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 Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2013 10:48 am
I've been developing and working on my book for about two years now. Before it didn't quite seem real because I was just creating a huge amount of the world and other things (still doing that actually) but now it has finally hit home that this is something that is coming together or starting to. I have finally started writing my chapters, finished the first draft of chapter one (I posted it Here on this guild if you are interested in reading it! I would love some feedback!) and I'm working on chapter two. However, now that this seems more real, like it's not some day dream that I have floating around in my head that will one day slip away through my fingers for something else, I have been getting doubts. Now, I know that everyone has doubts and aspiring authors are no different. But the doubt that I'm experiencing is so heavy, it's almost debilitating. It makes me not want to write because that traitorous whisper in my head tells me that no matter how hard I try, no one will want to hear what I have to say. And no one will want to go on the journey that I want to take them on. It makes me want to quit, even though I likely never will for I have dreamt too big and too hard to just throw it all away. But still. I am trying to stand out in a crowd of people already trying to stand out. And while I feel like my story is ok and worth reading, it doesn't mean a thing if others don't feel the same. I write mostly for others, very little for myself. I guess you could say, I want popularity with the tale I have to tell. Not for the fame or to stroke my ego, but so I know that I was able to share this journey with so many people. I want to take them by the hand and make them forget all things that might be knocking on their door. Because my motivation is so heavily instilled in the pleasing of others, I think this is one of the reasons why my doubts are so heavy. But even more than that, I need support. Of course, everyone does. But while I have support from my friends, which I appreciate greatly, it's still hard to take their confidence to heart for it feels like they are SUPPOSED to say these things because they are my friends. What I wanted, was support from my parents. The most influential people of my life, and also cynics like me. It's one thing to earn the support from the dreamers (my friends) but entirely different in meaning when you have the support of the cynics. I genuinely feel that if the ENTIRE world told me no, that I couldn't do it, I would have been ok, as long as my parents were behind me to tell me that I could. But they are not. My step-dad you can see the pain on his face when I talk about being published as he bites his tongue to keep from saying something. And my mom, while she humors me, treats it like I'm that five year old who says they are going to be an astronaut. They both treat it like some passing fancy that I will abandon when the next fit of passion takes me. And even more so, they act like I'm giving up everything, even when I am still pursuing my degree in Respiratory Therapy. *Sigh* Anyways, I've rambled for far too long. My point is: Do any of you have doubts? And how do you handle them?
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Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2013 11:17 am
I agree with you on a lot including the whole trying to stand out part. Even though within my friends and a majority of my classmates my interests and skills are unique, but out in the open there are so many with the same dreams, but who have even more experience and even better skills, so it's hard.
I have had a lot of doubts on my writing since even though a lot of my friends would say "Wow you're a good writer." or "That was a really good story!" there is another girl who I am friends with who's stories are breath taking. She's the same age as me but she's on an entirely different level than I myself am on. (She also is an amazing artist as well which doesn't make me feel any better).
Ways I have gotten out of slumps is seeing the improvement of other writers. What I mean is, seeing how their art/writing was like mine, but they improved greatly. It makes me feel like if I work hard enough I can improve as well. I'm not too sure if there are writing ones, but on deviant art there are improvement memes and I can see how an artist went from doodles to incredible masterpieces. Another way to help is read some of your old stories. I have read some of my stories from awhile back, and it's nice to know that I have improved a lot over time(although I'm nowhere where I'd like to be).
Writing sites where you can find helpful feedback and get motivation may also be of interest to you. If you want I could link you to some.
I hope you get out of this slump and good luck on the story (I think I might go and read it xD).
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Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2013 11:29 am
I would rather write and fail than fail because I never wrote.
