | 2 | ||
whs249
|
writing_train
| 0.89 |
How do you overcome perfectionism? At what point do you stop rewriting and decide to sacrifice what could potentially be a better story -if you gave it more time- in order to have closure and the possibility to move on to the next project?
|
ij9ss83
|
ij8u6di
| 1,659,845,333 | 1,659,827,947 | 2 | 1 |
By understanding the very concept of perfection brings nothing but despair to a creator. Perfection means it can never be improved so to a creator perfection is the death of creativity and you have nothing to learn from the experience. Never strive for perfection. Strive for excellence.
|
Completed projects are better than those that are stuck in endless editing. Done is better than never published. If your editor thinks it’s good enough to publish, step away from the keyboard
| 1 | 17,386 | 2 | ||
whs249
|
writing_train
| 0.89 |
How do you overcome perfectionism? At what point do you stop rewriting and decide to sacrifice what could potentially be a better story -if you gave it more time- in order to have closure and the possibility to move on to the next project?
|
ij9ss83
|
ij8zk8l
| 1,659,845,333 | 1,659,830,531 | 2 | 1 |
By understanding the very concept of perfection brings nothing but despair to a creator. Perfection means it can never be improved so to a creator perfection is the death of creativity and you have nothing to learn from the experience. Never strive for perfection. Strive for excellence.
|
Don't try to control the story. Let the story control itself.
| 1 | 14,802 | 2 | ||
whs249
|
writing_train
| 0.89 |
How do you overcome perfectionism? At what point do you stop rewriting and decide to sacrifice what could potentially be a better story -if you gave it more time- in order to have closure and the possibility to move on to the next project?
|
ij9ss83
|
ij94h6m
| 1,659,845,333 | 1,659,832,916 | 2 | 1 |
By understanding the very concept of perfection brings nothing but despair to a creator. Perfection means it can never be improved so to a creator perfection is the death of creativity and you have nothing to learn from the experience. Never strive for perfection. Strive for excellence.
|
Find your absolute favorite author/piece of writing. Think about how larger than life that person/piece of work is. How abso-fucking-lutely groundbreaking it was at the time. Then realize even that piece had flaws and imperfections.
| 1 | 12,417 | 2 | ||
whs249
|
writing_train
| 0.89 |
How do you overcome perfectionism? At what point do you stop rewriting and decide to sacrifice what could potentially be a better story -if you gave it more time- in order to have closure and the possibility to move on to the next project?
|
ij9ss83
|
ij94nwf
| 1,659,845,333 | 1,659,833,011 | 2 | 1 |
By understanding the very concept of perfection brings nothing but despair to a creator. Perfection means it can never be improved so to a creator perfection is the death of creativity and you have nothing to learn from the experience. Never strive for perfection. Strive for excellence.
|
You don't. You under come it
| 1 | 12,322 | 2 | ||
whs249
|
writing_train
| 0.89 |
How do you overcome perfectionism? At what point do you stop rewriting and decide to sacrifice what could potentially be a better story -if you gave it more time- in order to have closure and the possibility to move on to the next project?
|
ij9ss83
|
ij97tbj
| 1,659,845,333 | 1,659,834,560 | 2 | 1 |
By understanding the very concept of perfection brings nothing but despair to a creator. Perfection means it can never be improved so to a creator perfection is the death of creativity and you have nothing to learn from the experience. Never strive for perfection. Strive for excellence.
|
By telling myself that if perfect was what I was aiming for, I’d get a lot closer to that target by letting go of the idea of perfection.
| 1 | 10,773 | 2 | ||
whs249
|
writing_train
| 0.89 |
How do you overcome perfectionism? At what point do you stop rewriting and decide to sacrifice what could potentially be a better story -if you gave it more time- in order to have closure and the possibility to move on to the next project?
|
ij9ss83
|
ij99qsn
| 1,659,845,333 | 1,659,835,490 | 2 | 1 |
By understanding the very concept of perfection brings nothing but despair to a creator. Perfection means it can never be improved so to a creator perfection is the death of creativity and you have nothing to learn from the experience. Never strive for perfection. Strive for excellence.
|
Did you finish the story? If not, finish it. If so, give yourself some time away from it, then come back. As far as perfection goes, the best way I’ve heard it described is that art is inherently destructive. In order to tell a story, make a painting, etc. you have to destroy the perfection of an ethereal idea to make a work. The work itself can never be perfect.
| 1 | 9,843 | 2 | ||
whs249
|
writing_train
| 0.89 |
How do you overcome perfectionism? At what point do you stop rewriting and decide to sacrifice what could potentially be a better story -if you gave it more time- in order to have closure and the possibility to move on to the next project?
|
ij9cvhy
|
ij9ss83
| 1,659,837,034 | 1,659,845,333 | 1 | 2 |
Try a quality assurance job at any manufacturer
|
By understanding the very concept of perfection brings nothing but despair to a creator. Perfection means it can never be improved so to a creator perfection is the death of creativity and you have nothing to learn from the experience. Never strive for perfection. Strive for excellence.
| 0 | 8,299 | 2 | ||
whs249
|
writing_train
| 0.89 |
How do you overcome perfectionism? At what point do you stop rewriting and decide to sacrifice what could potentially be a better story -if you gave it more time- in order to have closure and the possibility to move on to the next project?
|
ij9ss83
|
ij9dkea
| 1,659,845,333 | 1,659,837,380 | 2 | 1 |
By understanding the very concept of perfection brings nothing but despair to a creator. Perfection means it can never be improved so to a creator perfection is the death of creativity and you have nothing to learn from the experience. Never strive for perfection. Strive for excellence.
|
I’ll eat chocolate cake w chocolate ice cream p my Shiraz wine & homemade Italian dish of peppers, tomatoes, sauce n bow tie pasta. Yum. Two slices of dusted Publix bread too.
| 1 | 7,953 | 2 | ||
zev0ie
|
writing_train
| 0.87 |
Struggling to write with my self-confidence crushed So, a few years ago I wrote a novel in 3 months. Since then I've been trying to replicate the feat, but I've been finding myself growing slower and less confident as a writer until eventually I more or less stopped altogether. I've been trying to get back into things but it's extremely difficult for me, and every time I've tried to seek help, people have instead told me to give up or quit which has just hurt my confidence more. Trust me. I've taken breaks, I've exercised, I've touched grass, I've seen therapists, I'm on more medications than my 90-year-old grandfather is. None of it has helped I want to be a writer more than I want anything else in the world. That's not a dream I'm going to give up. I need help but I don't know where else to look. Please tell me someone has answers
|
iz8p3d4
|
iz8pxmy
| 1,670,399,711 | 1,670,400,427 | 9 | 30 |
Give up. Quit. And learn to not care what random people tell you to do. Then do what you want to do. So write. There is no quick-fix magic potion. This is a YOU problem. YOU need to figure it out. Internet strangers aren't going to suddenly alter your reality when professional therapists haven't been able to. You're going to get generic advice not tailored to who you are. And then it'll be up to you to put that into action. No one else. Only thing I can suggest is long COVID. Maybe that's why you're feeling the way you are.
|
That reminds me a bit of a situation I was in. I wrote a short story for a university module and my professor thought it was the best thing since sliced bread. I had to read it to everyone, he compared it to the work of great classical authors and asked to use it in future semester as part of his teaching. I was obviously pleased as hell, until I sat my behind down to write the next thing. How was I EVER going to reach that level again?? When I wrote, it needed to be as good, née BETTER than that short story! The result? I couldn’t write for 10 years, as I was just completely locked up, every time I just thought about it. The expectations had completely gotten away from me and any semblance of realistic goals. What worked in the end, was trying to write with zero expectations. Just something fun. I still can’t write ‘literature’, because I honestly freeze up again. I’d start by writing your thoughts or anything that comes into your mind. Every day, at least 400 words (that’s my rule - obviously find one that works for you). Then have a look at some of the writing prompts here on Reddit and write something fun - just a mini short. Slowly build up from there. There’s also tools to help you get going again. I’ve found “Tim Clare’s The Couch to 80k Podcast” very helpful when stuck. I use the homepage 4theWords to gamify my efforts. “The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron is a good read. Wishing you the best of luck. You can get out of that hole, it just might not be through pressure and willpower.
| 0 | 716 | 3.333333 | ||
zev0ie
|
writing_train
| 0.87 |
Struggling to write with my self-confidence crushed So, a few years ago I wrote a novel in 3 months. Since then I've been trying to replicate the feat, but I've been finding myself growing slower and less confident as a writer until eventually I more or less stopped altogether. I've been trying to get back into things but it's extremely difficult for me, and every time I've tried to seek help, people have instead told me to give up or quit which has just hurt my confidence more. Trust me. I've taken breaks, I've exercised, I've touched grass, I've seen therapists, I'm on more medications than my 90-year-old grandfather is. None of it has helped I want to be a writer more than I want anything else in the world. That's not a dream I'm going to give up. I need help but I don't know where else to look. Please tell me someone has answers
|
iz8pxmy
|
iz8oxmi
| 1,670,400,427 | 1,670,399,580 | 30 | 6 |
That reminds me a bit of a situation I was in. I wrote a short story for a university module and my professor thought it was the best thing since sliced bread. I had to read it to everyone, he compared it to the work of great classical authors and asked to use it in future semester as part of his teaching. I was obviously pleased as hell, until I sat my behind down to write the next thing. How was I EVER going to reach that level again?? When I wrote, it needed to be as good, née BETTER than that short story! The result? I couldn’t write for 10 years, as I was just completely locked up, every time I just thought about it. The expectations had completely gotten away from me and any semblance of realistic goals. What worked in the end, was trying to write with zero expectations. Just something fun. I still can’t write ‘literature’, because I honestly freeze up again. I’d start by writing your thoughts or anything that comes into your mind. Every day, at least 400 words (that’s my rule - obviously find one that works for you). Then have a look at some of the writing prompts here on Reddit and write something fun - just a mini short. Slowly build up from there. There’s also tools to help you get going again. I’ve found “Tim Clare’s The Couch to 80k Podcast” very helpful when stuck. I use the homepage 4theWords to gamify my efforts. “The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron is a good read. Wishing you the best of luck. You can get out of that hole, it just might not be through pressure and willpower.
|
Don’t quit is the best advice I can offer. For me it’s an obsession that’s lasted decades. Finally doing a Masters degree in Creative Writing which I hope will be the final push. Study the craft and keep working at it. I’ve built my life around trying to master the craft of writing and I have no regrets. Edit: Funnily enough, I think my biggest regret was not being more committed to writing. I’ve had close family members constantly make sarcastic comments about my writing ambitions and let that get to me.
