Writing is really hard, and I suck at it

[alohadave]

I need to vent.

Writing is really hard. I don't know how you guys do it, but nothing I write feels like it's any good.

It's discouraging that everything that I type is so clunky and awkward. I have the story in my head, and when I write the words they are like a child wrote them.

I know it's only been a few months (Oct 22), but I never imagined it'd be this hard.

 

[djrip]

Maybe you're just being hard on yourself. Everyone's their own worst critic and all that. Maybe everyone else is thinking the same kinds of things about their stuff.

 

[TarnishedPenny]

Cut yourself some slack. You’ve been writing for less than a year, have published a couple of dozen tales and garnered a bunch of those lovely red Hs. Well done. (Which of course comes with the unspoken implication - keep getting better!)

 

[Djmac1031]

I've read some of your stuff, and I don't think it's bad at all.

We've discussed ways to improve it already. And I think you're up to the task.

Maybe you're trying too hard?

Relax, don't force it.

I know it's hard not to second guess everything, believe me, I do it all the time.

Maybe ask someone to beta read, let them give you some honest advice and opinions on it.

 

[RoperTrace]

I need to vent.

Writing is really hard. I don't know how you guys do it, but nothing I write feels like it's any good.

It's discouraging that everything that I type is so clunky and awkward. I have the story in my head, and when I write the words they are like a child wrote them.

I know it's only been a few months (Oct 22), but I never imagined it'd be this hard.

You appear to be pretty successful, lots of high ratings. Is this a recent development to your writing? We all have and get doubts. keep pushing on. I've often gotten the feeling like it's all garbage, and then may get an email from a reader, so I keep on. In my case, I went almost two years between parts 01 and 02 of my most recent story. Lots of health things going on with my wife, and then recently a few for myself. I got back to finishing part 02 to take my mind off of things. Whatever works in your case. Ogg's recent passing spurred me on to finish that story. He was one of our more prolific writers with over 500 stories, and kept writing after his 2019 lung cancer diagnosis. He never stopped.

 

[AwkwardlySet]

We are rarely objective about our own work, one way or the other. Maybe you are too harsh towards yourself.
But let's also test the other possibility, that your writing isn't good enough. Being a teacher I know that different students require different approaches and unequal amounts of time to achieve the same outcome. It could be that you just need some extra tutoring, some extra effort to find your way, and nothing else. My advice is for you to write to the best of your ability and then ask for feedback, often and from different people. Write down what more than a few among them found lacking in your writing. Find your weak spots first so you can try to overcome them.

 

[Djmac1031]

I sat on my Nude Day story, My Daughter The Nudist, for months, because about halfway through, I thought it was garbage.

I couldn't commit to a direction on it, so it kept wobbling back and forth.

Eventually, I shared it with a few friends who really helped. First, by helping me commit to a direction, and second, just by telling me "no, it's not crap, there's a story here."

I finally finished and published it.

Is it my BEST story? No.

My highest rated, best received, best reviewed? No, no and no.

Was it trashed? Hated? No. Other than one negative comment, most readers seemed to enjoy it.

And that's really all I could hope for.

 

[MillieDynamite]

I need to vent.

Writing is really hard. I don't know how you guys do it, but nothing I write feels like it's any good.

It's discouraging that everything that I type is so clunky and awkward. I have the story in my head, and when I write the words they are like a child wrote them.

I know it's only been a few months (Oct 22), but I never imagined it'd be this hard.

Stop pulling your punches. What do you really think?

Just kidding.

Keep working at it, you'll get better or die trying, give it the ole college go, never say quit, never give up, never surrender, and whatever other platitude keeps you writing.

 

[Jackie.Hikaru]

I need to vent.

Writing is really hard. I don't know how you guys do it, but nothing I write feels like it's any good.

It's discouraging that everything that I type is so clunky and awkward. I have the story in my head, and when I write the words they are like a child wrote them.

I know it's only been a few months (Oct 22), but I never imagined it'd be this hard.

I too also suck at it. But everyday I suck at it just a little bit less. Still suck, but sucking a little less than I did before . And now, at the very least, I'm very good at sucking.
But someday I won't suck as much. Then, I'm afraid I'll miss sucking.

 

[Rob_Royale]

But everyday I suck at it just a little bit less.

Bingo! Perfectly said, in one line. Although, you said "suck" so many times, I'm now terribly distracted.

A tourist in N.Y.C. approaches a local street musician. "Pardon me, but can you tell me how to get to Carnegie Hall?"
The musician grins and says, "Practice man, practice."

Dave, I haven't read any of your stuff yet, but you're on my list.

