Reading for pleasure…

[EmilyMiller]

Lit just published my longest, and most complicated, story. It took me ages to write and it felt like even longer to edit (thanks to my lovely beta readers for your help ).

Inevitably, it began to be a slog. It felt like work.

Then, over lunch today, there wasn’t too much going on here, and my bf isn’t at home, so I idly started reading it.

And I found my relationship to it to be totally different. It was fun to read. I felt kinda proud. The opposite of the rather negative feelings that had built up towards the end.

But… I also appreciated how much effort had gone into the editing process. Way fewer issues than normal!

It was nice to read it as a reader, not as an author.

Is this common?

Em

 

[Bazzle]

I love going back to some of my older works. I surprise myself that i managed to write it.

So yes, reading your own work once you can't change it is a nice feeling.

B

 

[djrip]

Once I've got some distance from the writing, it's nice to go back and be like, "oh yeah, i do actually like this one..."

 

[EmilyMiller]

Saying that, just found two typos. Both unintended results of last-minute changes, and so entirely my own fault,

Em

 

[EmilyMiller]

Once I've got some distance from the writing, it's nice to go back and be like, "oh yeah, i do actually like this one..."

I need to get back to your super fun lesbian story.

Em

 

[Altissimus]

I think there's something slightly narcissistic about that kinda relationship with your own writing, but hell, if you don't like it, how can you expect anyone else to?

I enjoy reading over my own work, especially when much time has passed (with one exception, which I might get around to re-writing one day). However, it doesn't matter how much it's edited, I always find something I want to change. That's the cross we bear, eh?

 

[Djmac1031]

As you're well aware of, I've been dealing with this myself.

My prequel to The Devil And Angel Em publishes tomorrow. I spent weeks writing it. And weeks EDITING IT.

OVER...AND OVER...AND OVER.

I got sick of reading it lol.

And I bet there's still a mistake in there somewhere.

But I'm intensely proud of the story, and I think with a little time and space from it, I'll enjoy reading it again.

I hope so anyway. Because I'm planning a third part and am gonna need to refer back to both stories frequently for continuity.

 

[Euphony]

My peak with any story is after the "seasoning" phase.

First rip is easy b/c you are free flowing and everything "isn't so serious" so try stuff.

First edit is tougher. Kinda like the first real test in a class you don't expect to coast in.

Subsequent cluster edits weigh heavier and heavier. Motivation is challenged.

Then I force a "steeping" period. Out of sight, out of mind. It's not aging, I'm just getting needed distance.

That reread after time away *usually* is like long distance lovers finally in the same place again. "Oh yeah. THAT'S why I do all of this."

If I feel particularly clever at at least a few points, I'll see it through to the end.

If it's still not hitting, it goes to the darkness folder, rarely to be seen, heard, or thought of again.

 

[Emilymcplugger]

Lit just published my longest, and most complicated, story. It took me ages to write and it felt like even longer to edit (thanks to my lovely beta readers for your help ).

Inevitably, it began to be a slog. It felt like work.

Then, over lunch today, there wasn’t too much going on here, and my bf isn’t at home, so I idly started reading it.

And I found my relationship to it to be totally different. It was fun to read. I felt kinda proud. The opposite of the rather negative feelings that had built up towards the end.

But… I also appreciated how much effort had gone into the editing process. Way fewer issues than normal!

It was nice to read it as a reader, not as an author.

Is this common?

Em

I can read my stories at the time, but once they’re out there I’m kind of detached from them.

Don’t get me wrong they can certainly float my boat when writing them (very difficult not to get a little humpy whilst at work writing) but once I’m at the end…that’s it…they’re gone like Kaiser Soze.

Also, sorry to have been away so long. Currently finishing CARRY ON CRUISING then gotta get back to THE PROCESS.

 

[AwkwardlySet]

It does sound a bit unusual since you've just published that story. I did have similar experiences, but mostly now when I am reading and editing my older stories, stories I haven't really read since the moment I first published them.
Maybe I should try reading my story right after publishing it. Strange as it is, it never really occurred to me to do it.

 

[Djmac1031]

I think there's something slightly narcissistic about that kinda relationship with your own writing, but hell, if you don't like it, how can you expect anyone else to?

Oh I agree, and I have no problem with being narcissistic about my own stories lol.

I write them for me, because they're the kind of stories I enjoy reading.

Hopefully others like them, of course. But if I hate my own story, there's a problem lol.

I enjoy reading over my own work, especially when much time has passed (with one exception, which I might get around to re-writing one day). However, it doesn't matter how much it's edited, I always find something I want to change. That's the cross we bear, eh?

Again, same. I'm always finding something. "Damn. If only I'd..."

Happens to all of us, I suspect.

 

[Djmac1031]

I usually just see stuff I want to change when I read after posting...

That only happens to me every time lol.

My newest one publishing tomorrow; I've refused to check it again after submitting. Because I just know I'd be tempted to make "just one more change."

I had to just let it go.

 

[AG31]

Lit just published my longest, and most complicated, story. It took me ages to write and it felt like even longer to edit (thanks to my lovely beta readers for your help ).