| 1 | 847 | 5 | ||
zev0ie
|
writing_train
| 0.87 |
Struggling to write with my self-confidence crushed So, a few years ago I wrote a novel in 3 months. Since then I've been trying to replicate the feat, but I've been finding myself growing slower and less confident as a writer until eventually I more or less stopped altogether. I've been trying to get back into things but it's extremely difficult for me, and every time I've tried to seek help, people have instead told me to give up or quit which has just hurt my confidence more. Trust me. I've taken breaks, I've exercised, I've touched grass, I've seen therapists, I'm on more medications than my 90-year-old grandfather is. None of it has helped I want to be a writer more than I want anything else in the world. That's not a dream I'm going to give up. I need help but I don't know where else to look. Please tell me someone has answers
|
iz8pxmy
|
iz8pk50
| 1,670,400,427 | 1,670,400,110 | 30 | 2 |
That reminds me a bit of a situation I was in. I wrote a short story for a university module and my professor thought it was the best thing since sliced bread. I had to read it to everyone, he compared it to the work of great classical authors and asked to use it in future semester as part of his teaching. I was obviously pleased as hell, until I sat my behind down to write the next thing. How was I EVER going to reach that level again?? When I wrote, it needed to be as good, née BETTER than that short story! The result? I couldn’t write for 10 years, as I was just completely locked up, every time I just thought about it. The expectations had completely gotten away from me and any semblance of realistic goals. What worked in the end, was trying to write with zero expectations. Just something fun. I still can’t write ‘literature’, because I honestly freeze up again. I’d start by writing your thoughts or anything that comes into your mind. Every day, at least 400 words (that’s my rule - obviously find one that works for you). Then have a look at some of the writing prompts here on Reddit and write something fun - just a mini short. Slowly build up from there. There’s also tools to help you get going again. I’ve found “Tim Clare’s The Couch to 80k Podcast” very helpful when stuck. I use the homepage 4theWords to gamify my efforts. “The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron is a good read. Wishing you the best of luck. You can get out of that hole, it just might not be through pressure and willpower.
|
I can tell the reason you’re ‘slowing’ is because it’s not fun anymore. The second you make it fun again, it’ll all come so much easier. Stop listening to what other people say, first of all (whoever is telling you to give up doesn’t know what they’re talking about) and start writing a little bit every other day (or weekend), whatever it is you want to write. Do a short story if a novel seems like too much right now. Free write, journal, whatever! Don’t worry about where it leads, just start by giving yourself permission to have fun and draft bad words.
| 1 | 317 | 15 | ||
zev0ie
|
writing_train
| 0.87 |
Struggling to write with my self-confidence crushed So, a few years ago I wrote a novel in 3 months. Since then I've been trying to replicate the feat, but I've been finding myself growing slower and less confident as a writer until eventually I more or less stopped altogether. I've been trying to get back into things but it's extremely difficult for me, and every time I've tried to seek help, people have instead told me to give up or quit which has just hurt my confidence more. Trust me. I've taken breaks, I've exercised, I've touched grass, I've seen therapists, I'm on more medications than my 90-year-old grandfather is. None of it has helped I want to be a writer more than I want anything else in the world. That's not a dream I'm going to give up. I need help but I don't know where else to look. Please tell me someone has answers
|
iz8p3d4
|
iz8uz9v
| 1,670,399,711 | 1,670,404,941 | 9 | 10 |
Give up. Quit. And learn to not care what random people tell you to do. Then do what you want to do. So write. There is no quick-fix magic potion. This is a YOU problem. YOU need to figure it out. Internet strangers aren't going to suddenly alter your reality when professional therapists haven't been able to. You're going to get generic advice not tailored to who you are. And then it'll be up to you to put that into action. No one else. Only thing I can suggest is long COVID. Maybe that's why you're feeling the way you are.
|
No offense but... is your novel any good? Maybe you're slowing down because you're growing as a writer? Maybe you're having doubts because you're learning of things you are or were doing wrong? For me, having doubts is the most normal thing in the world. I'm a perfectionist and my work will never be good enough for my own expectations. My advice to deal with this is: Just do it. Accept that it's not perfect, and most importantly don't pressure yourself into keeping deadlines. Different novels take different time and you know what they say: You can't rush genius.
| 0 | 5,230 | 1.111111 | ||
zev0ie
|
writing_train
| 0.87 |
Struggling to write with my self-confidence crushed So, a few years ago I wrote a novel in 3 months. Since then I've been trying to replicate the feat, but I've been finding myself growing slower and less confident as a writer until eventually I more or less stopped altogether. I've been trying to get back into things but it's extremely difficult for me, and every time I've tried to seek help, people have instead told me to give up or quit which has just hurt my confidence more. Trust me. I've taken breaks, I've exercised, I've touched grass, I've seen therapists, I'm on more medications than my 90-year-old grandfather is. None of it has helped I want to be a writer more than I want anything else in the world. That's not a dream I'm going to give up. I need help but I don't know where else to look. Please tell me someone has answers
|
iz8oxmi
|
iz8uz9v
| 1,670,399,580 | 1,670,404,941 | 6 | 10 |
Don’t quit is the best advice I can offer. For me it’s an obsession that’s lasted decades. Finally doing a Masters degree in Creative Writing which I hope will be the final push. Study the craft and keep working at it. I’ve built my life around trying to master the craft of writing and I have no regrets. Edit: Funnily enough, I think my biggest regret was not being more committed to writing. I’ve had close family members constantly make sarcastic comments about my writing ambitions and let that get to me.
|
No offense but... is your novel any good? Maybe you're slowing down because you're growing as a writer? Maybe you're having doubts because you're learning of things you are or were doing wrong? For me, having doubts is the most normal thing in the world. I'm a perfectionist and my work will never be good enough for my own expectations. My advice to deal with this is: Just do it. Accept that it's not perfect, and most importantly don't pressure yourself into keeping deadlines. Different novels take different time and you know what they say: You can't rush genius.
| 0 | 5,361 | 1.666667 | ||
zev0ie
|
writing_train
| 0.87 |
Struggling to write with my self-confidence crushed So, a few years ago I wrote a novel in 3 months. Since then I've been trying to replicate the feat, but I've been finding myself growing slower and less confident as a writer until eventually I more or less stopped altogether. I've been trying to get back into things but it's extremely difficult for me, and every time I've tried to seek help, people have instead told me to give up or quit which has just hurt my confidence more. Trust me. I've taken breaks, I've exercised, I've touched grass, I've seen therapists, I'm on more medications than my 90-year-old grandfather is. None of it has helped I want to be a writer more than I want anything else in the world. That's not a dream I'm going to give up. I need help but I don't know where else to look. Please tell me someone has answers
|
iz8uh1o
|
iz8uz9v
| 1,670,404,475 | 1,670,404,941 | 5 | 10 |
Hey I know how your feeling. That wanting to be a writer so bad it hurts. But the self confidence is garbage. There’s this site that allows you to type old literature. It helps you practice your typing. But it sounded like it might help you. Find a story you really like and type it out. Get the mechanical feel of writing and it might get the creativity flowing. Hunter S. Thompson would do something similar with The Great Gatsby. https://www.typingclub.com/sportal/program-3.game
|
No offense but... is your novel any good? Maybe you're slowing down because you're growing as a writer? Maybe you're having doubts because you're learning of things you are or were doing wrong? For me, having doubts is the most normal thing in the world. I'm a perfectionist and my work will never be good enough for my own expectations. My advice to deal with this is: Just do it. Accept that it's not perfect, and most importantly don't pressure yourself into keeping deadlines. Different novels take different time and you know what they say: You can't rush genius.
| 0 | 466 | 2 | ||
zev0ie
|
writing_train
| 0.87 |
Struggling to write with my self-confidence crushed So, a few years ago I wrote a novel in 3 months. Since then I've been trying to replicate the feat, but I've been finding myself growing slower and less confident as a writer until eventually I more or less stopped altogether. I've been trying to get back into things but it's extremely difficult for me, and every time I've tried to seek help, people have instead told me to give up or quit which has just hurt my confidence more. Trust me. I've taken breaks, I've exercised, I've touched grass, I've seen therapists, I'm on more medications than my 90-year-old grandfather is. None of it has helped I want to be a writer more than I want anything else in the world. That's not a dream I'm going to give up. I need help but I don't know where else to look. Please tell me someone has answers
|
iz8unv4
|
iz8uz9v
| 1,670,404,652 | 1,670,404,941 | 5 | 10 |
I'm going to tell you not to write. I have been doing this for over 8 years and have more than 25 books published and I wrote a couple that were so bad I pulled them from sale so I'm actually at 30 finished. I have had writers block several months out of a year for the last four years. I never am without ideas for stories. I kind of feel like readers in I'll never be able to write all the books I want to. I have sent myself into adrenal fatigue from the stress of not writing. It is awful. I finally stopped freaking out and started doing the other thing I love, read. Reading is as important as writing. Read the books you love, the authors you hope to be one day. Read the books that will be your competition. Enjoy yourself and breathe. I don't read while I'm writing because I'm scared I might accidentally steal something. So I usually have books waiting from my favorite authors. I start with them then I move on to the next big thing all over the place. This is going to sound really bad, I don't care. But usually the urge to write grows the longer I read a book I don't like. Like, I'll think well that was a stupid twist that wasn't necessary or fit the characters up to that point. Basically I start thinking of the way I would have written it. After a few more not so great books the ideas I had while reading grow until they demand to come out. Good luck, you've got this.
|
No offense but... is your novel any good? Maybe you're slowing down because you're growing as a writer? Maybe you're having doubts because you're learning of things you are or were doing wrong? For me, having doubts is the most normal thing in the world. I'm a perfectionist and my work will never be good enough for my own expectations. My advice to deal with this is: Just do it. Accept that it's not perfect, and most importantly don't pressure yourself into keeping deadlines. Different novels take different time and you know what they say: You can't rush genius.
| 0 | 289 | 2 | ||
zev0ie
|
writing_train
| 0.87 |
Struggling to write with my self-confidence crushed So, a few years ago I wrote a novel in 3 months. Since then I've been trying to replicate the feat, but I've been finding myself growing slower and less confident as a writer until eventually I more or less stopped altogether. I've been trying to get back into things but it's extremely difficult for me, and every time I've tried to seek help, people have instead told me to give up or quit which has just hurt my confidence more. Trust me. I've taken breaks, I've exercised, I've touched grass, I've seen therapists, I'm on more medications than my 90-year-old grandfather is. None of it has helped I want to be a writer more than I want anything else in the world. That's not a dream I'm going to give up. I need help but I don't know where else to look. Please tell me someone has answers
|
iz8pk50
|
iz8uz9v
| 1,670,400,110 | 1,670,404,941 | 2 | 10 |
I can tell the reason you’re ‘slowing’ is because it’s not fun anymore. The second you make it fun again, it’ll all come so much easier. Stop listening to what other people say, first of all (whoever is telling you to give up doesn’t know what they’re talking about) and start writing a little bit every other day (or weekend), whatever it is you want to write. Do a short story if a novel seems like too much right now. Free write, journal, whatever! Don’t worry about where it leads, just start by giving yourself permission to have fun and draft bad words.
