One thing to never do while trying to write two different stories at the same time

[sheablue]

Read most of a book of Neil Gaiman short stories.

Seriously, if you fancy yourself as having any talent at all, do not do this to yourself when you're trying to write a FAWC 5 story and a Nude Day story.

Just don't. Don't do it.

How does he make the brilliance seem so easy, and be so charmingly self-deprecating about it all?

Though I did come away with a group sex story idea based on one of his stories. Neil wouldn't mind ... would he?

Who do YOU read that makes you want to give up all writing endeavors and go live under a bridge? (See, now Neil could write a story about that and it would be scintillating.)

 

[slyc_willie]

Who do YOU read that makes you want to give up all writing endeavors and go live under a bridge? (See, now Neil could write a story about that and it would be scintillating.)

No one.

Neil Gaiman, Stephen King, Raymond Chandler, Maya Angelou . . . I've honestly never felt intimidated by anyone else's writing style. Inspired, yes. At times I may imitate them, in a fashion. But I have my own style, and I'm not about to change it . . . or back down in the face of what's currently popular.

 

[sr71plt]

I suppose one of these days I should read something by him. He certainly has a lot of fans here.

 

[NaokoSmith]

Ah, that's what you've been up to!

Put the book down! Slo-o-owly. Move away. Go to your table. Pick up your laptop. Write, write, write!

And send it to your editor.

 

[sheablue]

No one.

Neil Gaiman, Stephen King, Raymond Chandler, Maya Angelou . . . I've honestly never felt intimidated by anyone else's writing style. Inspired, yes. At times I may imitate them, in a fashion. But I have my own style, and I'm not about to change it . . . or back down in the face of what's currently popular.

I'm not intimidated by my favorite authors, and I'm definitely always inspired. But on a day when I'm struggling to write anything, and I read his stories that seem so effortlessly brilliant, I want to be him. Or I just want to stand very very close to him.

(It doesn't help when he writes little blurbs about how or when he wrote each story, and he's all, "I wrote this one on an airplane!"

I've seen him speak a couple of times, and got some books signed by him once. I was with a friend who was struggling to say something, anything! to him, and I was wracking my brain trying to figure out what memorable thing I could say when it was my turn. I couldn't think of anything, so I "accidentally" dumped my armload of books in his lap. Oops! We all had a laugh and I like to think I made a memorable impression.

Of course we should not let ourselves be intimidated by our favorite authors, or feel we need to change our styles. I have a style, and I couldn't change it, even if I wanted to!

Ah, that's what you've been up to!

Put the book down! Slo-o-owly. Move away. Go to your table. Pick up your laptop. Write, write, write!

And send it to your editor.

Ugh, I've been so sick all day, I needed a large infusion of Neil to get me through the day. Ooh, that sounds naughtier than I meant it to.

 

[slyc_willie]

I'm not intimidated by my favorite authors, and I'm definitely always inspired. But on a day when I'm struggling to write anything, and I read his stories that seem so effortlessly brilliant, I want to be him. Or I just want to stand very very close to him.

Hero worship can be a dangerous thing. I remind myself that everyone in the world is just as full of shit as I am. Sure, there are times that Gaiman wrote something you took as truly profound when he was just casually dallying on an airplane. But I'm willing to bet someone out there, somewhere, would have the same view of something you also just happened to casually pen down without thinking of it.

It's all about perception, and perception is often colored by admiration (or the reverse, disgust).

 

[HoneyFortune]

Just a thought, but are you intimidated by the actual act of writing two stories at once? Are you using the intimidation as a reason for procrastinating? Like others said here, get in front of your computer and write.

 

[SecondCircle]

I get that from time to time. Read something, watch something, or hear something that makes you think "great, I feel 1000 times less talented. I gots no chance at being that good." Usually for me, the advice I give to friends is "Never watch Zakk Wylde videos when trying to learn guitar." It's pretty humbling.

But what I've found is that it's temporary. Maybe lasts a day or week tops. Then what does it do? It doesn't make you lose your appetite. Makes you hungrier. It makes you want it even more. And what you may find, is if you get good enough, you won't just be "writing like Gaiman" you'll be doing it possibly better. Because you'll have your own style that makes others shake their head in awe. And Gaiman wouldn't be able to touch it, because he does it how Gaiman does it and can't replicate Shea.