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Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2013 12:21 pm
Angelic Arisa I agree with you on a lot including the whole trying to stand out part. Even though within my friends and a majority of my classmates my interests and skills are unique, but out in the open there are so many with the same dreams, but who have even more experience and even better skills, so it's hard. I have had a lot of doubts on my writing since even though a lot of my friends would say "Wow you're a good writer." or "That was a really good story!" there is another girl who I am friends with who's stories are breath taking. She's the same age as me but she's on an entirely different level than I myself am on. (She also is an amazing artist as well which doesn't make me feel any better). Ways I have gotten out of slumps is seeing the improvement of other writers. What I mean is, seeing how their art/writing was like mine, but they improved greatly. It makes me feel like if I work hard enough I can improve as well. I'm not too sure if there are writing ones, but on deviant art there are improvement memes and I can see how an artist went from doodles to incredible masterpieces. Another way to help is read some of your old stories. I have read some of my stories from awhile back, and it's nice to know that I have improved a lot over time(although I'm nowhere where I'd like to be). Writing sites where you can find helpful feedback and get motivation may also be of interest to you. If you want I could link you to some. I hope you get out of this slump and good luck on the story (I think I might go and read it xD). Yeah, I know how that is. There's one guy I'm friends with on this site and we got to talking and I'm immensely jealous of his skills. He has a knack for detail and riveting imagery and when I first started reading his stuff (he would ask me for help on medical things) he had only been writing for six months! I was floored. I've been writing for eight years! And I feel that his stuff far outstrips mine! I know I have improved tremendously. I'll find some old roleplays and the like on here and I cringe. I've really grown into my writing style and I'm sure I'll continue to improve. But I would like some of those sites to check out. :3
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Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2013 12:22 pm
Snowblazer I would rather write and fail than fail because I never wrote. Agreed. I don't think I'll ever give it up, regardless of how hard my doubts beat me down. I've wanted this too much and dreamt to big to just let it go. Maybe one day, my determination will pay off. Thanks for your input. :3
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Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2013 12:45 pm
Night Kunoichi Angelic Arisa I agree with you on a lot including the whole trying to stand out part. Even though within my friends and a majority of my classmates my interests and skills are unique, but out in the open there are so many with the same dreams, but who have even more experience and even better skills, so it's hard. I have had a lot of doubts on my writing since even though a lot of my friends would say "Wow you're a good writer." or "That was a really good story!" there is another girl who I am friends with who's stories are breath taking. She's the same age as me but she's on an entirely different level than I myself am on. (She also is an amazing artist as well which doesn't make me feel any better). Ways I have gotten out of slumps is seeing the improvement of other writers. What I mean is, seeing how their art/writing was like mine, but they improved greatly. It makes me feel like if I work hard enough I can improve as well. I'm not too sure if there are writing ones, but on deviant art there are improvement memes and I can see how an artist went from doodles to incredible masterpieces. Another way to help is read some of your old stories. I have read some of my stories from awhile back, and it's nice to know that I have improved a lot over time(although I'm nowhere where I'd like to be). Writing sites where you can find helpful feedback and get motivation may also be of interest to you. If you want I could link you to some. I hope you get out of this slump and good luck on the story (I think I might go and read it xD). Yeah, I know how that is. There's one guy I'm friends with on this site and we got to talking and I'm immensely jealous of his skills. He has a knack for detail and riveting imagery and when I first started reading his stuff (he would ask me for help on medical things) he had only been writing for six months! I was floored. I've been writing for eight years! And I feel that his stuff far outstrips mine! I know I have improved tremendously. I'll find some old role plays and the like on here and I cringe. I've really grown into my writing style and I'm sure I'll continue to improve. But I would like some of those sites to check out. :3 Well I have only discovered these sites recently, but a lot of people say that they help out so you should give them a try. http://figment.com/ http://www.youngwriterssociety.com/ http://runaway-tales.livejournal.com/ http://www.scribophile.com/ Other Gains posted some links in these threads as well:: http://www.gaiaonline.com/forum/writers/i-feel-like-a-jerk-for-making-this-topic/t.86998065/ http://www.gaiaonline.com/forum/writers/what-s-your-favorite-writing-site/t.86477401/ Also during the month of Nov (and some summer moths) there is a thing called NaNoWriMo where you have to write a certain amount of words in a month and it's done within a community of many other writers, so you could also participate it that. http://nanowrimo.org/