|
No offense but... is your novel any good? Maybe you're slowing down because you're growing as a writer? Maybe you're having doubts because you're learning of things you are or were doing wrong? For me, having doubts is the most normal thing in the world. I'm a perfectionist and my work will never be good enough for my own expectations. My advice to deal with this is: Just do it. Accept that it's not perfect, and most importantly don't pressure yourself into keeping deadlines. Different novels take different time and you know what they say: You can't rush genius.
| 0 | 4,831 | 5 | ||
zev0ie
|
writing_train
| 0.87 |
Struggling to write with my self-confidence crushed So, a few years ago I wrote a novel in 3 months. Since then I've been trying to replicate the feat, but I've been finding myself growing slower and less confident as a writer until eventually I more or less stopped altogether. I've been trying to get back into things but it's extremely difficult for me, and every time I've tried to seek help, people have instead told me to give up or quit which has just hurt my confidence more. Trust me. I've taken breaks, I've exercised, I've touched grass, I've seen therapists, I'm on more medications than my 90-year-old grandfather is. None of it has helped I want to be a writer more than I want anything else in the world. That's not a dream I'm going to give up. I need help but I don't know where else to look. Please tell me someone has answers
|
iz8p3d4
|
iz8oxmi
| 1,670,399,711 | 1,670,399,580 | 9 | 6 |
Give up. Quit. And learn to not care what random people tell you to do. Then do what you want to do. So write. There is no quick-fix magic potion. This is a YOU problem. YOU need to figure it out. Internet strangers aren't going to suddenly alter your reality when professional therapists haven't been able to. You're going to get generic advice not tailored to who you are. And then it'll be up to you to put that into action. No one else. Only thing I can suggest is long COVID. Maybe that's why you're feeling the way you are.
|
Don’t quit is the best advice I can offer. For me it’s an obsession that’s lasted decades. Finally doing a Masters degree in Creative Writing which I hope will be the final push. Study the craft and keep working at it. I’ve built my life around trying to master the craft of writing and I have no regrets. Edit: Funnily enough, I think my biggest regret was not being more committed to writing. I’ve had close family members constantly make sarcastic comments about my writing ambitions and let that get to me.
| 1 | 131 | 1.5 | ||
zev0ie
|
writing_train
| 0.87 |
Struggling to write with my self-confidence crushed So, a few years ago I wrote a novel in 3 months. Since then I've been trying to replicate the feat, but I've been finding myself growing slower and less confident as a writer until eventually I more or less stopped altogether. I've been trying to get back into things but it's extremely difficult for me, and every time I've tried to seek help, people have instead told me to give up or quit which has just hurt my confidence more. Trust me. I've taken breaks, I've exercised, I've touched grass, I've seen therapists, I'm on more medications than my 90-year-old grandfather is. None of it has helped I want to be a writer more than I want anything else in the world. That's not a dream I'm going to give up. I need help but I don't know where else to look. Please tell me someone has answers
|
iz8vum5
|
iz8uh1o
| 1,670,405,748 | 1,670,404,475 | 6 | 5 |
With writing, the goal should NOT be to replicate the feat of writing a novel in 3 months. No sir. The goal should be to replicate the feat of whatever you did *yesterday*. Speed is MUCH less important than consistency, momentum, and rhythm. Find an idea that you want to write for no reason other than you like it and want to write it. If you can't make that work, try writing about what you want to write about (or would like to write about). Speaking for myself, as a writer of fantasy and science fiction, I *love* world-building, and world-building is my go-to method for generating ideas, whether's it because I'm in a rut, or because I'm embarking on a new project. I also have self-confidence problems, and I find that having writing buddies to ramble at is a great outlet for me to work through my ideas in a context that I enjoy (namely, explaining them to other people) that is more productive than frustrating myself by staring at the horror that is an empty page. If my self-confidence stops me from doing X, it's less because I'm worried about not being good and more because I'm terribly obsessive, and I know that if I get into thinking my story should do X in manner Y, then I'll have a great deal of trouble trying to figure out any other way in which X can be done, which is very problematic if it turns out that Y didn't work as well as I would have liked. Other than that fear of my own difficulties with changing my ideas, I find that my lack of self-confidence afflicts me most when I worry that I am not up to the task of doing a story justice, in which case I set it aside and work on something that I *can* do justice to. When I'm in the middle of work, however, confidence matters much less than simply riding the wave of the workflow and keeping myself focused. The ideal is to find a project that you can lose yourself in. That way, confidence doesn't matter one way or the other, you're just thinking about what you're doing *now* and what you're going to do *next*. Finally, and most importantly, the one UNIVERSAL sign of being a writer (literally, the only sign that matters) is that no matter how painful or difficult or frustrating or irritating the process is, AFTER YOU HAVE DONE YOUR WRITING FOR THE DAY, IT SHOULD FEEL SATISFYING TO HAVE DONE IT. That's the bottom line. As long as you are getting that feeling, keep on trucking.
|
Hey I know how your feeling. That wanting to be a writer so bad it hurts. But the self confidence is garbage. There’s this site that allows you to type old literature. It helps you practice your typing. But it sounded like it might help you. Find a story you really like and type it out. Get the mechanical feel of writing and it might get the creativity flowing. Hunter S. Thompson would do something similar with The Great Gatsby. https://www.typingclub.com/sportal/program-3.game
| 1 | 1,273 | 1.2 | ||
zev0ie
|
writing_train
| 0.87 |
Struggling to write with my self-confidence crushed So, a few years ago I wrote a novel in 3 months. Since then I've been trying to replicate the feat, but I've been finding myself growing slower and less confident as a writer until eventually I more or less stopped altogether. I've been trying to get back into things but it's extremely difficult for me, and every time I've tried to seek help, people have instead told me to give up or quit which has just hurt my confidence more. Trust me. I've taken breaks, I've exercised, I've touched grass, I've seen therapists, I'm on more medications than my 90-year-old grandfather is. None of it has helped I want to be a writer more than I want anything else in the world. That's not a dream I'm going to give up. I need help but I don't know where else to look. Please tell me someone has answers
|
iz8pk50
|
iz8uh1o
| 1,670,400,110 | 1,670,404,475 | 2 | 5 |
I can tell the reason you’re ‘slowing’ is because it’s not fun anymore. The second you make it fun again, it’ll all come so much easier. Stop listening to what other people say, first of all (whoever is telling you to give up doesn’t know what they’re talking about) and start writing a little bit every other day (or weekend), whatever it is you want to write. Do a short story if a novel seems like too much right now. Free write, journal, whatever! Don’t worry about where it leads, just start by giving yourself permission to have fun and draft bad words.
|
Hey I know how your feeling. That wanting to be a writer so bad it hurts. But the self confidence is garbage. There’s this site that allows you to type old literature. It helps you practice your typing. But it sounded like it might help you. Find a story you really like and type it out. Get the mechanical feel of writing and it might get the creativity flowing. Hunter S. Thompson would do something similar with The Great Gatsby. https://www.typingclub.com/sportal/program-3.game
| 0 | 4,365 | 2.5 | ||
zev0ie
|
writing_train
| 0.87 |
Struggling to write with my self-confidence crushed So, a few years ago I wrote a novel in 3 months. Since then I've been trying to replicate the feat, but I've been finding myself growing slower and less confident as a writer until eventually I more or less stopped altogether. I've been trying to get back into things but it's extremely difficult for me, and every time I've tried to seek help, people have instead told me to give up or quit which has just hurt my confidence more. Trust me. I've taken breaks, I've exercised, I've touched grass, I've seen therapists, I'm on more medications than my 90-year-old grandfather is. None of it has helped I want to be a writer more than I want anything else in the world. That's not a dream I'm going to give up. I need help but I don't know where else to look. Please tell me someone has answers
|
iz8unv4
|
iz8vum5
| 1,670,404,652 | 1,670,405,748 | 5 | 6 |
I'm going to tell you not to write. I have been doing this for over 8 years and have more than 25 books published and I wrote a couple that were so bad I pulled them from sale so I'm actually at 30 finished. I have had writers block several months out of a year for the last four years. I never am without ideas for stories. I kind of feel like readers in I'll never be able to write all the books I want to. I have sent myself into adrenal fatigue from the stress of not writing. It is awful. I finally stopped freaking out and started doing the other thing I love, read. Reading is as important as writing. Read the books you love, the authors you hope to be one day. Read the books that will be your competition. Enjoy yourself and breathe. I don't read while I'm writing because I'm scared I might accidentally steal something. So I usually have books waiting from my favorite authors. I start with them then I move on to the next big thing all over the place. This is going to sound really bad, I don't care. But usually the urge to write grows the longer I read a book I don't like. Like, I'll think well that was a stupid twist that wasn't necessary or fit the characters up to that point. Basically I start thinking of the way I would have written it. After a few more not so great books the ideas I had while reading grow until they demand to come out. Good luck, you've got this.
|
With writing, the goal should NOT be to replicate the feat of writing a novel in 3 months. No sir. The goal should be to replicate the feat of whatever you did *yesterday*. Speed is MUCH less important than consistency, momentum, and rhythm. Find an idea that you want to write for no reason other than you like it and want to write it. If you can't make that work, try writing about what you want to write about (or would like to write about). Speaking for myself, as a writer of fantasy and science fiction, I *love* world-building, and world-building is my go-to method for generating ideas, whether's it because I'm in a rut, or because I'm embarking on a new project. I also have self-confidence problems, and I find that having writing buddies to ramble at is a great outlet for me to work through my ideas in a context that I enjoy (namely, explaining them to other people) that is more productive than frustrating myself by staring at the horror that is an empty page. If my self-confidence stops me from doing X, it's less because I'm worried about not being good and more because I'm terribly obsessive, and I know that if I get into thinking my story should do X in manner Y, then I'll have a great deal of trouble trying to figure out any other way in which X can be done, which is very problematic if it turns out that Y didn't work as well as I would have liked. Other than that fear of my own difficulties with changing my ideas, I find that my lack of self-confidence afflicts me most when I worry that I am not up to the task of doing a story justice, in which case I set it aside and work on something that I *can* do justice to. When I'm in the middle of work, however, confidence matters much less than simply riding the wave of the workflow and keeping myself focused. The ideal is to find a project that you can lose yourself in. That way, confidence doesn't matter one way or the other, you're just thinking about what you're doing *now* and what you're going to do *next*. Finally, and most importantly, the one UNIVERSAL sign of being a writer (literally, the only sign that matters) is that no matter how painful or difficult or frustrating or irritating the process is, AFTER YOU HAVE DONE YOUR WRITING FOR THE DAY, IT SHOULD FEEL SATISFYING TO HAVE DONE IT. That's the bottom line. As long as you are getting that feeling, keep on trucking.
