my mom sang me a silly song today
Feb. 27th, 2007 04:12 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
etoilineHappy half-birthday to me. ;)
I think I'm a good writer. People have told me so. I've heard that I do remarkable first drafts. But so far, that's all I've got. First drafts. I want to much to finish something that is good (and marketable, sue me) but I have such a hard time doing it. I get super-motivated after reading a good book, but then I find something else to distract me before I can get something down. I have all these ideas, but I doubt that any of them are truly original. There is such a thing as a "Mary Sue" character (in fanfiction, this refers to inserting yourself as your main character, i.e. he/she has all your good characteristics and none of your bad, with bonuses to boot) and I worry that I project too many of my desires onto my character. I become insecure about my writing easily, which is silly. I want people to read what I write, but I cringe to hear what they have to say. Which is also silly, because most of the time what people say is that it's good, just change a few things here or there...and of course, things come out better after a draft or two.
What if I don't actually have an original idea? Looking back at what I've written in my life, there's a strong common thread among all my characters. I write what I want to read, but apparently it's not very unique.
So it's all in the writing. I just have to make the character believable, with something new and different. I love it when authors throw me for a loop (as long as it's not deus ex machina), and sometimes I despair of ever being able to do that myself. Is it just because I'm not smart enough to figure something like that out?
I've got a battle scene (several scenes. A chapter or two, at least.) to write in my current novel, and it's a little scary. I would make a horrible general. Even though I've got any resources I need (what? you need more infantry? here! let's write another unit coming through) I can't seem to stop stalling. I know once I get it down it will be good. I hope things will tie up (not too neatly, or there won't be a second book ;)) because right now I'm not sure how it will.
I need a vacation where all I do is sit down at the computer and write, without worrying about work or class or sleep. Do I think that's going to happen? Not so much.
If you want to read something that the dragons took over, let me know.
I think I'm a good writer. People have told me so. I've heard that I do remarkable first drafts. But so far, that's all I've got. First drafts. I want to much to finish something that is good (and marketable, sue me) but I have such a hard time doing it. I get super-motivated after reading a good book, but then I find something else to distract me before I can get something down. I have all these ideas, but I doubt that any of them are truly original. There is such a thing as a "Mary Sue" character (in fanfiction, this refers to inserting yourself as your main character, i.e. he/she has all your good characteristics and none of your bad, with bonuses to boot) and I worry that I project too many of my desires onto my character. I become insecure about my writing easily, which is silly. I want people to read what I write, but I cringe to hear what they have to say. Which is also silly, because most of the time what people say is that it's good, just change a few things here or there...and of course, things come out better after a draft or two.
What if I don't actually have an original idea? Looking back at what I've written in my life, there's a strong common thread among all my characters. I write what I want to read, but apparently it's not very unique.
So it's all in the writing. I just have to make the character believable, with something new and different. I love it when authors throw me for a loop (as long as it's not deus ex machina), and sometimes I despair of ever being able to do that myself. Is it just because I'm not smart enough to figure something like that out?
I've got a battle scene (several scenes. A chapter or two, at least.) to write in my current novel, and it's a little scary. I would make a horrible general. Even though I've got any resources I need (what? you need more infantry? here! let's write another unit coming through) I can't seem to stop stalling. I know once I get it down it will be good. I hope things will tie up (not too neatly, or there won't be a second book ;)) because right now I'm not sure how it will.
I need a vacation where all I do is sit down at the computer and write, without worrying about work or class or sleep. Do I think that's going to happen? Not so much.
If you want to read something that the dragons took over, let me know.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 2007-02-27 11:12 pm (UTC)I'm the same way.
I write what I want to read... but also I write things I've never read before. And I'm definatly the lead in all my stories... although sometimes I change some charcteristics around...
But I never really get past the first draft... heck i hardly get past the first couple of pages. I've got several stories that are just beginnings, or even middles, but no endings... And nothing lasts more than a few pages... I'm great at the short story, not so good with the novel, even though i currently have about three good novel ideas... just cant find the right words... I ought to just make myself sit down and write them
(no subject)
Date: 2007-02-28 08:25 pm (UTC)It's good that you know all these things about your writing. I, for one, am completely blind to all my faults.
(no subject)
Date: 2007-03-01 04:57 pm (UTC)