Something we ALL love but don’t discuss

[Emilymcplugger]

So one of the things that many of us bitch and moan about on these threads is that feeling you get when you’ve been churning out words for a while, a little bit at a time, a hundred words here, two hundred words there, and you feel it’s just noise, just jumble, just MEH!

You feel down, you come on here, have a rant about how everything you do is rubbish, BUT, after some time you then read back what you’ve done and realise there IS something there.

Something intriguing.

Something that makes you want to read more and know more.

When we’re in that “all meh” funk, it’s really easy to feel discouraged, but then when you let time pass and come back to your story and realise you’re cracking it…boy, that’s the shit right there!

 

[EmilyMiller]

Something we ALL love but don’t discuss​

Is the answer: “posting threads with clickbait titles”?

I really have to stop doing that.

Oddly - perhaps due to my terminal narcissism - I seldom hate what I write. I often think it could be better. Then I normally try to make it so.

Em

 

[mirafrida]

Writing can be tough, but it does allow for many different flavors of naval gazing...
- "ooh, this is going to be so good..."
- "uh oh, I've been editing so long it's starting to feel like it sucks - better keep telling myself it's good..."
- "I can't wait until this posts because it's so good!"
- "hmm, readers aren't quite grasping how good this is, but... after rereading i can comfirm it is SO good"
- "ugh that old story of mine is a bit clunky, not like the amazingly good stuff i write now..."

 

[Voboy]

You had me until this point:

You feel down, you come on here, have a rant about how everything you do is rubbish..........

I don't do those things. Lol.

 

[MelissaBaby]

Is the answer: “posting threads with clickbait titles”?

I thought this thread was going to be about masturbation.

 

[EmilyMiller]

I thought this thread was going to be about masturbation.

Yeah. A shame, right?

Em

 

[MelissaBaby]

Yeah. A shame, right?

I have plugged Hitachi wands in my stories so many times, they ought to send me a free one.

 

[Emilymcplugger]

I have plugged Hitachi wands in my stories so many times, they ought to send me a free one.

Well, I think you guys have just achieved record thread derailment there.

Thanks.

 

[EmilyMiller]

I have plugged Hitachi wands in my stories so many times, they ought to send me a free one.

They are “magic” .

Em

 

[Emilymcplugger]

Writing can be tough, but it does allow for many different flavors of naval gazing...
- "ooh, this is going to be so good..."
- "uh oh, I've been editing so long it's starting to feel like it sucks - better keep telling myself it's good..."
- "I can't wait until this posts because it's so good!"
- "hmm, readers aren't quite grasping how good this is, but... after rereading i can comfirm it is SO good"
- "ugh that old story of mine is a bit clunky, not like the amazingly good stuff i write now..."

I think there’s value in that journey though.

We do go through much of that but as long as we are learning then surely each step is taking us to a better place.

Unless we’re not and heading towards a volcano.

 

[SimonDoom]

I thought this thread was going to be about masturbation.

Me too. I mean, there aren't that many things we actually all agree about, right?

 

[Rob_Royale]

When we’re in that “all meh” funk, it’s really easy to feel discouraged, but then when you let time pass and come back to your story and realise you’re cracking it…boy, that’s the shit right there!

My stories are written like an artist drawing a figure. First, a frame, then the limbs and face are shaped, and little by little the detail is filled in until it's done. I start with a fully realized plot and I write it, straight through. I take notes as I realize specifics I want to remember. It's rough and undetailed, but when the first step is done I'm fairly certain there's a complete story there. Then there's a series of edits and I add setting detail, better dialog, character polishing and bump up the intensity of the sex scenes. It's a rough way to write, I'll admit, but that's how it happens. I think I get good results, but not really seeing how good it is until the very end is both frustrating and elating at the same time.

 

[EmilyMiller]

Well, I think you guys have just achieved record thread derailment there.

Thanks.

We are so sorry

 

[Altissimus]

These days I don't even start to write until I have a premise I can get enthusiastic about and an idea of where the story is going. I just hit 'submit' on my first new story in two months; it took me three weeks to plan and was written in three days (around work). That's my solution to 'writer's block', or writing stuff I think is 'just noise'.

 

[mirafrida]

My stories are written like an artist drawing a figure. ...

View attachment 2245285

I abhor that sort of drawing tutorial. Don't tell me 2 to 3 is just 'one more step.' That's 100% of what I can't do!

It's like
1. Draw wireframe
2. Rough out
3. ???
4. PROFIT!

 

[Lazarus]

These days I don't even start to write until I have a premise I can get enthusiastic about and an idea of where the story is going. I just hit 'submit' on my first new story in two months; it took me three weeks to plan and was written in three days (around work). That's my solution to 'writer's block', or writing stuff I think is 'just noise'.

I think I have a good premise but not sure it’s getting there any ideas? Do I keep plugging away or try something else that moves me.

 

[ElectricBlue]

I thought this thread was going to be about masturbation.

Nine minutes, as Bramble timed, elsewhere .

 

[Altissimus]

I think I have a good premise but not sure it’s getting there any ideas? Do I keep plugging away or try something else that moves me.