| 0 | 1,096 | 1.2 | ||
zev0ie
|
writing_train
| 0.87 |
Struggling to write with my self-confidence crushed So, a few years ago I wrote a novel in 3 months. Since then I've been trying to replicate the feat, but I've been finding myself growing slower and less confident as a writer until eventually I more or less stopped altogether. I've been trying to get back into things but it's extremely difficult for me, and every time I've tried to seek help, people have instead told me to give up or quit which has just hurt my confidence more. Trust me. I've taken breaks, I've exercised, I've touched grass, I've seen therapists, I'm on more medications than my 90-year-old grandfather is. None of it has helped I want to be a writer more than I want anything else in the world. That's not a dream I'm going to give up. I need help but I don't know where else to look. Please tell me someone has answers
|
iz8unv4
|
iz8pk50
| 1,670,404,652 | 1,670,400,110 | 5 | 2 |
I'm going to tell you not to write. I have been doing this for over 8 years and have more than 25 books published and I wrote a couple that were so bad I pulled them from sale so I'm actually at 30 finished. I have had writers block several months out of a year for the last four years. I never am without ideas for stories. I kind of feel like readers in I'll never be able to write all the books I want to. I have sent myself into adrenal fatigue from the stress of not writing. It is awful. I finally stopped freaking out and started doing the other thing I love, read. Reading is as important as writing. Read the books you love, the authors you hope to be one day. Read the books that will be your competition. Enjoy yourself and breathe. I don't read while I'm writing because I'm scared I might accidentally steal something. So I usually have books waiting from my favorite authors. I start with them then I move on to the next big thing all over the place. This is going to sound really bad, I don't care. But usually the urge to write grows the longer I read a book I don't like. Like, I'll think well that was a stupid twist that wasn't necessary or fit the characters up to that point. Basically I start thinking of the way I would have written it. After a few more not so great books the ideas I had while reading grow until they demand to come out. Good luck, you've got this.
|
I can tell the reason you’re ‘slowing’ is because it’s not fun anymore. The second you make it fun again, it’ll all come so much easier. Stop listening to what other people say, first of all (whoever is telling you to give up doesn’t know what they’re talking about) and start writing a little bit every other day (or weekend), whatever it is you want to write. Do a short story if a novel seems like too much right now. Free write, journal, whatever! Don’t worry about where it leads, just start by giving yourself permission to have fun and draft bad words.
| 1 | 4,542 | 2.5 | ||
zev0ie
|
writing_train
| 0.87 |
Struggling to write with my self-confidence crushed So, a few years ago I wrote a novel in 3 months. Since then I've been trying to replicate the feat, but I've been finding myself growing slower and less confident as a writer until eventually I more or less stopped altogether. I've been trying to get back into things but it's extremely difficult for me, and every time I've tried to seek help, people have instead told me to give up or quit which has just hurt my confidence more. Trust me. I've taken breaks, I've exercised, I've touched grass, I've seen therapists, I'm on more medications than my 90-year-old grandfather is. None of it has helped I want to be a writer more than I want anything else in the world. That's not a dream I'm going to give up. I need help but I don't know where else to look. Please tell me someone has answers
|
iz8vum5
|
iz8pk50
| 1,670,405,748 | 1,670,400,110 | 6 | 2 |
With writing, the goal should NOT be to replicate the feat of writing a novel in 3 months. No sir. The goal should be to replicate the feat of whatever you did *yesterday*. Speed is MUCH less important than consistency, momentum, and rhythm. Find an idea that you want to write for no reason other than you like it and want to write it. If you can't make that work, try writing about what you want to write about (or would like to write about). Speaking for myself, as a writer of fantasy and science fiction, I *love* world-building, and world-building is my go-to method for generating ideas, whether's it because I'm in a rut, or because I'm embarking on a new project. I also have self-confidence problems, and I find that having writing buddies to ramble at is a great outlet for me to work through my ideas in a context that I enjoy (namely, explaining them to other people) that is more productive than frustrating myself by staring at the horror that is an empty page. If my self-confidence stops me from doing X, it's less because I'm worried about not being good and more because I'm terribly obsessive, and I know that if I get into thinking my story should do X in manner Y, then I'll have a great deal of trouble trying to figure out any other way in which X can be done, which is very problematic if it turns out that Y didn't work as well as I would have liked. Other than that fear of my own difficulties with changing my ideas, I find that my lack of self-confidence afflicts me most when I worry that I am not up to the task of doing a story justice, in which case I set it aside and work on something that I *can* do justice to. When I'm in the middle of work, however, confidence matters much less than simply riding the wave of the workflow and keeping myself focused. The ideal is to find a project that you can lose yourself in. That way, confidence doesn't matter one way or the other, you're just thinking about what you're doing *now* and what you're going to do *next*. Finally, and most importantly, the one UNIVERSAL sign of being a writer (literally, the only sign that matters) is that no matter how painful or difficult or frustrating or irritating the process is, AFTER YOU HAVE DONE YOUR WRITING FOR THE DAY, IT SHOULD FEEL SATISFYING TO HAVE DONE IT. That's the bottom line. As long as you are getting that feeling, keep on trucking.
|
I can tell the reason you’re ‘slowing’ is because it’s not fun anymore. The second you make it fun again, it’ll all come so much easier. Stop listening to what other people say, first of all (whoever is telling you to give up doesn’t know what they’re talking about) and start writing a little bit every other day (or weekend), whatever it is you want to write. Do a short story if a novel seems like too much right now. Free write, journal, whatever! Don’t worry about where it leads, just start by giving yourself permission to have fun and draft bad words.
| 1 | 5,638 | 3 | ||
zev0ie
|
writing_train
| 0.87 |
Struggling to write with my self-confidence crushed So, a few years ago I wrote a novel in 3 months. Since then I've been trying to replicate the feat, but I've been finding myself growing slower and less confident as a writer until eventually I more or less stopped altogether. I've been trying to get back into things but it's extremely difficult for me, and every time I've tried to seek help, people have instead told me to give up or quit which has just hurt my confidence more. Trust me. I've taken breaks, I've exercised, I've touched grass, I've seen therapists, I'm on more medications than my 90-year-old grandfather is. None of it has helped I want to be a writer more than I want anything else in the world. That's not a dream I'm going to give up. I need help but I don't know where else to look. Please tell me someone has answers
|
iz942i0
|
iz96bx7
| 1,670,412,877 | 1,670,414,538 | 0 | 2 |
I think it sounds like you have underlying issues that you have to resolve first before focusing on writing. Usually, from what I've heard, writing is best done when in an inspired, creative state of mind. Not in a frustrated or anxious one. At least that's the case for me. So my advice would be: focus on the fun things in life, get rid of that medication in the long run if you can, try to let yourself be inspired. Once you're inspired, write. But you can't grind your way to creative achievement if you don't feel it.
|
The greatest advice I have received is that motivation is not solely to be relied upon. Your environment matters no matter how much you believe you are able to "work anywhere". Spend time finding an environment that works for you- ideally not your bedroom but if so, ensure you are comfortable at your desk, the room is clean and you have minimal distractions. After that routine solves 90% of motivation problems. Notice how you (most likely) never had any problems getting to school most days. You had to go, and you knew everyday it was on, it was happening. You might have produced poor quality work some days but you showed up and struggled through it. Assign an hour time slot for you to write once, twice, three times a week and make it the same time every week/day. Maybe start with an hour once a week. You have to do this. No other choice. Doesn't matter if you stare at the screen for an hour or just write random words. But you sit there and do it. After a month or two of doing this (no excuses!) up it to an hour twice a week. And so on... These things are difficult without accountability, I understand that, but for now, creating an imaginary accountability that you vow to never break and see what happens.
| 0 | 1,661 | 2,000 | ||
zev0ie
|
writing_train
| 0.87 |
Struggling to write with my self-confidence crushed So, a few years ago I wrote a novel in 3 months. Since then I've been trying to replicate the feat, but I've been finding myself growing slower and less confident as a writer until eventually I more or less stopped altogether. I've been trying to get back into things but it's extremely difficult for me, and every time I've tried to seek help, people have instead told me to give up or quit which has just hurt my confidence more. Trust me. I've taken breaks, I've exercised, I've touched grass, I've seen therapists, I'm on more medications than my 90-year-old grandfather is. None of it has helped I want to be a writer more than I want anything else in the world. That's not a dream I'm going to give up. I need help but I don't know where else to look. Please tell me someone has answers
|
iz9chcr
|
iz942i0
| 1,670,418,410 | 1,670,412,877 | 2 | 0 |
> I want to be a writer more than I want anything else in the world. > I wrote a novel in 3 months. Since then I've been trying to replicate the feat Writing a novel in 3 months is not required to be a writer. You should better align your intermediate goals with your high-level goals.
|
I think it sounds like you have underlying issues that you have to resolve first before focusing on writing. Usually, from what I've heard, writing is best done when in an inspired, creative state of mind. Not in a frustrated or anxious one. At least that's the case for me. So my advice would be: focus on the fun things in life, get rid of that medication in the long run if you can, try to let yourself be inspired. Once you're inspired, write. But you can't grind your way to creative achievement if you don't feel it.
| 1 | 5,533 | 2,000 | ||
zev0ie
|
writing_train
| 0.87 |
Struggling to write with my self-confidence crushed So, a few years ago I wrote a novel in 3 months. Since then I've been trying to replicate the feat, but I've been finding myself growing slower and less confident as a writer until eventually I more or less stopped altogether. I've been trying to get back into things but it's extremely difficult for me, and every time I've tried to seek help, people have instead told me to give up or quit which has just hurt my confidence more. Trust me. I've taken breaks, I've exercised, I've touched grass, I've seen therapists, I'm on more medications than my 90-year-old grandfather is. None of it has helped I want to be a writer more than I want anything else in the world. That's not a dream I'm going to give up. I need help but I don't know where else to look. Please tell me someone has answers
|
iz9chcr
|
iz97tkl
| 1,670,418,410 | 1,670,415,565 | 2 | 1 |
> I want to be a writer more than I want anything else in the world. > I wrote a novel in 3 months. Since then I've been trying to replicate the feat Writing a novel in 3 months is not required to be a writer. You should better align your intermediate goals with your high-level goals.
|
Maybe try writing something else, or setting a more tangible goal like a chapter a week. Read a lot for inspiration and to take a break
| 1 | 2,845 | 2 | ||
zev0ie
|
writing_train
| 0.87 |
Struggling to write with my self-confidence crushed So, a few years ago I wrote a novel in 3 months. Since then I've been trying to replicate the feat, but I've been finding myself growing slower and less confident as a writer until eventually I more or less stopped altogether. I've been trying to get back into things but it's extremely difficult for me, and every time I've tried to seek help, people have instead told me to give up or quit which has just hurt my confidence more. Trust me. I've taken breaks, I've exercised, I've touched grass, I've seen therapists, I'm on more medications than my 90-year-old grandfather is. None of it has helped I want to be a writer more than I want anything else in the world. That's not a dream I'm going to give up. I need help but I don't know where else to look. Please tell me someone has answers
|
iz9o1su
|
iz9e874
| 1,670,424,062 | 1,670,419,369 | 2 | 1 |
My advice would be to just write, every day, even for just a few minutes. It doesn't have to have a deadline, which could be part of the problem you're experiencing. You could do something dry and straightforward that doesn't require as much world-building, like non-fiction. Write a summary of some famous events or historical moments? Maybe a series on events that happened repeatedly or with regularity? Once you're in a place where you're experiencing less tension, THEN maybe challenge yourself with limitations?