Inevitably, it began to be a slog. It felt like work.

Then, over lunch today, there wasn’t too much going on here, and my bf isn’t at home, so I idly started reading it.

And I found my relationship to it to be totally different. It was fun to read. I felt kinda proud. The opposite of the rather negative feelings that had built up towards the end.

But… I also appreciated how much effort had gone into the editing process. Way fewer issues than normal!

It was nice to read it as a reader, not as an author.

Is this common?

Em

Wo!!! A bunch of folks must just live here!!! So many replies in the last 30 minutes!!

Anyway, I get a lot of pleasure out of my published stuff, but mostly as I reflect on it during bouts of insomnia. I really do like specific parts that I think just captured the moment. Often I refine them and that leads to yet another version!!!

 

[EmilyMiller]

I've never really gotten this. My least favorite of my stories are my highest rated and my lowest rated are my favorites.

What I view as my second best work is my second best rated. My highest rated is - I think - an example of my writing style becoming way more competent, even though is as deep as a very shallow thing.

I think I only have one story that I think is good and the public disagree (if you ignore my lesbian LW story that is).

Em

 

[EmilyMiller]

I think there's something slightly narcissistic about that kinda relationship with your own writing,

It’s as narcissistic as fuck, of course . A guilty pleasure.

Em

 

[Djmac1031]

I think I only have one story that I think is good and the public disagree (if you ignore my lesbian LW story that is).

Maybe it's just ego. But I think ALL my stories are good.

Now, we could debate all day whether they're "Well written." And I know my shortcomings in that area.

But I think my IDEAS are good, and I generally execute them well enough to get the story across.

And I think I've been very lucky that that vast majority of my readers seem to agree.

Or are at least very generous with ratings

 

[EmilyMiller]

Also, sorry to have been away so long.

I get bored with my thousands of alts sometimes .

Em

 

[EmilyMiller]

It does sound a bit unusual since you've just published that story. I did have similar experiences, but mostly now when I am reading and editing my older stories, stories I haven't really read since the moment I first published them.
Maybe I should try reading my story right after publishing it. Strange as it is, it never really occurred to me to do it.

I agree it’s strange. I think maybe as I had a protracted editing phase.

Em

 

[Altissimus]

I've never really gotten this. My least favorite of my stories are my highest rated and my lowest rated are my favorites.

There's 'like' and there's 'like'. I've written stories I'll never read again, but I still 'like' them in the sense that I think I did a good job. Taking pride in that. I know damn well you can do the same.

 

[Djmac1031]

I agree it’s strange. I think maybe as I had a protracted editing phase.

Em

Editing is a necessary evil.

The more you edit, the more there's a tendency for self doubt to creep in: "Is this thing actually any fucking good?"

Especially as you find more mistakes. Or have a beta reader point out problems with plot holes or continuity errors.

The trick is not to let those things plague us to the point of self doubt.

Edit. Fix. Proofread. Edit again. Rinse, repeat. It becomes tedious, obnoxious even. We start to hate our own words.

Then it's done. We publish. We walk away.

Then read it again with fresh eyes. And realize "hey, this ain't half bad. All that work paid off."

 

[EmilyMiller]

Editing is a necessary evil.

The more you edit, the more there's a tendency for self doubt to creep in: "Is this thing actually any fucking good?"

Especially as you find more mistakes. Or have a beta reader point out problems with plot holes or continuity errors.

The trick is not to let those things plague us to the point of self doubt.

Edit. Fix. Proofread. Edit again. Rinse, repeat. It becomes tedious, obnoxious even. We start to hate our own words.

Then it's done. We publish. We walk away.

Then read it again with fresh eyes. And realize "hey, this ain't half bad. All that work paid off."

I just found four instances of spelling “Lily” as “Lilly” .

Em

 

[Djmac1031]

I just found four instances of spelling “Lily” as “Lilly” .

Em

That's a tough one, even for a beta reader to pick up.

Not a total disaster. Better than a completely wrong character name. I've done that several times. It hurts every time I see those mistakes

 

[EmilyMiller]

That's a tough one, even for a beta reader to pick up.

Not a total disaster. Better than a completely wrong character name. I've done that several times. It hurts every time I see those mistakes

My Karaoke Event story is 3P Past with the narrator’s perspective limited to the FMC.

I lost count of how often I wrote “I…” in the first draft.

Em

 

[AwkwardlySet]

I just found four instances of spelling “Lily” as “Lilly” .

Em

You amateurs.
Then again, I've just found that in the same story, I refer to the same city correctly as Quickriver three times, and then three more times as Quicksilver... I will shamelessly claim that my error was tougher to spot than yours

 

[Djmac1031]

My Karaoke Event story is 3P Past with the narrator’s perspective limited to the FMC.

I lost count of how often I wrote “I…” in the first draft.

Em

As I progressed through the Jenna series, I came to the realization that the only real way I could continue the story with a growing cast of characters was to switch from 1st Person, the MMC character, to 3rd Person Omniscient.

Because I needed to be able to get inside the other characters thoughts and feelings too.

Man, was that an adjustment. Because yeah, "I" kept cropping up constantly lol.