Mow your lawn or go for a drive. Free your mind, as Morpheus would say. Is the premise one that interests you? If so, it's worth sticking with - the answer is there. Think it through. Where's it going? Why is it going there? Is that fun? Do you like it? If not, try taking it somewhere else. Make notes on your phone - a good dialogue line to add in; a plot point to include.

Write it when you're excited to write it; it's too much like work otherwise.

Just my approach. YMMV.

 

[Cagivagurl]

So one of the things that many of us bitch and moan about on these threads is that feeling you get when you’ve been churning out words for a while, a little bit at a time, a hundred words here, two hundred words there, and you feel it’s just noise, just jumble, just MEH!

You feel down, you come on here, have a rant about how everything you do is rubbish, BUT, after some time you then read back what you’ve done and realise there IS something there.

Something intriguing.

Something that makes you want to read more and know more.

When we’re in that “all meh” funk, it’s really easy to feel discouraged, but then when you let time pass and come back to your story and realise you’re cracking it…boy, that’s the shit right there!

A lot of what I write is long winded. Yes, I like you I often get to a point where I am boring myself to sleep.
I know there is a good story hiding in there somewhere if I can just keep going.

What works for me is walking away and coming back to it when I am feeling refreshed.

I have something like 50 or so unfinished stories waiting for me to get back to them...
I find wine, and a blunt are good...

Cagivagurl.

 

[NoTalentHack]

My stories are written like an artist drawing a figure. First, a frame, then the limbs and face are shaped, and little by little the detail is filled in until it's done. I start with a fully realized plot and I write it, straight through. I take notes as I realize specifics I want to remember. It's rough and undetailed, but when the first step is done I'm fairly certain there's a complete story there. Then there's a series of edits and I add setting detail, better dialog, character polishing and bump up the intensity of the sex scenes. It's a rough way to write, I'll admit, but that's how it happens. I think I get good results, but not really seeing how good it is until the very end is both frustrating and elating at the same time.

View attachment 2245285

Mine are written like a coked up construction crew: Imma build this thing, Imma build it quick, and then, once the high wears off, Imma come back and look for code violations and find A LOT.

 

[SeraphNocturne]

So one of the things that many of us bitch and moan about on these threads is that feeling you get when you’ve been churning out words for a while, a little bit at a time, a hundred words here, two hundred words there, and you feel it’s just noise, just jumble, just MEH!

You feel down, you come on here, have a rant about how everything you do is rubbish, BUT, after some time you then read back what you’ve done and realise there IS something there.

Something intriguing.

Something that makes you want to read more and know more.

When we’re in that “all meh” funk, it’s really easy to feel discouraged, but then when you let time pass and come back to your story and realise you’re cracking it…boy, that’s the shit right there!

I can relate to this very much so, but it's not usually a... 'This is garbage, I am garbage, where is my can so that I may crawl inside and die...' so much as a 'This feels... dull... or off...' OR just a straightforward, 'I really don't feel like doing this right now! '

Usually I'll put it away, take a step back and try to relocate my muse... that fickle bitch. She's usually hiding amongst some forgotten or neglected hobby. So, I'll go play a few pieces on the piano, binge an entire album or five of jazz or old school rock, go find a trail to get lost on or visit my favorite garden and snap a few photographs. It helps to take a few days away from writing to get back into the swing of feeling more than 'productive'.

I think with my shoddy ability to focus sometimes I get overwhelmed, and I pile on writing projects to the point that it feels like it's literal work, and that just won't do when you're trying to embrace a creative flow!

The come-back mood though, when you're pumped for the story again and you're feeling yourself and you know that it's going to be hot fire when it hits the New Stories list? If I could replicate that feeling, bottle and sell it, I would be filthy rich... not much compares to it--I suppose only reading a story that's just flawlessly executed!

 

[Rob_Royale]

I abhor that sort of drawing tutorial. Don't tell me 2 to 3 is just 'one more step.' That's 100% of what I can't do!

Right there with ya pal.

Mine are written like a coked up construction crew: Imma build this thing, Imma build it quick, and then, once the high wears off, Imma come back and look for code violations and find A LOT.

Sorry man, I'm gonna call bullshit on that. I've read your work. If coked-out construction crews could work that well, there would be TV shows dedicated to it already. HGTV would have drastically different shows. There would certainly be more hookers featured.

 

[NoTalentHack]

Sorry man, I'm gonna call bullshit on that. I've read your work. If coked-out construction crews could work that well, there would be TV shows dedicated to it already. HGTV would have drastically different shows. There would certainly be more hookers featured.

That's because you're seeing the finished product. My first drafts would be condemned by both the Board of Housing and the WGA. ProWritingAid screams at me. "You used 'She' to start a sentence twenty times in a row. Are you going for a record?"

 

[SimonDoom]

Mine are written like a coked up construction crew: Imma build this thing, Imma build it quick, and then, once the high wears off, Imma come back and look for code violations and find A LOT.

THIS is an example of a great first line. Makes me want to read more about that construction crew. And what those buildings look like. LOL.

 

[Dunes_et_Soleil]

I thought this thread was going to be about masturbation.

Adding some masturbation might improve it
Unless it hurts...