|
There is no help to be given. Writers write. Writers have more ideas for stories than they have paper to write them down. If you want to be a writer, you have to force yourself to write every day. Treat it like a job. Don't wait for inspiration or for the stars to be aligned or to have a perfect day with a perfect setting for writing the perfect story. Just write. If you have nothing to write about, don't know how to access writing prompts, or can't wing it and write garbage, then you have to ask yourself why do you want to be a writer exactly?
| 1 | 4,693 | 2 | ||
zev0ie
|
writing_train
| 0.87 |
Struggling to write with my self-confidence crushed So, a few years ago I wrote a novel in 3 months. Since then I've been trying to replicate the feat, but I've been finding myself growing slower and less confident as a writer until eventually I more or less stopped altogether. I've been trying to get back into things but it's extremely difficult for me, and every time I've tried to seek help, people have instead told me to give up or quit which has just hurt my confidence more. Trust me. I've taken breaks, I've exercised, I've touched grass, I've seen therapists, I'm on more medications than my 90-year-old grandfather is. None of it has helped I want to be a writer more than I want anything else in the world. That's not a dream I'm going to give up. I need help but I don't know where else to look. Please tell me someone has answers
|
iz942i0
|
iz9o1su
| 1,670,412,877 | 1,670,424,062 | 0 | 2 |
I think it sounds like you have underlying issues that you have to resolve first before focusing on writing. Usually, from what I've heard, writing is best done when in an inspired, creative state of mind. Not in a frustrated or anxious one. At least that's the case for me. So my advice would be: focus on the fun things in life, get rid of that medication in the long run if you can, try to let yourself be inspired. Once you're inspired, write. But you can't grind your way to creative achievement if you don't feel it.
|
My advice would be to just write, every day, even for just a few minutes. It doesn't have to have a deadline, which could be part of the problem you're experiencing. You could do something dry and straightforward that doesn't require as much world-building, like non-fiction. Write a summary of some famous events or historical moments? Maybe a series on events that happened repeatedly or with regularity? Once you're in a place where you're experiencing less tension, THEN maybe challenge yourself with limitations?
| 0 | 11,185 | 2,000 | ||
zev0ie
|
writing_train
| 0.87 |
Struggling to write with my self-confidence crushed So, a few years ago I wrote a novel in 3 months. Since then I've been trying to replicate the feat, but I've been finding myself growing slower and less confident as a writer until eventually I more or less stopped altogether. I've been trying to get back into things but it's extremely difficult for me, and every time I've tried to seek help, people have instead told me to give up or quit which has just hurt my confidence more. Trust me. I've taken breaks, I've exercised, I've touched grass, I've seen therapists, I'm on more medications than my 90-year-old grandfather is. None of it has helped I want to be a writer more than I want anything else in the world. That's not a dream I'm going to give up. I need help but I don't know where else to look. Please tell me someone has answers
|
iz97tkl
|
iz9o1su
| 1,670,415,565 | 1,670,424,062 | 1 | 2 |
Maybe try writing something else, or setting a more tangible goal like a chapter a week. Read a lot for inspiration and to take a break
|
My advice would be to just write, every day, even for just a few minutes. It doesn't have to have a deadline, which could be part of the problem you're experiencing. You could do something dry and straightforward that doesn't require as much world-building, like non-fiction. Write a summary of some famous events or historical moments? Maybe a series on events that happened repeatedly or with regularity? Once you're in a place where you're experiencing less tension, THEN maybe challenge yourself with limitations?
| 0 | 8,497 | 2 | ||
zev0ie
|
writing_train
| 0.87 |
Struggling to write with my self-confidence crushed So, a few years ago I wrote a novel in 3 months. Since then I've been trying to replicate the feat, but I've been finding myself growing slower and less confident as a writer until eventually I more or less stopped altogether. I've been trying to get back into things but it's extremely difficult for me, and every time I've tried to seek help, people have instead told me to give up or quit which has just hurt my confidence more. Trust me. I've taken breaks, I've exercised, I've touched grass, I've seen therapists, I'm on more medications than my 90-year-old grandfather is. None of it has helped I want to be a writer more than I want anything else in the world. That's not a dream I'm going to give up. I need help but I don't know where else to look. Please tell me someone has answers
|
iz9o1su
|
iz9heh3
| 1,670,424,062 | 1,670,420,962 | 2 | 1 |
My advice would be to just write, every day, even for just a few minutes. It doesn't have to have a deadline, which could be part of the problem you're experiencing. You could do something dry and straightforward that doesn't require as much world-building, like non-fiction. Write a summary of some famous events or historical moments? Maybe a series on events that happened repeatedly or with regularity? Once you're in a place where you're experiencing less tension, THEN maybe challenge yourself with limitations?
|
I like a lot of the advice here. I think building a writing habit (try something like Shut Up and Write to give yourself accountability--and make writer friends) and joining a writing community (there are tons of writing organizations, classes, writing groups, nanowrimo regions, etc.) are crucial. Another thing I would suggest is to try new things. If you discovery wrote your first book, try outlining the next one. Or vice versa. Change your daily writing goal from words per day to minutes per day to scene per day. Try writing in a new genre or medium--give short stories or poetry a try. I know from personal experience that people can get locked into thinking there is one way to be a writer and if that one way doesn't work for them, it's really hard to keep going. I had a big breakthrough when I first tried outlining a nano novel. It was SO much easier than writing by the seat of my pants. But for other writers, outlining sucks the joy out. You have to experiment and find what works for you. Someone said to align your medium goals with your high level goal, and I think that is key. Why do you want to be a writer? Then make sure your follow-up goals work toward that. My own example is an extreme case. From childhood, I felt I was destined to be a writer, and I always said that's what I wanted to be. I love words and making them work the right way. I made a lot of great friends being in writing clubs in grade school. As I grew older, I realized those were the two reasons I wanted to be a writer: I wanted to play with words on the page and be friends with writers. I also realized that having ideas was not my strong suit. But you know what was my strong suit? Seeing ways writing could be better. So after a lot of practice and training, I became an editor instead. All the benefits (in my view) of being a writer, and none of the downsides! But other people hate editing. And there's nothing wrong with that. Figure out what your strengths and passions are, and play to that.
| 1 | 3,100 | 2 | ||
zev0ie
|
writing_train
| 0.87 |
Struggling to write with my self-confidence crushed So, a few years ago I wrote a novel in 3 months. Since then I've been trying to replicate the feat, but I've been finding myself growing slower and less confident as a writer until eventually I more or less stopped altogether. I've been trying to get back into things but it's extremely difficult for me, and every time I've tried to seek help, people have instead told me to give up or quit which has just hurt my confidence more. Trust me. I've taken breaks, I've exercised, I've touched grass, I've seen therapists, I'm on more medications than my 90-year-old grandfather is. None of it has helped I want to be a writer more than I want anything else in the world. That's not a dream I'm going to give up. I need help but I don't know where else to look. Please tell me someone has answers
|
iz9mwfk
|
iz9o1su
| 1,670,423,546 | 1,670,424,062 | 1 | 2 |
write four pages a day, every day. Doesn't matter if it's good or bad, just write. Writer's write, it sounds like you're not writing because you probably don't feel good enough, based on how you write about yourself. Of course you're not an amazing writer yet, you wrote one book in 3 months a few years ago. You need to be writing, it's okay if it's bad when you start, you're learning. Writing is being creative, but it has a rhythm and science behind it. Get to work.
|
My advice would be to just write, every day, even for just a few minutes. It doesn't have to have a deadline, which could be part of the problem you're experiencing. You could do something dry and straightforward that doesn't require as much world-building, like non-fiction. Write a summary of some famous events or historical moments? Maybe a series on events that happened repeatedly or with regularity? Once you're in a place where you're experiencing less tension, THEN maybe challenge yourself with limitations?
| 0 | 516 | 2 | ||
zev0ie
|
writing_train
| 0.87 |
Struggling to write with my self-confidence crushed So, a few years ago I wrote a novel in 3 months. Since then I've been trying to replicate the feat, but I've been finding myself growing slower and less confident as a writer until eventually I more or less stopped altogether. I've been trying to get back into things but it's extremely difficult for me, and every time I've tried to seek help, people have instead told me to give up or quit which has just hurt my confidence more. Trust me. I've taken breaks, I've exercised, I've touched grass, I've seen therapists, I'm on more medications than my 90-year-old grandfather is. None of it has helped I want to be a writer more than I want anything else in the world. That's not a dream I'm going to give up. I need help but I don't know where else to look. Please tell me someone has answers
|
iz9e874
|
iz942i0
| 1,670,419,369 | 1,670,412,877 | 1 | 0 |
There is no help to be given. Writers write. Writers have more ideas for stories than they have paper to write them down. If you want to be a writer, you have to force yourself to write every day. Treat it like a job. Don't wait for inspiration or for the stars to be aligned or to have a perfect day with a perfect setting for writing the perfect story. Just write. If you have nothing to write about, don't know how to access writing prompts, or can't wing it and write garbage, then you have to ask yourself why do you want to be a writer exactly?
|
I think it sounds like you have underlying issues that you have to resolve first before focusing on writing. Usually, from what I've heard, writing is best done when in an inspired, creative state of mind. Not in a frustrated or anxious one. At least that's the case for me. So my advice would be: focus on the fun things in life, get rid of that medication in the long run if you can, try to let yourself be inspired. Once you're inspired, write. But you can't grind your way to creative achievement if you don't feel it.
| 1 | 6,492 | 1,000 | ||
zev0ie
|
writing_train
| 0.87 |
Struggling to write with my self-confidence crushed So, a few years ago I wrote a novel in 3 months. Since then I've been trying to replicate the feat, but I've been finding myself growing slower and less confident as a writer until eventually I more or less stopped altogether. I've been trying to get back into things but it's extremely difficult for me, and every time I've tried to seek help, people have instead told me to give up or quit which has just hurt my confidence more. Trust me. I've taken breaks, I've exercised, I've touched grass, I've seen therapists, I'm on more medications than my 90-year-old grandfather is. None of it has helped I want to be a writer more than I want anything else in the world. That's not a dream I'm going to give up. I need help but I don't know where else to look. Please tell me someone has answers
|
iz942i0
|
iz97tkl
| 1,670,412,877 | 1,670,415,565 | 0 | 1 |
I think it sounds like you have underlying issues that you have to resolve first before focusing on writing. Usually, from what I've heard, writing is best done when in an inspired, creative state of mind. Not in a frustrated or anxious one. At least that's the case for me. So my advice would be: focus on the fun things in life, get rid of that medication in the long run if you can, try to let yourself be inspired. Once you're inspired, write. But you can't grind your way to creative achievement if you don't feel it.
