Everything I write is shit!

[MagicaPractica]

"Bad ideas are like playground bullies, given the right encouragement they grow up to do great things." or something like that.

 

[slyc_willie]

There isn't a writer in the world who hasn't doubted themself now and then. My last story, which posted about two weeks ago, I felt wasn't as good as some of my other stories. I had even considered asking for it to be sent back to my queue so I could substitute an edited version. But it's got a decent number of votes and a good score.

So, I guess one man's shit is another person's sugar . . .

 

[Darkniciad]

I could have written this thread for the last several months

My advice - put down your pen for a while. If you gag every time you read back something you've written, and you keep forcing it, you're just going to make it worse.

The withdrawals are horrible at first. Try to fight through it to let your readers know what's going on. I didn't do that, and more than a few of them freaked out from the silence.

Then, wait until you have one of those flashes of inspiration before you put your digital pen to cyber paper again. Anyone who writes has them - those perfect little ideas that absolutely won't leave you alone. The whole story springs up fully formed, just waiting for your fingers to set it free.

If you've strayed from your comfort zone, or made commitments that are putting you under pressure ( a long chaptered series for example ), jump back into your greatest comfort zone. For me, that involved a completely silly story. I'm so recently recovered from my bout that my silly revival hasn't even made it through the queue to post yet.

Step back and let this demon die of starvation. You're only feeding it by constantly tilting at the windmill of your lackluster muse. Read a bit. Watch some t.v. If the two Japanese guys wander over to your house in their funny little car, play a little Mario Golf on the Wii.

Give it some time. Your muse probably got the same vacation deal of a lifetime mine did, and she's still sunning her buns on some tropical paradise right now.

She'll feel guilty about shirking her work soon enough - even if it's not soon enough for your tastes

 

[rgraham666]

When I start worrying about the quality of my work I remember Bloch's Dictum and Ellison's Response.

Bloch's Dictum: 90% of everything is crap.

Ellison's Response: At least I don't set out to create crap.

I find it helps.

 

[slyc_willie]

Bloch's Dictum: 90% of everything is crap.

And don't forget: 30% of all statistics are wrong.

 

[tickledkitty]

Don't shake any hands, Jo. You might lose a finger.

You got a snort and a snot bubble on that one, bluey.

 

[cantdog]

And don't forget: 30% of all statistics are wrong.

72% of all statistics are made up, on the spot.

 

[cantdog]

When I start worrying about the quality of my work I remember Bloch's Dictum and Ellison's Response.

Bloch's Dictum: 90% of everything is crap.

Ellison's Response: At least I don't set out to create crap.

I find it helps.

That was Sturgeon, not Bloch.

90% of science fiction-- 90% of everything-- is crap, said Ted.

It is now usually referred to as Sturgeon's Law, not Bloch's Dictum. But Bloch was a hack, that's for sure. Ellison is frequently correct, although he makes no friends doing it. Have you read The Other Glass Teat?

 

[rgraham666]

That was Sturgeon, not Bloch.

90% of science fiction-- 90% of everything-- is crap, said Ted.

It is now usually referred to as Sturgeon's Law, not Bloch's Dictum. But Bloch was a hack, that's for sure. Ellison is frequently correct, although he makes no friends doing it. Have you read The Other Glass Teat?

Oop. You're right. But I'm kinda brain dead due to lack of sleep.

I've got a pile of Ellison's stuff including both Glass Teats. I think he's a great writer.

But a first class pain in the ass as a person.

 

[bluebell]

Careful, boy. Your face'll get stuck that way.

You got a snort and a snot bubble on that one, bluey.

Dude. Snot bubble an' all?
WICKED.

 

[jomar]

Careful, boy. Your face'll get stuck that way.


Dude. Snot bubble an' all?
WICKED.

My nose fell off!

 

[bluebell]

My nose fell off!

So did my ass. From laughing.

 

[ForgeAus]

I feel ya here, I find it really hard to write anything useful too, It all sounds great in my head but by the time I sit down to even type it out it comes out as something completely different and never even gets close to living up to my imagination...

 

[ForgeAus]

Oh and about the statistics just because 60% of statistics were made up (did you notice the irony there?)... doesn't mean all of the other 40% are wrong...

Oh and apologies in advance if I screwed with your head too much with that one...

But if you liked it theres another one saying that theres really 10 types of people in the world, those that can count in binary, and those that cant!

 

[TE999]

In a vain attempt to get this thread back on track...

We all have doubts from time to time about our skills as writers--I know I sure do!

But once a story is out there on it's lonesome and folks like it and tell you so--what a rush!

You should write at least two hours every day--even if you think it's crap.

Practice --as they say-- makes perfect--or at least acceptable.

 

[slyc_willie]

In a vain attempt to get this thread back on track...

We all have doubts from time to time about our skills as writers--I know I sure do!

But once a story is out there on it's lonesome and folks like it and tell you so--what a rush!

You should write at least two hours every day--even if you think it's crap.

Practice --as they say-- makes perfect--or at least acceptable.

I would say that practice is just that; practice. It's those rare moments of brilliance in prose that we hope for, and why we keep at it.

 

[TE999]

I would say that practice is just that; practice. It's those rare moments of brilliance in prose that we hope for, and why we keep at it.

Amen bro.

But your moments happen more often than mine.

 

[slyc_willie]

Amen bro.

But your moments happen more often than mine.

Eh. Maybe I've been storing them up

 

[TE999]

Eh. Maybe I've been storing them up

Hehehe--or in my case hope springs eternal.

Which is what this thread is all about I guess.

The endless pursuit of the elusive muse--and the bounty she brings with her.

 

[slyc_willie]

Hehehe--or in my case hope springs eternal.

Which is what this thread is all about I guess.

The endless pursuit of the elusive muse--and the bounty she brings with her.

Or . . . recognizing that the muse never left; ya just gotta know how to turn her on.

Something I've been thinking about lately . . . .

 

[TE999]

Or . . . recognizing that the muse never left; ya just gotta know how to turn her on.

Something I've been thinking about lately . . . .

The muse --or gettin' turned on--or turning on the muse?

Chocolate works on mine real well.

One Nestle's Crunch and she's putty in my hands.

 

[starrkers]

Mine seems to require red wine.

At least that did it for my poetry the other night, judging by the feedback I got today (swelled head, here I come! )

 

[TE999]

Mine seems to require red wine.

At least that did it for my poetry the other night, judging by the feedback I got today (swelled head, here I come! )

Enjoy darlin', enjoy!

Talent talks and bullshit walks.

 

[slyc_willie]

*cue beatnik bongo music*

See, for me, man . . . it's all about lettin' yourself go.

Gotta see the forest for the trees, man, and know when to pick the best leaves.

The muse ain't there ta help ya . . . she's there ta complicate ya . . . give ya obstacles and walls.

Just gotta climb, baby . . . just gotta climb . . . .

*Snap! Snap! Snap!*

(Lol . . . it's late, I know)

 

[starrkers]

What have you been smokin', Slyc?