(no subject)

[aj-socks.livejournal.com]

While this is not Harry/Draco specific, I thought I would share because it's helped me in the past, although I wonder why. lol I know that a lot of people are self conscious of their work and wonder if it's good enough. I personally struggle with self-confidence when it comes to writing so badly that it actually hinders the process. Self-confidence is fragile, the smallest touch can shatter it, and anyone that struggles past it to finish their story, novel, novella, or even a drabble, I envy you right now. 

However, a while back when I was browsing the internet, I came across this web page about finishing "your" novel. I know that many of you are trying to get through the hd_bigbang (sadly, I may have to drop out T.T) and whenever I get extremely discouraged, I go back and read it. I don't know why, but it reminds me that other people are struggling like I am and it reminds me that I can do it too.

Timothy Hallinan - Finish Your Novel

Comments

[astridfire.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for posting this link!

It's so inspiring! I was just thinking today how I haven't finished a single writing project in years, though I've started a ton of them. I think that essay/site will be really helpful for me. Thank you! :D

[aj-socks.livejournal.com]

Lol I'm glad it's helped someone else! <3

[misbehavingmom.livejournal.com]

This is awesome! Thank you so much for sharing...I always struggle with self-confidence, in all aspects of my life! ♥

[aj-socks.livejournal.com]

lol <3 I hope this helps =D

[kitty_fic]

Great link! Thanks! <3

[aj-socks.livejournal.com]

=D

[celestlyn.livejournal.com]

Writing, art and most any creative endeavor is highly personal to a writer and it doesn't take much to get a little discouraged. I've heard it said that a hundred people can love what you do, but it's the one person in the bunch who doesn't love it that will carry the most weight in your mind.

Good link.

[aj-socks.livejournal.com]

Seriously. That really is true. Even small life things can stifle writing, let alone negative feedback. lol! Hopefully you can always find something good to come of it though.

[curiouslyfic.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much for this link. I've got a YouTube video called Beating the Little Hater (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TpmJgSfZ_8&feature=channel) bookmarked because yeah, sometimes the self-doubt gets pretty crippling over here, but this looks like a pretty freaking interesting read and hopefully, an inspiring one as well.

[aj-socks.livejournal.com]

LOL Oh my god that video... LOL

[zeitgeistic.livejournal.com]

Awesome, thank you!

[aj-socks.livejournal.com]

=D

[khalulu]

Thanks for posting it - there's a lor of good advice. Though I don't necessarily agree with all the style advice (I personally like reading, as well as using, a variety of words other than "said" - muttered, grumbled, confided, begged, murmured - why not use the richness of the language?), I do think he's got valuable recommendations for keeping going.

As for your feelings about self-confidence - does it help to think first that you're writing for yourself, so write what you enjoy? And you learn something while you do it? And then if you put it out there, people can choose to read it - you aren't forcing anyone - if they don't like it they can stop, you haven't hurt anyone, meanwhile some else may really appreciate it.

Anyhow, thanks and good luck!

[aj-socks.livejournal.com]

Lol He didn't mean to use only said. Honestly, it all comes down to flow. Using a different dialogue tag often jerks the reader out, and is normally unnecessary. Save the richness of the language for descriptions and other things, because more often than not, your dialogue is strong enough to show those things. For instance:

"Please don't go," he begged.

Why say he begged? We already know he is. In the same way, the best way is to not show he grumbled or murmured by telling me that he did that. Instead, use that richness to show it using descriptions. Dialogue tags are primarily used to indicate who is speaking, not how.

However, to each their own, yes?

Oo self-confidence! I would never write something I wouldn't enjoy, so that's not really the problem. It's... fear, I suppose. I spent most of my life avoiding being good because that would mean someone expected something from me, and I didn't want to disappoint them. Writing is different. I am writing for myself, and I have unreasonable expectations. Do you ever feel that way?

[khalulu]

yeah, I used to have horrible writer's block over school papers - I wanted the words to be perfect before I set them down. But with writing for pleasure, I can enjoy getting lost in finding the right way to say something. The problem is in not getting started, because my life got to busy to hear the inner voice that had something to say (when I wrote poetry). Writing fanfiction from a prompt is fun so far, but if I had to come up with my own world and characters - I don't feel I have enough to start with yet.