|
Maybe try writing something else, or setting a more tangible goal like a chapter a week. Read a lot for inspiration and to take a break
| 0 | 2,688 | 1,000 | ||
zev0ie
|
writing_train
| 0.87 |
Struggling to write with my self-confidence crushed So, a few years ago I wrote a novel in 3 months. Since then I've been trying to replicate the feat, but I've been finding myself growing slower and less confident as a writer until eventually I more or less stopped altogether. I've been trying to get back into things but it's extremely difficult for me, and every time I've tried to seek help, people have instead told me to give up or quit which has just hurt my confidence more. Trust me. I've taken breaks, I've exercised, I've touched grass, I've seen therapists, I'm on more medications than my 90-year-old grandfather is. None of it has helped I want to be a writer more than I want anything else in the world. That's not a dream I'm going to give up. I need help but I don't know where else to look. Please tell me someone has answers
|
iz9heh3
|
iz942i0
| 1,670,420,962 | 1,670,412,877 | 1 | 0 |
I like a lot of the advice here. I think building a writing habit (try something like Shut Up and Write to give yourself accountability--and make writer friends) and joining a writing community (there are tons of writing organizations, classes, writing groups, nanowrimo regions, etc.) are crucial. Another thing I would suggest is to try new things. If you discovery wrote your first book, try outlining the next one. Or vice versa. Change your daily writing goal from words per day to minutes per day to scene per day. Try writing in a new genre or medium--give short stories or poetry a try. I know from personal experience that people can get locked into thinking there is one way to be a writer and if that one way doesn't work for them, it's really hard to keep going. I had a big breakthrough when I first tried outlining a nano novel. It was SO much easier than writing by the seat of my pants. But for other writers, outlining sucks the joy out. You have to experiment and find what works for you. Someone said to align your medium goals with your high level goal, and I think that is key. Why do you want to be a writer? Then make sure your follow-up goals work toward that. My own example is an extreme case. From childhood, I felt I was destined to be a writer, and I always said that's what I wanted to be. I love words and making them work the right way. I made a lot of great friends being in writing clubs in grade school. As I grew older, I realized those were the two reasons I wanted to be a writer: I wanted to play with words on the page and be friends with writers. I also realized that having ideas was not my strong suit. But you know what was my strong suit? Seeing ways writing could be better. So after a lot of practice and training, I became an editor instead. All the benefits (in my view) of being a writer, and none of the downsides! But other people hate editing. And there's nothing wrong with that. Figure out what your strengths and passions are, and play to that.
|
I think it sounds like you have underlying issues that you have to resolve first before focusing on writing. Usually, from what I've heard, writing is best done when in an inspired, creative state of mind. Not in a frustrated or anxious one. At least that's the case for me. So my advice would be: focus on the fun things in life, get rid of that medication in the long run if you can, try to let yourself be inspired. Once you're inspired, write. But you can't grind your way to creative achievement if you don't feel it.
| 1 | 8,085 | 1,000 | ||
zev0ie
|
writing_train
| 0.87 |
Struggling to write with my self-confidence crushed So, a few years ago I wrote a novel in 3 months. Since then I've been trying to replicate the feat, but I've been finding myself growing slower and less confident as a writer until eventually I more or less stopped altogether. I've been trying to get back into things but it's extremely difficult for me, and every time I've tried to seek help, people have instead told me to give up or quit which has just hurt my confidence more. Trust me. I've taken breaks, I've exercised, I've touched grass, I've seen therapists, I'm on more medications than my 90-year-old grandfather is. None of it has helped I want to be a writer more than I want anything else in the world. That's not a dream I'm going to give up. I need help but I don't know where else to look. Please tell me someone has answers
|
iz9mwfk
|
iz942i0
| 1,670,423,546 | 1,670,412,877 | 1 | 0 |
write four pages a day, every day. Doesn't matter if it's good or bad, just write. Writer's write, it sounds like you're not writing because you probably don't feel good enough, based on how you write about yourself. Of course you're not an amazing writer yet, you wrote one book in 3 months a few years ago. You need to be writing, it's okay if it's bad when you start, you're learning. Writing is being creative, but it has a rhythm and science behind it. Get to work.
|
I think it sounds like you have underlying issues that you have to resolve first before focusing on writing. Usually, from what I've heard, writing is best done when in an inspired, creative state of mind. Not in a frustrated or anxious one. At least that's the case for me. So my advice would be: focus on the fun things in life, get rid of that medication in the long run if you can, try to let yourself be inspired. Once you're inspired, write. But you can't grind your way to creative achievement if you don't feel it.
| 1 | 10,669 | 1,000 | ||
zev0ie
|
writing_train
| 0.87 |
Struggling to write with my self-confidence crushed So, a few years ago I wrote a novel in 3 months. Since then I've been trying to replicate the feat, but I've been finding myself growing slower and less confident as a writer until eventually I more or less stopped altogether. I've been trying to get back into things but it's extremely difficult for me, and every time I've tried to seek help, people have instead told me to give up or quit which has just hurt my confidence more. Trust me. I've taken breaks, I've exercised, I've touched grass, I've seen therapists, I'm on more medications than my 90-year-old grandfather is. None of it has helped I want to be a writer more than I want anything else in the world. That's not a dream I'm going to give up. I need help but I don't know where else to look. Please tell me someone has answers
|
iz942i0
|
iz9pl6b
| 1,670,412,877 | 1,670,424,738 | 0 | 1 |
I think it sounds like you have underlying issues that you have to resolve first before focusing on writing. Usually, from what I've heard, writing is best done when in an inspired, creative state of mind. Not in a frustrated or anxious one. At least that's the case for me. So my advice would be: focus on the fun things in life, get rid of that medication in the long run if you can, try to let yourself be inspired. Once you're inspired, write. But you can't grind your way to creative achievement if you don't feel it.
|
I struggle with the same. I know deep in my heart, writing is about passion and love for the sake of doing it. Even a little bit each day. A line each day. An idea each day. We need to do it for ourselves, not anything else. Write because we love words, because we love stories, and because we love expression. Do it for you and you alone. If something comes from it, cool, that expectation, at least for me, which might help, is just a bonus. Just write for love. Have fun with it, even if you know it's trite and trash, just do it, because it's our way of expression.
| 0 | 11,861 | 1,000 | ||
zev0ie
|
writing_train
| 0.87 |
Struggling to write with my self-confidence crushed So, a few years ago I wrote a novel in 3 months. Since then I've been trying to replicate the feat, but I've been finding myself growing slower and less confident as a writer until eventually I more or less stopped altogether. I've been trying to get back into things but it's extremely difficult for me, and every time I've tried to seek help, people have instead told me to give up or quit which has just hurt my confidence more. Trust me. I've taken breaks, I've exercised, I've touched grass, I've seen therapists, I'm on more medications than my 90-year-old grandfather is. None of it has helped I want to be a writer more than I want anything else in the world. That's not a dream I'm going to give up. I need help but I don't know where else to look. Please tell me someone has answers
|
iz942i0
|
iz9qovo
| 1,670,412,877 | 1,670,425,213 | 0 | 1 |
I think it sounds like you have underlying issues that you have to resolve first before focusing on writing. Usually, from what I've heard, writing is best done when in an inspired, creative state of mind. Not in a frustrated or anxious one. At least that's the case for me. So my advice would be: focus on the fun things in life, get rid of that medication in the long run if you can, try to let yourself be inspired. Once you're inspired, write. But you can't grind your way to creative achievement if you don't feel it.
|
When i was on a lot of medications i couldnt write nor wanted to write. Your medications might be the reason for not wanting to write. Since ive been off medications all my ideas have been flowing and ive been writing like crazy lately. Just something to consider. I wouldnt stress to much about it. Ideas and writing will come in time.
| 0 | 12,336 | 1,000 | ||
zev0ie
|
writing_train
| 0.87 |
Struggling to write with my self-confidence crushed So, a few years ago I wrote a novel in 3 months. Since then I've been trying to replicate the feat, but I've been finding myself growing slower and less confident as a writer until eventually I more or less stopped altogether. I've been trying to get back into things but it's extremely difficult for me, and every time I've tried to seek help, people have instead told me to give up or quit which has just hurt my confidence more. Trust me. I've taken breaks, I've exercised, I've touched grass, I've seen therapists, I'm on more medications than my 90-year-old grandfather is. None of it has helped I want to be a writer more than I want anything else in the world. That's not a dream I'm going to give up. I need help but I don't know where else to look. Please tell me someone has answers
|
iz9sl7z
|
iz942i0
| 1,670,426,020 | 1,670,412,877 | 1 | 0 |
Sometimes it's OK to rush and write a lot in 3 months. NaNoWriMo is like that. I did 40K a year ago in 1 mo. with NaNoWriMo, then finished the first draft reaching 110K in another 2 months. But most authors spend a year or two writing a book. Usually, they spend as much time editing and polishing the first draft of the book as they did writing it. I spent a year editing and polishing that first draft. All authors struggle with writer's block or periods where it's hard to write. Try reading some books on the writing process. Writing Down the Bones is an excellent book. The main thing I've learned is to write a little every day, even if it's 15 min. Otherwise, life's minutiae get in the way.
|
I think it sounds like you have underlying issues that you have to resolve first before focusing on writing. Usually, from what I've heard, writing is best done when in an inspired, creative state of mind. Not in a frustrated or anxious one. At least that's the case for me. So my advice would be: focus on the fun things in life, get rid of that medication in the long run if you can, try to let yourself be inspired. Once you're inspired, write. But you can't grind your way to creative achievement if you don't feel it.
| 1 | 13,143 | 1,000 | ||
zev0ie
|
writing_train
| 0.87 |
Struggling to write with my self-confidence crushed So, a few years ago I wrote a novel in 3 months. Since then I've been trying to replicate the feat, but I've been finding myself growing slower and less confident as a writer until eventually I more or less stopped altogether. I've been trying to get back into things but it's extremely difficult for me, and every time I've tried to seek help, people have instead told me to give up or quit which has just hurt my confidence more. Trust me. I've taken breaks, I've exercised, I've touched grass, I've seen therapists, I'm on more medications than my 90-year-old grandfather is. None of it has helped I want to be a writer more than I want anything else in the world. That's not a dream I'm going to give up. I need help but I don't know where else to look. Please tell me someone has answers
|
izac5r2
|
iz942i0
| 1,670,433,904 | 1,670,412,877 | 1 | 0 |
Do you have a story that you want to write? If so, stop putting undue pressure on yourself to meet the expectations of years ago and just write at a pace you enjoy.