 

[Jackie.Hikaru]

Bingo! Perfectly said, in one line. Although, you said "suck" so many times, I'm now terribly distracted.

A tourist in N.Y.C. approaches a local street musician. "Pardon me, but can you tell me how to get to Carnegie Hall?"
The musician grins and says, "Practice man, practice."

Dave, I haven't read any of your stuff yet, but you're on my list.

Exactly! Couldn't have said it better

 

[Smuttyandfun]

I've been questioning everything I write lately. And I'm doing a lot of deleting.

The only thing that works for me is to keep writing. Just push on. You can look back at it later and decide if it needs tweaking, but don't give up.

If I feel really stuck, I might switch stories, or try to think of something new to write, so I'm not obsessing over the story I'm stuck on.

I think it's normal to question what we write. I know most authors do it, even occasionally.

 

[Altissimus]

I'm currently writing (trying to write) something out of my usual comfort zone. And yes, writing is hard. I'm 9k words in and I've stalled. I sent it to a friend to ask whether I should bother continuing or not. Fortunately, she said I should... and sometimes that's what you need: a positive critique, an expression of interest. A nod that, maybe, someone will enjoy your work.

Because that's the point, isn't it?

Screw the 1-bombers. We write primarily for ourselves, and secondarily for those that enjoy what we write.

So when you get a good comment, it's all worth it. And if you put it out there, you will get that good comment.

Gotta put it out there first.

 

[alohadave]

Maybe you're just being hard on yourself.

Maybe.

Cut yourself some slack. You’ve been writing for less than a year, have published a couple of dozen tales and garnered a bunch of those lovely red Hs. Well done. (Which of course comes with the unspoken implication - keep getting better!)

Thanks. I'm trying, it's just frustrating getting there.

I've read some of your stuff, and I don't think it's bad at all.

We've discussed ways to improve it already. And I think you're up to the task.

Maybe you're trying too hard?

Relax, don't force it.

I know it's hard not to second guess everything, believe me, I do it all the time.

Maybe ask someone to beta read, let them give you some honest advice and opinions on it.

I appreciate your advice from that review, and maybe I'm overthinking it. And I reworked that story, currently working on it, plus several others.

Is this a recent development to your writing? We all have and get doubts. keep pushing on. I've often gotten the feeling like it's all garbage, and then may get an email from a reader, so I keep on.

It's always been there. I never really knew what writing was like before I started doing it, and there are a million little things to do, and it's all on you when you are writing. The encouraging comments are great though. One I got speculated on where the story could go, and that was really nice, that they felt like the story was worth continuing.

But let's also test the other possibility, that your writing isn't good enough. Being a teacher I know that different students require different approaches and unequal amounts of time to achieve the same outcome. It could be that you just need some extra tutoring, some extra effort to find your way, and nothing else.

This feels like it has some truth to it. Maybe I am being to self-critical, and maybe I just want to be good now.

I sat on my Nude Day story, My Daughter The Nudist, for months, because about halfway through, I thought it was garbage.

Part of my feeling is that I'm working on longer stories and they are intimidating me. Coming up with the ideas and outlining them, I could do that every day with no problem. That's fun as hell. The size of the stories is more than I've dealt with. I have them outlined, and where I want them to go, but then it's like writing 10-12 shorter stories and tying them together.

Keep working at it, you'll get better or die trying, give it the ole college go, never say quit, never give up, never surrender, and whatever other platitude keeps you writing.

Thanks for the encouragement. Sometimes I get in my own head too much.

****

Part of my frustration is that I have these stories in my head, and I feel like I'm not able to get them out without mangling and not doing them justice. Because I know how they should be.

 

[Djmac1031]

Coming up with the ideas and outlining them, I could do that every day with no problem.

I know that feeling. I've always said I'm a better Idea Man than an actual writer.

I get IDEAS all the time. Have a folder full of them.

Actually WRITING the damn things is where it gets hard.

So trust me: you're not alone in this.

 

[Smuttyandfun]

Maybe.


Thanks. I'm trying, it's just frustrating getting there.


I appreciate your advice from that review, and maybe I'm overthinking it. And I reworked that story, currently working on it, plus several others.


It's always been there. I never really knew what writing was like before I started doing it, and there are a million little things to do, and it's all on you when you are writing. The encouraging comments are great though. One I got speculated on where the story could go, and that was really nice, that they felt like the story was worth continuing.


This feels like it has some truth to it. Maybe I am being to self-critical, and maybe I just want to be good now.


