How often do you feel you hit one out of the park?

[Chimney Sweep]

How often do you write something that you feel is really top notch, the best you can do, and something of which you are terribly proud? Sentence or novel, the length doesn't necessarily matter, I'm just wondering how often other people feel they produce something truly exceptional.

For me, it is rare. The one poem I submitted has some of my favorite inspirations in it and that piece really flew out of my head with inspiration, but most of my work is WORK to one degree or another. I find that a small bit of inspired writing often brigns more frustration than anything else. If I start a story with a few really good paragraphs then I have to keep reaching that level of excellence or it falls apart. I've got 2 stories that are in limbo because they start very strong and I can't figure out how to keep them there.

So how often to do you feel that "Hell yeah! That's good stuff!" rush, and how to you make the most of it?

 

[Boxlicker101]

How often do you write something that you feel is really top notch, the best you can do, and something of which you are terribly proud? Sentence or novel, the length doesn't necessarily matter, I'm just wondering how often other people feel they produce something truly exceptional.

For me, it is rare. The one poem I submitted has some of my favorite inspirations in it and that piece really flew out of my head with inspiration, but most of my work is WORK to one degree or another. I find that a small bit of inspired writing often brigns more frustration than anything else. If I start a story with a few really good paragraphs then I have to keep reaching that level of excellence or it falls apart. I've got 2 stories that are in limbo because they start very strong and I can't figure out how to keep them there.

So how often to do you feel that "Hell yeah! That's good stuff!" rush, and how to you make the most of it?

I often have this feeling as I write, and again when I edit what I have written. It's really great, and keeeps me going. The problem is that the readers, especially trolls, so often disagree with me.

 

[Carnevil9]

I find that a couple of martinis puts me in a condition to really let the words flow. If I can find that groove, I'm generally pretty happy with the results, and can usually spin out several thousand words at a crack. By the third or fourth martini, however, I have to walk away from the keyboard or it starts to go to hell.

Of course, I have to go back and edit it pretty heavily when I'm sober again! But I'm generally pretty happy with the style, content, pacing, and mood.

Out of the park, however? I've never felt like that. Just a good solid single usually makes me happy......Carney

 

[Darkniciad]

Outlaw's Redemption ( Laresa Ch. 05 ) gave me that feeling, but I doubted it up and down and all around. It took several people telling me I was crazy and mounds of mail once it posted to actually convince me *laugh*

Steward of the Wood ( as LesLumens) also gave me that grand slam feeling the moment I penned the last word.

Much of Home by the Sea ( despite the technical problems ) the ending of Danica in Ch. 20 and Epilogue, quite a few touching scenes in the first few chapters of Sisters of the Mists, the first LST3K, the ending of Blackhawk Hall... There are probably other scenes here and here. Most of those feelings have been confirmed by feedback, so I guess it isn't just me *laugh*

All in all - not that often When you distill that down to over 70 stories/chapters ( many of them up to 7 Lit pages), there aren't that many long balls in there. There are a lot of extra base hits, but not so many that I felt cleared the wall when I wrote them.

 

[TE999]

I can honestly say that I have been satisfied with everything I have written. And in the main, my scores and feedback bear me out.

I enjoy writing and I am pleased when my readers tell me they like what I have done.

Not too many homer's--but plenty of triples and some doubles. I'm content.

 

[Boota]

A couple times a year, I guess. Those are the points where I recognize large leaps in my writing abilities. (But it's almost always in my non-erotic writing.) About ten times a year in music, though. I'll write a song and just get completely wrapped up in it. Then bring it to the band find out that at least one of them is "just not feeling it". LOL.