You're most welcome. I used to have that issue, now I am in an over three year long relationship. So I think it's safe to say I've gotten over it. Always remember to have faith in yourself. Keep working at it and you will get there.
Hmm, just wanted to share this motivational post that got me pumped up to do things I was more or less discouraged from doing. http://thinktraffic.net/motivation Not your typical friendly encouragement.
Personally, I don't believe in "writer's block" however, I do understand that writers get stuck. In my experience, when someone is "blocked" it's because they've written themselves into some kind of corner and don't know where to go next. So then there are two options (for me at least) 1. Go back. Read what was three paragraphs before, or even three chapters before, and find where it went wrong. Then figure out how to fix it. 2. If you know what comes AFTER the point you're stuck in, fill in with FILL IN NEEDED or something similar, and then continue on. It may be easier to find the bridge when it's the only thing missing. Just my opinion of course, and what works for me.
Overcoming Writer's Block: Regimented Daily Routine For most writers there comes a time when writing is more of a chore than an enjoyable way to past the time. Having written something that you are proud of is the real reward. For me, overcoming writer's block is all about having a regimented routine where everyday at a specific time, without fail, I write something for at least one hour. It can be anything: a journal entry, a letter, a blog post, a chapter of my novel or latest project or just a freewriting session based on a writing prompt I've found online. The key is just to write without stopping for one hour everyday. It's like a workout for your writing muscles, the more you do it, the easier it becomes. Pretty soon, it will be habitual and you will look forward to that sacred hour everyday! If you want some more helpful tips and tricks or to see how I get the job done, check out my blog at www.briannesavage.com. Good Luck and Happy Writing!
I can't imagine this wouldn't be something a frustrated writer could post on in here all day, every day. Writer's block. Writing exercises/prompts can't seem to dislodge me from the block I'm trapped in on my second chapter. I'm beginning to think the only cure for writer's block would require a complex system of pulleys and cables...and fireplace pokers...and tire chains...and msg. No way out. Somebody please fire upon me with bows and arrows. Just drop me with a deer rifle.
I have writers black bad I hate writers block. Sometimes I won't wrote for a month at a time (well, not my stories anyway, I'm always writing SOMETHING), then suddenly I'll just feel the inspiration to write again and I'll turn out a lot of material, then just stop again. I don't ever not write anything, I write reviews, guides for my stories, I'll make maps and histories for the fantasy worlds I create, but as for writing my novel or short stories that always seems to come and go.
What is a guide for a story? For a short time, I used the write like you -- only when I felt like it. But like math, music, sports, and nearly everything else, one needs to practice consistently to improve their writing. I've only recently stopped turning out a 1000wds/pd as several dreaded finals creep up on me. As for histories, I tend to create them without writing in detail about them. I like to let them mull over in my head and avoid setting anything in stone until its time to write (the story).
I thought I would share something that inspired me. Something Ira Glass said in an interview about doing creative work. I still struggle with this, but it helps to go back and watch it sometimes. http://vimeo.com/24715531
some days i think about the ideas for my book, and think stuff like "this is gonna be so good!" and i get really happy. but then other days my brain suddenly goes all negative on me and i think stuff like "this story is ridiculous. people will hate it" (this usually happens when i watch a film based off a good book, and then i think about how awesome the author must've been) thing is, i WOULD put my ideas forward, but im VERY worried about people not liking them and then they reply with loads of criticisms, which would make me sad. help meh
I write mostly for pleasure although recently I have been wanting to enter competitions and I just can't seem to shrug the feeling that I'm not good enough. I just hate what I have written after reading it and then I think: 'I'm not good enough to even enter my work.' Does this feeling ever get better? I don't want to feel so insecure with myself forever.
Well just remember that all their criticism is there for you! They want to help you become a better writer. They are going to be honest (which may hurt) but it's all to help you. Second... Some people probably will hate it, so prepare yourself. Everyone has different tastes, so if one person really doesn't like it, don't lose heart. The next person to come along may love it. Either way, you won't really know until you share.
I think this generally happens to a lot of people. I know that I write down hundreds of ideas and only 5 percent seem any good when I look back at them after a couple of weeks. I suppose sometimes you have to trust yourself and think about who you are writing for and whether they, as reader, would relate to your topic of choice.
Oh yes, I know that feel. Happens to me all the time. Just keep reminding yourself that you are writing for yourself first and foremost. Don't waste your time and energy worrying what other people might think of your work.