|
I think it sounds like you have underlying issues that you have to resolve first before focusing on writing. Usually, from what I've heard, writing is best done when in an inspired, creative state of mind. Not in a frustrated or anxious one. At least that's the case for me. So my advice would be: focus on the fun things in life, get rid of that medication in the long run if you can, try to let yourself be inspired. Once you're inspired, write. But you can't grind your way to creative achievement if you don't feel it.
| 1 | 21,027 | 1,000 | ||
zev0ie
|
writing_train
| 0.87 |
Struggling to write with my self-confidence crushed So, a few years ago I wrote a novel in 3 months. Since then I've been trying to replicate the feat, but I've been finding myself growing slower and less confident as a writer until eventually I more or less stopped altogether. I've been trying to get back into things but it's extremely difficult for me, and every time I've tried to seek help, people have instead told me to give up or quit which has just hurt my confidence more. Trust me. I've taken breaks, I've exercised, I've touched grass, I've seen therapists, I'm on more medications than my 90-year-old grandfather is. None of it has helped I want to be a writer more than I want anything else in the world. That's not a dream I'm going to give up. I need help but I don't know where else to look. Please tell me someone has answers
|
iz942i0
|
izaoyv4
| 1,670,412,877 | 1,670,438,904 | 0 | 1 |
I think it sounds like you have underlying issues that you have to resolve first before focusing on writing. Usually, from what I've heard, writing is best done when in an inspired, creative state of mind. Not in a frustrated or anxious one. At least that's the case for me. So my advice would be: focus on the fun things in life, get rid of that medication in the long run if you can, try to let yourself be inspired. Once you're inspired, write. But you can't grind your way to creative achievement if you don't feel it.
|
A few thoughts: 1. Consider adjusting your deadline. It's good to set goals, but three months is not a very long time for writing a novel. Also, you might try setting shorter, smaller deadlines for yourself (rather than 'write a novel in three months'). I'm absolute crap and tackling long-term, big projects unless I chop them up into littler bits. Maybe set a wordcount goal for the week, or even for a single day - nothing too crazy. Then go from there. 2. I think all writers go through self-confidence struggles, and that sucks. It's hard. You've got to push back as much as possible, and sometimes, the only way to regain some of that confidence is to get beyond your current slump and simply prove to yourself that you CAN get past it. Write your way out of this slump, would be my advice. It doesn't have to be perfect, or a novel, but get some words on paper. Prove to yourself that you can. 3. If at all possible, find people to talk to about your current project or possible projects. I often find talking about the thing makes me excited to write it down. The people you talk to don't even have to be writers! Anybody will do. I'm not talking about sharing your fears and concerns, mind - I'm talking about sharing the contents of your work or possible works. Talking over characters, plot, etc. 4. Consider that this is part of the growing process. I think it is not uncommon to have a blast writing your \*first\* project, because it feels daring and exciting and you have zero expectations going in - every bit you accomplish is a happy surprise. You finish and celebrate. Yay. Then you look over your work, edit, engage with it critically, and (if you're like me), set out to learn more about the craft of writing in general. And then you begin to see all the things your newbie self was doing wrong, and all the things you still have to learn. Then suddenly, it's more difficult to write. You're thinking about all that other stuff instead of throwing words down willy-nilly like you did the first time. I don't know that there's an easy fix for this. I can only say that it took a lot of practice to reach a more knowledgeable sort of confidence, which is quite different from the (entirely unfounded, naïve) confidence I had when I first started writing. 5. I also think you have to train yourself to separate your writer brain from your editor brain. You *cannot* be overly critical during a first draft, because you'll kill all your creativity. This is what happened to me after I started really trying to learn to write, and I had to fight against it. Be gentle with yourself during draft one. You can fix all of it in subsequent drafts. 6. Evaluate your goals and expectations. Why do you want to do this? Why is it important to write a book in three months? Why do you want to be a writer at all? What about doing this thing has drawn you in? Is it the idea of being a bestselling novelist and an overnight success? Because the odds of that happening are really, really slim. But if your motivation is that you truly enjoy storytelling and writing, that you find joy in it regardless of results, then you'll ultimately be fine. That intrinsic reward is always there, no matter how fast you write or whether anybody likes what you've made. Love of the everyday work of writing is the thing that will get you through the minefield of writing successes and failures, and the process of honing your craft. 7. good luck, I really hope you can push past this <3
| 0 | 26,027 | 1,000 | ||
zev0ie
|
writing_train
| 0.87 |
Struggling to write with my self-confidence crushed So, a few years ago I wrote a novel in 3 months. Since then I've been trying to replicate the feat, but I've been finding myself growing slower and less confident as a writer until eventually I more or less stopped altogether. I've been trying to get back into things but it's extremely difficult for me, and every time I've tried to seek help, people have instead told me to give up or quit which has just hurt my confidence more. Trust me. I've taken breaks, I've exercised, I've touched grass, I've seen therapists, I'm on more medications than my 90-year-old grandfather is. None of it has helped I want to be a writer more than I want anything else in the world. That's not a dream I'm going to give up. I need help but I don't know where else to look. Please tell me someone has answers
|
iz942i0
|
izb06dd
| 1,670,412,877 | 1,670,443,323 | 0 | 1 |
I think it sounds like you have underlying issues that you have to resolve first before focusing on writing. Usually, from what I've heard, writing is best done when in an inspired, creative state of mind. Not in a frustrated or anxious one. At least that's the case for me. So my advice would be: focus on the fun things in life, get rid of that medication in the long run if you can, try to let yourself be inspired. Once you're inspired, write. But you can't grind your way to creative achievement if you don't feel it.
|
Did you ever learn how to write? I meant no offense. I am asking because anyone can write a novel-length text quickly. But, is it readable, is it any good, can it be good with some coaching, does it only need editing, or is it a masterpiece waiting to meet its market? And it is quite possible to get college writing degrees and not be able to write a novel. Writing a novel is a really tough thing to accomplish, even for a fully trained writer. So, are you going into the cave of the force without having completed your Jedi training and expecting to defeat your inner self? With what tools will you battle self-doubt? If you do not have training in writing novels, get it. And good luck to you, writing your second novel is a daunting task and you wrote your first one so fast.
| 0 | 30,446 | 1,000 | ||
zev0ie
|
writing_train
| 0.87 |
Struggling to write with my self-confidence crushed So, a few years ago I wrote a novel in 3 months. Since then I've been trying to replicate the feat, but I've been finding myself growing slower and less confident as a writer until eventually I more or less stopped altogether. I've been trying to get back into things but it's extremely difficult for me, and every time I've tried to seek help, people have instead told me to give up or quit which has just hurt my confidence more. Trust me. I've taken breaks, I've exercised, I've touched grass, I've seen therapists, I'm on more medications than my 90-year-old grandfather is. None of it has helped I want to be a writer more than I want anything else in the world. That's not a dream I'm going to give up. I need help but I don't know where else to look. Please tell me someone has answers
|
izb1hkr
|
iz942i0
| 1,670,443,837 | 1,670,412,877 | 1 | 0 |
>So, a few years ago I wrote a novel in 3 months. 3 months is insane. Nuh-uh. You’ve been trying to get into what? A ridiculously fast pace? You’ve been trying to replicate that ridiculously impressive feat ever since? Are you comparing everything you do in the present to what you did in the past? *Did you let this define you as a writer?* Impossible expectations are so big that they crush everything. You find your rhythm in writing. Don’t be sad if it’s slower than the past or else you are letting the past define you.
|
I think it sounds like you have underlying issues that you have to resolve first before focusing on writing. Usually, from what I've heard, writing is best done when in an inspired, creative state of mind. Not in a frustrated or anxious one. At least that's the case for me. So my advice would be: focus on the fun things in life, get rid of that medication in the long run if you can, try to let yourself be inspired. Once you're inspired, write. But you can't grind your way to creative achievement if you don't feel it.
| 1 | 30,960 | 1,000 | ||
zev0ie
|
writing_train
| 0.87 |
Struggling to write with my self-confidence crushed So, a few years ago I wrote a novel in 3 months. Since then I've been trying to replicate the feat, but I've been finding myself growing slower and less confident as a writer until eventually I more or less stopped altogether. I've been trying to get back into things but it's extremely difficult for me, and every time I've tried to seek help, people have instead told me to give up or quit which has just hurt my confidence more. Trust me. I've taken breaks, I've exercised, I've touched grass, I've seen therapists, I'm on more medications than my 90-year-old grandfather is. None of it has helped I want to be a writer more than I want anything else in the world. That's not a dream I'm going to give up. I need help but I don't know where else to look. Please tell me someone has answers
|
izb693j
|
iz942i0
| 1,670,445,705 | 1,670,412,877 | 1 | 0 |
Look up the monologue from Atlas Shrugged and see how far you can get reading it till you give up. Understand that not only was that published in a book, but it was even longer before the editor convinced the author to shorten it. In other words, read more bad stories that have been successfully published. You'll see what has been allowed to go into print and not only will you avoid the same errors (If you paid attention) but you will feel more confidence in getting to print.
|
I think it sounds like you have underlying issues that you have to resolve first before focusing on writing. Usually, from what I've heard, writing is best done when in an inspired, creative state of mind. Not in a frustrated or anxious one. At least that's the case for me. So my advice would be: focus on the fun things in life, get rid of that medication in the long run if you can, try to let yourself be inspired. Once you're inspired, write. But you can't grind your way to creative achievement if you don't feel it.
| 1 | 32,828 | 1,000 | ||
zev0ie
|
writing_train
| 0.87 |
Struggling to write with my self-confidence crushed So, a few years ago I wrote a novel in 3 months. Since then I've been trying to replicate the feat, but I've been finding myself growing slower and less confident as a writer until eventually I more or less stopped altogether. I've been trying to get back into things but it's extremely difficult for me, and every time I've tried to seek help, people have instead told me to give up or quit which has just hurt my confidence more. Trust me. I've taken breaks, I've exercised, I've touched grass, I've seen therapists, I'm on more medications than my 90-year-old grandfather is. None of it has helped I want to be a writer more than I want anything else in the world. That's not a dream I'm going to give up. I need help but I don't know where else to look. Please tell me someone has answers
|
iz942i0
|
izb8d0q
| 1,670,412,877 | 1,670,446,523 | 0 | 1 |
I think it sounds like you have underlying issues that you have to resolve first before focusing on writing. Usually, from what I've heard, writing is best done when in an inspired, creative state of mind. Not in a frustrated or anxious one. At least that's the case for me. So my advice would be: focus on the fun things in life, get rid of that medication in the long run if you can, try to let yourself be inspired. Once you're inspired, write. But you can't grind your way to creative achievement if you don't feel it.
|
Write things that suck. You can't write anything good until you have a lot of bad first drafts. People underestimate how important and necessary horrible first drafts are to the writing process. Take it slow. It's not going to turn out great on the first go and that's okay! It's a needed step! It helps you learn.