So read more of it. Toss in more kindling and smell the burn.

 

[sr71plt]

Just a thought, but are you intimidated by the actual act of writing two stories at once? Are you using the intimidation as a reason for procrastinating? Like others said here, get in front of your computer and write.

I've occasionally worked on two works at the same time, but I find it difficult, so I avoid it. It's even worse to try to edit two works simultaneously.

 

[HoneyFortune]

I've occasionally worked on two works at the same time, but I find it difficult, so I avoid it. It's even worse to try to edit two works simultaneously.

Indeed. One at a time and slow and steady when editing. I find writing simultaneous stories much less a problem. I think a bigger problem, and one I am sensing in the original post, is the problem of serious procrastination. I have heard, while on deadline, every story about why someone couldn't write, including death, sex and rock and roll.

 

[SecondCircle]

Hmm. I don't think Shea is making excuses or procrastinating I think it's just a human thing.

 

[patientlee]

I don't think it's procrastination when it's something you do for the fun of it.

 

[JagFarlane]

I actually usually have multiple stories in various stages of completion. Sometimes even have them open at the same time. Helps when I'm stuck on one story to shift gears and work on another.

Didn't sound to me like shea was procrastinating in the least, more like venting a little frustration at how a professional author makes it sound so easy.

Can't say I actually have any authors who make me want to give up, most of them had to work very hard to get to where they are now.

 

[sheablue]

I get that from time to time. Read something, watch something, or hear something that makes you think "great, I feel 1000 times less talented. I gots no chance at being that good." Usually for me, the advice I give to friends is "Never watch Zakk Wylde videos when trying to learn guitar." It's pretty humbling.

But what I've found is that it's temporary. Maybe lasts a day or week tops. Then what does it do? It doesn't make you lose your appetite. Makes you hungrier. It makes you want it even more. And what you may find, is if you get good enough, you won't just be "writing like Gaiman" you'll be doing it possibly better. Because you'll have your own style that makes others shake their head in awe. And Gaiman wouldn't be able to touch it, because he does it how Gaiman does it and can't replicate Shea.

So read more of it. Toss in more kindling and smell the burn.

Exactly, exactly! Thank you, Second Circle!

I never said I was intimidated, Slyc said I was.

I wasn't procrastinating, either. It's more that I read these authors that I love, and I admire a turn of phrase, or a subtext, or a clever twist, and I think, Gah! I wish I could do that! That was so fucking brilliant!

But then I read some of my own stuff, or my writing starts taking an unexpected turn and I think, Wow! That was actually a little bit brilliant, too! I have a couple of friends who read what I write, and see things in my own writing that I don't even see. And they think I'm a little bit brilliant. Which makes it all worth it.

I'm not sure if I can roll with your burning the books metaphor, Second Circle, but you totally got me. I just love words, I love a good story so so much. And reading what I love makes me swoon, and it makes me hungry, and it makes me a better writer.

The feeling of wanting to crawl under a bridge lasts only a moment. Unless there is peace and quiet under there. That might be conducive to getting these two stories done.

But god, if you're a Gaiman fan, and you haven't read "The Ocean at the End of the Lane", I highly recommend it.

 

[Hypoxia]

1) I'm not intimidated by brilliant writers. They are them and I am me and I don't confuse the lot. Brilliant writers are worth plagiarizing, er I mean learning from. I keep a few good books nearby for stealing from, er I mean being inspired by.

2) I'm often working simultaneously on multiple stories, writing or editing. Over-commitment keeps me on my toes. Wherever my juices flow at any moment, that's where I am. Maybe I'm working an episode X of a series here, and a one-pager there, and some sequels over yonder, and...

3) Once the voices in my head are yelling, it's hard to shut them up. Doesn't matter if those voices are reciting something, I've read or prompting me to write something new. I just transcribe.

 

[SecondCircle]

Exactly, exactly! Thank you, Second Circle!

I never said I was intimidated, Slyc said I was.