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Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2013 12:54 pm
Angelic Arisa Night Kunoichi Angelic Arisa I agree with you on a lot including the whole trying to stand out part. Even though within my friends and a majority of my classmates my interests and skills are unique, but out in the open there are so many with the same dreams, but who have even more experience and even better skills, so it's hard. I have had a lot of doubts on my writing since even though a lot of my friends would say "Wow you're a good writer." or "That was a really good story!" there is another girl who I am friends with who's stories are breath taking. She's the same age as me but she's on an entirely different level than I myself am on. (She also is an amazing artist as well which doesn't make me feel any better). Ways I have gotten out of slumps is seeing the improvement of other writers. What I mean is, seeing how their art/writing was like mine, but they improved greatly. It makes me feel like if I work hard enough I can improve as well. I'm not too sure if there are writing ones, but on deviant art there are improvement memes and I can see how an artist went from doodles to incredible masterpieces. Another way to help is read some of your old stories. I have read some of my stories from awhile back, and it's nice to know that I have improved a lot over time(although I'm nowhere where I'd like to be). Writing sites where you can find helpful feedback and get motivation may also be of interest to you. If you want I could link you to some. I hope you get out of this slump and good luck on the story (I think I might go and read it xD). Yeah, I know how that is. There's one guy I'm friends with on this site and we got to talking and I'm immensely jealous of his skills. He has a knack for detail and riveting imagery and when I first started reading his stuff (he would ask me for help on medical things) he had only been writing for six months! I was floored. I've been writing for eight years! And I feel that his stuff far outstrips mine! I know I have improved tremendously. I'll find some old role plays and the like on here and I cringe. I've really grown into my writing style and I'm sure I'll continue to improve. But I would like some of those sites to check out. :3 Well I have only discovered these sites recently, but a lot of people say that they help out so you should give them a try. http://figment.com/ http://www.youngwriterssociety.com/ http://runaway-tales.livejournal.com/ http://www.scribophile.com/ Other Gains posted some links in these threads as well:: http://www.gaiaonline.com/forum/writers/i-feel-like-a-jerk-for-making-this-topic/t.86998065/ http://www.gaiaonline.com/forum/writers/what-s-your-favorite-writing-site/t.86477401/ Also during the month of Nov (and some summer moths) there is a thing called NaNoWriMo where you have to write a certain amount of words in a month and it's done within a community of many other writers, so you could also participate it that. http://nanowrimo.org/ I will check those out! Thanks! :3 I did however previously know about NaNoWriMo but have never really participated. Do you have to write something entirely original or can you just use it as a goal to advance something you are already working on?
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Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2013 12:58 pm
Night Kunoichi Angelic Arisa Night Kunoichi Angelic Arisa I agree with you on a lot including the whole trying to stand out part. Even though within my friends and a majority of my classmates my interests and skills are unique, but out in the open there are so many with the same dreams, but who have even more experience and even better skills, so it's hard. I have had a lot of doubts on my writing since even though a lot of my friends would say "Wow you're a good writer." or "That was a really good story!" there is another girl who I am friends with who's stories are breath taking. She's the same age as me but she's on an entirely different level than I myself am on. (She also is an amazing artist as well which doesn't make me feel any better). Ways I have gotten out of slumps is seeing the improvement of other writers. What I mean is, seeing how their art/writing was like mine, but they improved greatly. It makes me feel like if I work hard enough I can improve as well. I'm not too sure if there are writing ones, but on deviant art there are improvement memes and I can see how an artist went from doodles to incredible masterpieces. Another way to help is read some of your old stories. I have read some of my stories from awhile back, and it's nice to know that I have improved a lot over time(although I'm nowhere where I'd like to be). Writing sites where you can find helpful feedback and get motivation may also be of interest to you. If you want I could link you to some. I hope you get out of this slump