That's similar posts Misha and judging by your location it's obvious you are struggling with something. Like someone said on your other post, some will hate your stories and some will love them. The only way to find out is to grow a really thick akin and submit your work. Why don't you check out the forumrules and when you're ready stick something up here?
My other post? Sorry but this is the first thread I have started, so I'm not quite sure what you mean? As for my location it's just a joke.
It's funny you mention this Misha because I still struggle with this a lot. I shared a video in the writer's block thread just yesterday that you may enjoy... http://vimeo.com/24715531 I used to feel like the work I created was never up to snuff, and I still feel like that quite often. Which I tell myself is okay because that's what editing is for! The feeling does get better, but you may have to wrestle with it a bit. What really helped me was actually putting some of my work out there and getting some feedback. Some of it was good and made me feel great, but the best feedback was when they picked it apart. Other people notice things I don't, and it was a great help to my writing. The trick is to take the criticism in the best light, remember they are helping you, and use it to make yourself better. Put yourself out there! Best of luck! Cheers, Eric
Well, yes of course, I imagine most of us feel like that. Either occasionally or often. Here's the thing. No matter how good you are, or how popular an author you are (or will be) there will always be people who dislike your writing. So don't expect everybody to love it, even if it's flawless. They won't. I think when taking critiques on this forum, you must ask yourself if the criticisms makes sense to you. If you think - yep, they're right, I should do more—blank, whatever—then take the criticism on board. If you think the critics didn't 'get' your writing, stop and think—is this my fault? Have I written this badly? If so, take the time to absorb their reasons. If they haven't bothered to give any reasons, however, they are not good at giving critiques, so dump them! Immediately. Don't take what they've said to heart at all. There will be people who hate the genre you write in. People who prefer longer or shorter pieces than what you've written. People who scratch you off their 'like' list if you dare to use an adverb, or highlight a word in italics. These folks are not your target audience. They will always be there. So will you. As long as you're not making actual 'mistakes,' but are simply writing something they don't like, you can choose to ignore them. Or take their preferences on board. You're just here to get advice. You can pick and choose what advice you take. To sum it up: post your stuff, and then consider the source, when the comments pour in. Some will be incredibly helpful to you. Others will not. Keep in mind, MOST of us on this forum are just like you. Unpublished authors. Even the published ones should be taken with a grain of salt, unless they've published in the same field as your own. Somebody who has just published their PhD thesis on the sex life of the inchworm, may not be the best person to diss or praise your poetry!
I think criticism should be embraced, that doesn't mean you have to like it but if it helps you look at your work in a different light then it should help you grow as a writer. I'm sure every one feels the way you do from time to time but nobody is perfect, even Hemmingway said 'the first draft of anything is sh**'.
You need to ignore all that and just write with reckless abandon. You will get criticism, everyone does--that's just a fact of life. But that's a good thing--it helps you improve. Stay strong. You can do it.
If you only put your ideas forward, it's unlikely that you'll get much constructive criticism from this forum. Most people will tell you that an idea is only as good as how well you realize it through your writing. I suggest doing as Jhunter said and 'write with reckless abandon'. When you've finished your book or at least a chapter or two, edit what you have written until you feel that you absolutely cannot improve it. Then submit it to the forum, knowing you've done your best. As has been mentioned above, you will get comments from all points of view. Take heed of the ones that apply and ignore the rest. After all, you are the author of your story and ultimately know what's best.
It might encourage you, RainbowWarrior, to go to Amazon and look up some literary classics, just to read the reviews. Even books that have stood the test of time and are acknowledged as masterpieces get their share of scathing reviews. There are many people out there who just can't stand The Great Gatsby or The Old Man and the Sea or Lolita or the works of Thomas Pynchon or Margaret Atwood or Saul Bellow. There are people who just piss all over the works of Nobel Prize winners, Man Booker Prize winners, Pulitzer Prize winners, and so on. The point is, no matter how great your work is, there will always be people who hate it, who think it's trash and crap and rubbish that should never have been published. So if someone tells you your work sucks, well, that puts you in the same category as Hemingway and Joyce and even Shakespeare. (Yes, a lot of people think Shakespeare's work is trash.) Soldier on. Jhunter said it extemely well: "Just write with reckless abandon." That's good advice for all of us.