I wasn't procrastinating, either. It's more that I read these authors that I love, and I admire a turn of phrase, or a subtext, or a clever twist, and I think, Gah! I wish I could do that! That was so fucking brilliant!

But then I read some of my own stuff, or my writing starts taking an unexpected turn and I think, Wow! That was actually a little bit brilliant, too! I have a couple of friends who read what I write, and see things in my own writing that I don't even see. And they think I'm a little bit brilliant. Which makes it all worth it.

I'm not sure if I can roll with your burning the books metaphor, Second Circle, but you totally got me. I just love words, I love a good story so so much. And reading what I love makes me swoon, and it makes me hungry, and it makes me a better writer.

The feeling of wanting to crawl under a bridge lasts only a moment. Unless there is peace and quiet under there. That might be conducive to getting these two stories done.

But god, if you're a Gaiman fan, and you haven't read "The Ocean at the End of the Lane", I highly recommend it.

Heh, I didn't intent the "kindling" as a book burning metaphor. Just saying read more to make you want it more. Get your fires burning or fuel yourself.

I used the music reference though because it's quite personal to me. Long ago (I was probably real young) I heard the wordless power of a guitar. Somewhere along the way of hearing my favorite guitarists, I stopped just wanting to hear that. I wanted to create it, and invoke that feeling in myself and in others (to share that feeling) over and over at my whim. That road is rocky to say the least. You pick up a guitar, you're guaranteed to sound like shit for your first few years. I would watch videos or listen to live stuff and like you said SWOON from the very sound. I thought "fuck I'll never be able to do it like that". It was so powerful and humbling.

But it made me want it even more.

Can't count how many days I've spent with an axe. Mostly self taught, picking up little bits here and there. It has all come together right under my nose. With what little natural talent for music I have, and the passion to fuel it, inspired by so many of the greats, I've come so fucking far. And honestly as I reflect, I don't even care if that goes anywhere, if I ever leave our meager little band that jams in a garage. Because that passion is still there and it fulfills me.

Reading that stuff will make you better Shea. It'll make you strive to achieve that greatness that inspired you so deeply. Then one day you'll look around and say, "Holy shit, I'm writing stuff I love to write and doing it pretty well."

At that moment, I hope you read another story that humbles you. Because it'll make you want to do it that much better all over again.

 

[slyc_willie]

I never said I was intimidated, Slyc said I was.

Hey, now, I never explicitly said you were intimidated by Gaiman or anyone else. But it seemed to me by your original post that you were.

I wasn't procrastinating, either. It's more that I read these authors that I love, and I admire a turn of phrase, or a subtext, or a clever twist, and I think, Gah! I wish I could do that! That was so fucking brilliant!

And I go back to what I said earlier about perception and hero worship. Was it really that profound? Or did it just seem that way because of the author's status?

But then I read some of my own stuff, or my writing starts taking an unexpected turn and I think, Wow! That was actually a little bit brilliant, too! I have a couple of friends who read what I write, and see things in my own writing that I don't even see. And they think I'm a little bit brilliant. Which makes it all worth it.

Exactly. That's what I'm talking about.

The wonderful thing about writing -- or any art, for that matter -- is how it's perceived. We can write a goofy little story, and someone, somewhere will read far more deeply into it than we ever intended. Are they wrong for doing so? Hell, no. Maybe we didn't intend for a story to mean as much as some apparently think it does, but if it comes across that way, I say we should feel touched that something we wrote struck a chord in someone else.

Of course, there's always the flip side, too. We can write what we think is some sort of brilliant expose on life, culture, morality, sexuality, whatever, and it will completely fade away into the background.

We can't control what anyone sees in our writing. So, why bother? Just write, damn it.

 

[robertreams]

Tim Obrien, "The Things They Carried", Leslie Norris, "Shaving"

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Neil Gaiman is an effete fairy princess with tiara and ruby slippers and wand, about as worthless as Maya Angelou and Rod McKuen and his pansy cat. He's just one of those creeps woman, and men who wanna be women, adore till the next faggot comes along.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Hey, now, I never explicitly said you were intimidated by Gaiman or anyone else. But it seemed to me by your original post that you were.