and good luck on the story (I think I might go and read it xD). Yeah, I know how that is. There's one guy I'm friends with on this site and we got to talking and I'm immensely jealous of his skills. He has a knack for detail and riveting imagery and when I first started reading his stuff (he would ask me for help on medical things) he had only been writing for six months! I was floored. I've been writing for eight years! And I feel that his stuff far outstrips mine! I know I have improved tremendously. I'll find some old role plays and the like on here and I cringe. I've really grown into my writing style and I'm sure I'll continue to improve. But I would like some of those sites to check out. :3 Well I have only discovered these sites recently, but a lot of people say that they help out so you should give them a try. http://figment.com/ http://www.youngwriterssociety.com/ http://runaway-tales.livejournal.com/ http://www.scribophile.com/ Other Gains posted some links in these threads as well:: http://www.gaiaonline.com/forum/writers/i-feel-like-a-jerk-for-making-this-topic/t.86998065/ http://www.gaiaonline.com/forum/writers/what-s-your-favorite-writing-site/t.86477401/ Also during the month of Nov (and some summer moths) there is a thing called NaNoWriMo where you have to write a certain amount of words in a month and it's done within a community of many other writers, so you could also participate it that. http://nanowrimo.org/ I will check those out! Thanks! :3 I did however previously know about NaNoWriMo but have never really participated. Do you have to write something entirely original or can you just use it as a goal to advance something you are already working on? You can do either! ;D
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Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2013 1:05 pm
Angelic Arisa Night Kunoichi Angelic Arisa Night Kunoichi Angelic Arisa I agree with you on a lot including the whole trying to stand out part. Even though within my friends and a majority of my classmates my interests and skills are unique, but out in the open there are so many with the same dreams, but who have even more experience and even better skills, so it's hard. I have had a lot of doubts on my writing since even though a lot of my friends would say "Wow you're a good writer." or "That was a really good story!" there is another girl who I am friends with who's stories are breath taking. She's the same age as me but she's on an entirely different level than I myself am on. (She also is an amazing artist as well which doesn't make me feel any better). Ways I have gotten out of slumps is seeing the improvement of other writers. What I mean is, seeing how their art/writing was like mine, but they improved greatly. It makes me feel like if I work hard enough I can improve as well. I'm not too sure if there are writing ones, but on deviant art there are improvement memes and I can see how an artist went from doodles to incredible masterpieces. Another way to help is read some of your old stories. I have read some of my stories from awhile back, and it's nice to know that I have improved a lot over time(although I'm nowhere where I'd like to be). Writing sites where you can find helpful feedback and get motivation may also be of interest to you. If you want I could link you to some. I hope you get out of this slump and good luck on the story (I think I might go and read it xD). Yeah, I know how that is. There's one guy I'm friends with on this site and we got to talking and I'm immensely jealous of his skills. He has a knack for detail and riveting imagery and when I first started reading his stuff (he would ask me for help on medical things) he had only been writing for six months! I was floored. I've been writing for eight years! And I feel that his stuff far outstrips mine! I know I have improved tremendously. I'll find some old role plays and the like on here and I cringe. I've really grown into my writing style and I'm sure I'll continue to improve. But I would like some of those sites to check out. :3 Well I have only discovered these sites recently, but a lot of people say that they help out so you should give them a try. http://figment.com/ http://www.youngwriterssociety.com/ http://runaway-tales.livejournal.com/ http://www.scribophile.com/ Other Gains posted some links in these threads as well:: http://www.gaiaonline.com/forum/writers/i-feel-like-a-jerk-for-making-this-topic/t.86998065/ http://www.gaiaonline.com/forum/writers/what-s-your-favorite-writing-site/t.86477401/ Also during the month of Nov (and some summer moths) there is a thing called NaNoWriMo where you have to write a certain amount of words in a month and it's done within a community of many other writers, so you could also participate it that. http://nanowrimo.org/ I will check those out! Thanks! :3 I did however previously know about NaNoWriMo but have never really participated. Do you have to write something entirely original or can you just use it as a goal to advance something you are already working on? You can do either! ;D Haha ok. I'll probably try it this year then. I was under the impression that you had to actually make a new story and such so I never participated because I've been trying to work on my book. :3 This year, I'll go for it. biggrin
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