| 0 | 33,646 | 1,000 | ||
zev0ie
|
writing_train
| 0.87 |
Struggling to write with my self-confidence crushed So, a few years ago I wrote a novel in 3 months. Since then I've been trying to replicate the feat, but I've been finding myself growing slower and less confident as a writer until eventually I more or less stopped altogether. I've been trying to get back into things but it's extremely difficult for me, and every time I've tried to seek help, people have instead told me to give up or quit which has just hurt my confidence more. Trust me. I've taken breaks, I've exercised, I've touched grass, I've seen therapists, I'm on more medications than my 90-year-old grandfather is. None of it has helped I want to be a writer more than I want anything else in the world. That's not a dream I'm going to give up. I need help but I don't know where else to look. Please tell me someone has answers
|
iz942i0
|
izbe0no
| 1,670,412,877 | 1,670,448,862 | 0 | 1 |
I think it sounds like you have underlying issues that you have to resolve first before focusing on writing. Usually, from what I've heard, writing is best done when in an inspired, creative state of mind. Not in a frustrated or anxious one. At least that's the case for me. So my advice would be: focus on the fun things in life, get rid of that medication in the long run if you can, try to let yourself be inspired. Once you're inspired, write. But you can't grind your way to creative achievement if you don't feel it.
|
Well... I can only say what worked for me. I said fuck it! Don't care if anyone else reads what I write.. I'm just writing to have the fun of writing! For the record, I'm a 'pantser' I do not plot out in advance what's going to happen, so writing is as much a journey of discovery for me, as reading it is for anyone else. I've only just gotten out of the hole I feel into after my last book crashed and burned.. about a year ago. (I found out I was a much better writer than a marketer... and if anyone has any hints how to promote a book on a zero budget, I'm all ears!) but so far I'm having a blast! lack of confidence is only a problem if you have expectations, so I got my zen on, and cleared my head of all expectations.
| 0 | 35,985 | 1,000 | ||
zev0ie
|
writing_train
| 0.87 |
Struggling to write with my self-confidence crushed So, a few years ago I wrote a novel in 3 months. Since then I've been trying to replicate the feat, but I've been finding myself growing slower and less confident as a writer until eventually I more or less stopped altogether. I've been trying to get back into things but it's extremely difficult for me, and every time I've tried to seek help, people have instead told me to give up or quit which has just hurt my confidence more. Trust me. I've taken breaks, I've exercised, I've touched grass, I've seen therapists, I'm on more medications than my 90-year-old grandfather is. None of it has helped I want to be a writer more than I want anything else in the world. That's not a dream I'm going to give up. I need help but I don't know where else to look. Please tell me someone has answers
|
iz942i0
|
izd7lgf
| 1,670,412,877 | 1,670,479,732 | 0 | 1 |
I think it sounds like you have underlying issues that you have to resolve first before focusing on writing. Usually, from what I've heard, writing is best done when in an inspired, creative state of mind. Not in a frustrated or anxious one. At least that's the case for me. So my advice would be: focus on the fun things in life, get rid of that medication in the long run if you can, try to let yourself be inspired. Once you're inspired, write. But you can't grind your way to creative achievement if you don't feel it.
|
You wrote a complete novel. That is awesome. Most people never even get that far.
| 0 | 66,855 | 1,000 | ||
zev0ie
|
writing_train
| 0.87 |
Struggling to write with my self-confidence crushed So, a few years ago I wrote a novel in 3 months. Since then I've been trying to replicate the feat, but I've been finding myself growing slower and less confident as a writer until eventually I more or less stopped altogether. I've been trying to get back into things but it's extremely difficult for me, and every time I've tried to seek help, people have instead told me to give up or quit which has just hurt my confidence more. Trust me. I've taken breaks, I've exercised, I've touched grass, I've seen therapists, I'm on more medications than my 90-year-old grandfather is. None of it has helped I want to be a writer more than I want anything else in the world. That's not a dream I'm going to give up. I need help but I don't know where else to look. Please tell me someone has answers
|
iz942i0
|
izee8jg
| 1,670,412,877 | 1,670,509,967 | 0 | 1 |
I think it sounds like you have underlying issues that you have to resolve first before focusing on writing. Usually, from what I've heard, writing is best done when in an inspired, creative state of mind. Not in a frustrated or anxious one. At least that's the case for me. So my advice would be: focus on the fun things in life, get rid of that medication in the long run if you can, try to let yourself be inspired. Once you're inspired, write. But you can't grind your way to creative achievement if you don't feel it.
|
If you want to be a writer, stop making excuses and write. It's your own brain that's making you not write. You've been places, seen professionals, the only thing left is to stop letting this shit rule you and put your ass in a chair and write. Let me give you the advice novelist Nora Roberts has on her site: >Stop making excuses and write. >Stop whining and write. >Stop fucking around and write. These are simple rules to remember. Most problems people post about here have nothing to do with their health, their circumstances, their dream of writing. It all comes down to the fact that they can't just sit down and write. They won't study the craft. They won't practice. They don't want to read. They expect writing to be something they can do and be instantly famous and rich. **It just doesn't work that way.**
| 0 | 97,090 | 1,000 | ||
kskfit
|
writing_train
| 0.97 |
How do you guys deal with negative feedback? When i was 14- I started writing and posting short stories. People told me they were terrible and it's "obvious"I don't have any talent. So, I quit. I tried screenwriting but I got the same response. A kid at school even threw my work in the garbage and said that's where it belongs. I completely quit writing at that point. Years later after high school, I finally manged to gain the courage to post a short story. I just got my first comment saying it's awful. I know people get negative feedback all the time, and for the most part I'm dealing with it better but if you had a novel/ short story you were writing and people told you that it's terrible/poorly written/ stupid idea, would you keep working on it or abandon it completely?
|
gighmx2
|
giggsdl
| 1,610,047,812 | 1,610,047,434 | 62 | 15 |
You can safely ignore people who just say that it's "awful". Find someone who tells you why it's awful, who points out specific flaws - terrible grammar, no pacing, stereotypical characters, flowery prose, boring sentence structure, whatever. You'll still have to deal with the fact that it's awful, but at least you'll have pointers how to get better.
|
Steven King would literally pin up every rejection letter he would get on a wall. He used it to fuel himself to keep writing, because let's face it not everyone is going to like what someone does. "Facing the Literal Wall of Rejection as a Writer | Diagnosis Life, LLC" https://diagnosislife.com/facing-literal-wall-of-rejection-writer/
| 1 | 378 | 4.133333 | ||
kskfit
|
writing_train
| 0.97 |
How do you guys deal with negative feedback? When i was 14- I started writing and posting short stories. People told me they were terrible and it's "obvious"I don't have any talent. So, I quit. I tried screenwriting but I got the same response. A kid at school even threw my work in the garbage and said that's where it belongs. I completely quit writing at that point. Years later after high school, I finally manged to gain the courage to post a short story. I just got my first comment saying it's awful. I know people get negative feedback all the time, and for the most part I'm dealing with it better but if you had a novel/ short story you were writing and people told you that it's terrible/poorly written/ stupid idea, would you keep working on it or abandon it completely?
|
gighmx2
|
gigh7z3
| 1,610,047,812 | 1,610,047,628 | 62 | 9 |
You can safely ignore people who just say that it's "awful". Find someone who tells you why it's awful, who points out specific flaws - terrible grammar, no pacing, stereotypical characters, flowery prose, boring sentence structure, whatever. You'll still have to deal with the fact that it's awful, but at least you'll have pointers how to get better.
|
It’s ok for your writing to be bad in the beginning. Keep writing, and focus on the constructive feedback, whether it be positive or negative. Use that to identify where you should focus on improving. There are also sites that are designed for giving and receiving feedback like scribophile.com for example. Writing is a skill like any other, you’re likely going to suck in the beginning. Just accept that, keep trying and just have fun being creative. The more you write (and read), the better you will get.
| 1 | 184 | 6.888889 | ||
kskfit
|
writing_train
| 0.97 |
How do you guys deal with negative feedback? When i was 14- I started writing and posting short stories. People told me they were terrible and it's "obvious"I don't have any talent. So, I quit. I tried screenwriting but I got the same response. A kid at school even threw my work in the garbage and said that's where it belongs. I completely quit writing at that point. Years later after high school, I finally manged to gain the courage to post a short story. I just got my first comment saying it's awful. I know people get negative feedback all the time, and for the most part I'm dealing with it better but if you had a novel/ short story you were writing and people told you that it's terrible/poorly written/ stupid idea, would you keep working on it or abandon it completely?
|
giggws4
|
gighmx2
| 1,610,047,489 | 1,610,047,812 | 2 | 62 |
So what I do is compare my writing to my attempts at dunking a basketball on. Regulation size hoop. I’m 5’10” ish, so not too tall, but not too short. Long story short I can’t dunk. It’s ugly, I look silly, and anyone watching can see that I cannot dunk. It’s a terrible event. However, when I jump rope constantly, daily and go faster and faster and work in doubles my attempts at dunking is a little less pathetic. I still can’t dunk, but instead of people laughing they just say I can’t dunk. If I kept working at it, eventually I’d dunk and make them eat their words. Even I, a small under 6 foot guy, can eventually dunk. Writing is the same. Gotta grind it out. It’s gonna start rough, and then become awful and then real bad and then somewhat terrible and then okay, then average and then it’ll start being good until it’s great. The key is working through it. Keeping trying to dunk even if people watching say you can’t and suck and too small and will never make it. Keep jump roping, watching videos of people dunking and imagining how amazing it’ll feel to fly through the air and slam the ball through the hoop. In the end, fuck em and keep writing.
|
You can safely ignore people who just say that it's "awful". Find someone who tells you why it's awful, who points out specific flaws - terrible grammar, no pacing, stereotypical characters, flowery prose, boring sentence structure, whatever. You'll still have to deal with the fact that it's awful, but at least you'll have pointers how to get better.
| 0 | 323 | 31 | ||
kskfit
|
writing_train
| 0.97 |
How do you guys deal with negative feedback? When i was 14- I started writing and posting short stories. People told me they were terrible and it's "obvious"I don't have any talent. So, I quit. I tried screenwriting but I got the same response. A kid at school even threw my work in the garbage and said that's where it belongs. I completely quit writing at that point. Years later after high school, I finally manged to gain the courage to post a short story. I just got my first comment saying it's awful. I know people get negative feedback all the time, and for the most part I'm dealing with it better but if you had a novel/ short story you were writing and people told you that it's terrible/poorly written/ stupid idea, would you keep working on it or abandon it completely?
|
gigh50y
|
gighmx2
| 1,610,047,591 | 1,610,047,812 | 3 | 62 |
Keep working. Negative feedback is hard, but pull it apart and see if there is anything constructive in it. If there isn't, throw it away.
|
You can safely ignore people who just say that it's "awful". Find someone who tells you why it's awful, who points out specific flaws - terrible grammar, no pacing, stereotypical characters, flowery prose, boring sentence structure, whatever. You'll still have to deal with the fact that it's awful, but at least you'll have pointers how to get better.
| 0 | 221 | 20.666667 |
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