And I go back to what I said earlier about perception and hero worship. Was it really that profound? Or did it just seem that way because of the author's status?



Exactly. That's what I'm talking about.

The wonderful thing about writing -- or any art, for that matter -- is how it's perceived. We can write a goofy little story, and someone, somewhere will read far more deeply into it than we ever intended. Are they wrong for doing so? Hell, no. Maybe we didn't intend for a story to mean as much as some apparently think it does, but if it comes across that way, I say we should feel touched that something we wrote struck a chord in someone else.

Of course, there's always the flip side, too. We can write what we think is some sort of brilliant expose on life, culture, morality, sexuality, whatever, and it will completely fade away into the background.

We can't control what anyone sees in our writing. So, why bother? Just write, damn it.

There's a whole galaxy of shit we're clueless of, unless youre a PILOT, and at best we bring our pocket lint packed minds along to make sense of everything.

 

[sheablue]

I don't think it's procrastination when it's something you do for the fun of it.

I like that! I'm going to have to remind myself of that idea.

2) I'm often working simultaneously on multiple stories, writing or editing. Over-commitment keeps me on my toes. Wherever my juices flow at any moment, that's where I am. Maybe I'm working an episode X of a series here, and a one-pager there, and some sequels over yonder, and...

3) Once the voices in my head are yelling, it's hard to shut them up. Doesn't matter if those voices are reciting something, I've read or prompting me to write something new. I just transcribe.

I used to feel like I had to finish one thing before I started another. But I don't anymore. Sometimes I'm in the mood to write one type of thing, sometimes I'm in the mood to work on something else.

Do your voices yell? How rude! My just whisper in the most tantalizing way...

Heh, I didn't intent the "kindling" as a book burning metaphor. Just saying read more to make you want it more. Get your fires burning or fuel yourself.

I used the music reference though because it's quite personal to me. Long ago (I was probably real young) I heard the wordless power of a guitar. Somewhere along the way of hearing my favorite guitarists, I stopped just wanting to hear that. I wanted to create it, and invoke that feeling in myself and in others (to share that feeling) over and over at my whim. That road is rocky to say the least. You pick up a guitar, you're guaranteed to sound like shit for your first few years. I would watch videos or listen to live stuff and like you said SWOON from the very sound. I thought "fuck I'll never be able to do it like that". It was so powerful and humbling.

But it made me want it even more.

Can't count how many days I've spent with an axe. Mostly self taught, picking up little bits here and there. It has all come together right under my nose. With what little natural talent for music I have, and the passion to fuel it, inspired by so many of the greats, I've come so fucking far. And honestly as I reflect, I don't even care if that goes anywhere, if I ever leave our meager little band that jams in a garage. Because that passion is still there and it fulfills me.

Reading that stuff will make you better Shea. It'll make you strive to achieve that greatness that inspired you so deeply. Then one day you'll look around and say, "Holy shit, I'm writing stuff I love to write and doing it pretty well."

At that moment, I hope you read another story that humbles you. Because it'll make you want to do it that much better all over again.

I know you didn't mean that, about the kindling. I was only teasing. So what you are saying is ... someday I might actually really learn to play my guitar? Why is an F chord so hard?

And I go back to what I said earlier about perception and hero worship. Was it really that profound? Or did it just seem that way because of the author's status?

Here's the thing, though. In the case of Gaiman, he made me swoon before I had any idea who he was. It's just the way he crafts his stories. Not even profound really, just simple and meaningful and surprising.

The wonderful thing about writing -- or any art, for that matter -- is how it's perceived. We can write a goofy little story, and someone, somewhere will read far more deeply into it than we ever intended. Are they wrong for doing so? Hell, no. Maybe we didn't intend for a story to mean as much as some apparently think it does, but if it comes across that way, I say we should feel touched that something we wrote struck a chord in someone else.

Oh definitely. That's one of the rewards of writing. You should write for yourself, but it's no fun if you're writing in the dark, in a vacuum.


We can't control what anyone sees in our writing. So, why bother? Just write, damn it.

Now this I don't totally agree with. It's always a boon when someone sees something in your writing that you weren't sure you were getting across. But sometimes I am trying to control what people see. Sometimes I am trying to say something and I want people to hear it. Don't you think that's true of a lot of writers?

Tim Obrien, "The Things They Carried", Leslie Norris, "Shaving"

The things they carried, yes! The other I will have to look up.

Neil Gaiman is an effete fairy princess with tiara and ruby slippers and wand, about as worthless as Maya Angelou and Rod McKuen and his pansy cat. He's just one of those creeps woman, and men who wanna be women, adore till the next faggot comes along.

Well. Alrighty then.

 

[NaokoSmith]

The wonderful thing about writing -- or any art, for that matter -- is how it's perceived. We can write a goofy little story, and someone, somewhere will read far more deeply into it than we ever intended. Are they wrong for doing so? Hell, no. Maybe we didn't intend for a story to mean as much as some apparently think it does, but if it comes across that way, I say we should feel touched that something we wrote struck a chord in someone else.

Of course, there's always the flip side, too. We can write what we think is some sort of brilliant expose on life, culture, morality, sexuality, whatever, and it will completely fade away into the background.

We can't control what anyone sees in our writing. So, why bother? Just write, damn it.

It's always a boon when someone sees something in your writing that you weren't sure you were getting across. But sometimes I am trying to control what people see. Sometimes I am trying to say something and I want people to hear it. Don't you think that's true of a lot of writers?

Like they say, Death of the Author. (Upon the table lay three items: a handkerchief, a book, and a knife. He seized the knife and plunged it into the book, yelling: "Die, die! I control the story now! Mwaa ha ha ha." ). What we read into the story changes it, and it becomes the story for us. Like I was re-reading Pride and Prejudice recently. I don't know how many times I read it, but I saw the character Lizzie in a different light suddenly because of some other things I'm thinking about at the moment.

There's a subconscious story-writing that goes on, and afterwards we may even realise: "Oh OK, I see now what I was trying to say - to myself as much as to other people." That can be great fun, seeing what comes up, what messages and truths come unanticipated from the depths of our sub-conscious.

I think too, though, that there is something to be said for trying consciously to work with a story and work it out so it says things you want it to tell.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

The subconscious is cool and nifty but its the conscious awareness that makes the distinctions and judgments and conclusions. I mean, some results are high risk, low probability candidates for success.

 

[NaokoSmith]

I guess it's a little like trying to control your dreams. Sometimes you can be nearly awake, and dreaming, and you can think: No, wait. I want the bicycle not to have a flat tyre, and I want the fish to ride off on it into a silver sea.

There is the risk of losing some fascinating message that was going to bob up from your subconscious. And there's the chance that you might catch the message and shape it as it comes up, to make a better story.

(Cuh! I wonder what I mean by fish riding bicycles off into a silver sea! )

 

[slyc_willie]

Now this I don't totally agree with. It's always a boon when someone sees something in your writing that you weren't sure you were getting across. But sometimes I am trying to control what people see. Sometimes I am trying to say something and I want people to hear it. Don't you think that's true of a lot of writers?

Absolutely. But just because you're yelling, doesn't mean you're being heard. I have an eight-year-old. I know this all too well. And aside from some variations in maturity, readers are an awful lot like that.

Like they say, Death of the Author. (Upon the table lay three items: a handkerchief, a book, and a knife. He seized the knife and plunged it into the book, yelling: "Die, die! I control the story now! Mwaa ha ha ha." ). What we read into the story changes it, and it becomes the story for us. Like I was re-reading Pride and Prejudice recently. I don't know how many times I read it, but I saw the character Lizzie in a different light suddenly because of some other things I'm thinking about at the moment.

There's a subconscious story-writing that goes on, and afterwards we may even realise: "Oh OK, I see now what I was trying to say - to myself as much as to other people." That can be great fun, seeing what comes up, what messages and truths come unanticipated from the depths of our sub-conscious.

I think too, though, that there is something to be said for trying consciously to work with a story and work it out so it says things you want it to tell.

Obviously, certain messages in one's writing are going to get across. But I don't think that every little nuance in my writing is being received the way I hope it is. I figure, some will catch it, some won't. But I can't control how people see my characters or what they make of the motivations as I've given them. There's always the chance that what I write is not what I intended to create.