Part of my feeling is that I'm working on longer stories and they are intimidating me. Coming up with the ideas and outlining them, I could do that every day with no problem. That's fun as hell. The size of the stories is more than I've dealt with. I have them outlined, and where I want them to go, but then it's like writing 10-12 shorter stories and tying them together.


Thanks for the encouragement. Sometimes I get in my own head too much.

****

Part of my frustration is that I have these stories in my head, and I feel like I'm not able to get them out without mangling and not doing them justice. Because I know how they should be.

Then don't write a story.

Just write down the ideas in your head. Gradually you can flesh it out, and get more descriptive and you'll a have story.

Sometimes I'll just let my thoughts flow, without worrying about dialogue, feelings, descriptions or anything else. Just put down what you want to have happen, then go back and work on the bones till you've got a full-fledged honest to goodness story.

I read one of your stories and you write well. So, if you're feeling stuck, just get your ideas down. It's less pressure if you're really only jotting down the basics.

Just a thought that sometimes works for me.

 

[alohadave]

Just write down the ideas in your head. Gradually you can flesh it out, and get more descriptive and you'll a have story.

Sometimes I'll just let my thoughts flow, without worrying about dialogue, feelings, descriptions or anything else. Just put down what you want to have happen, then go back and work on the bones till you've got a full-fledged honest to goodness story.

I like that.

 

[Bramblethorn]

I need to vent.

Writing is really hard. I don't know how you guys do it, but nothing I write feels like it's any good.

It's discouraging that everything that I type is so clunky and awkward. I have the story in my head, and when I write the words they are like a child wrote them.

I know it's only been a few months (Oct 22), but I never imagined it'd be this hard.

Give yourself permission to suck. Tell yourself "I'm going to write this story, I'm going to do the best job I can... but even if it still sucks after all that, so what?"

It's not the end of the world. You're not going to lose any publishing deals here.

Most of us are our own worst critics. It's very likely that the story will be better than you can see. But even if it's terrible, you can just go on and write another one.

 

[Djmac1031]

Here's another tip for whatever it's worth, one I just recently figured out.

In the story I'm writing now, two characters have a particularly long conversation.

Instead of getting bogged down with "he said," "she replied," "he frowned," "she grumbled" etc. I'm just writing the conversation.

It's only the two of them talking, so it's pretty easy to keep straight who's saying what.

Later, I can go back and add a few descriptive words if I feel an emotion is needed, but for the most part I can skip all that repetitive nonsense.

My OTHER new discovery is I can...gasp...SKIP writing a sex scene.

Not that I can't go back and add it later. But sometimes you get into STORY mode, where you just wanna keep the plot and characters MOVING, and writing the damn sex is the last thing on your mind.

So... skip it. Set up the scenario, then jump ahead to after and keep going.

You can always go back and add the sex later.

 

[Milo_Grigsby]

You might consider taking stock of why you write. Because I agree, it's hard. But, for me anyway, it's fun. Most things I do in my creative life are hard, but I do them because I genuinely love the process of creation. It's similar to when, years ago, I took up fly fishing. What I discovered after doing it for a while is that what I truly loved was the process more than the actual catching of fish. It was great when I caught one of course, but as John Gierach wrote, I was perfectly happy "... standing in a river waving a stick....". Point being, if you don't love the process of whatever you are doing, even the best of results will not be ultimately fulfilling. Fall back in love with the process and its inevitable challenges and even the worst of results will still bring some level of satisfaction.

Of course, I say all of this from privileged position of not having to earn by keep by writing or doing artwork. But I am fortunate enough to feel the same way about my career, which I have been at for 30+ years. When my kids (now adults) ask me "When are you going to retire?" I say, "When I stop having fun."

 

[AWhoopsieDaisy]

I need to vent.

Writing is really hard. I don't know how you guys do it, but nothing I write feels like it's any good.

It's discouraging that everything that I type is so clunky and awkward. I have the story in my head, and when I write the words they are like a child wrote them.

I know it's only been a few months (Oct 22), but I never imagined it'd be this hard.

First drafts are supposed to be terrible. It's all about getting the ideas onto the page. You can go back and worry about prose quality later.

 

[StrangeLife]

If you feel that way, posting a story in Loving Wives could be the way to go. Preferably one with a cuckolding theme. A few encouraging and uplifting comments from your readers will work wonders in restoring your self-confidence as an author...

 

[MelissaBaby]

My OTHER new discovery is I can...gasp...SKIP writing a sex scene.

Not that I can't go back and add it later. But sometimes you get into STORY mode, where you just wanna keep the plot and characters MOVING, and writing the damn sex is the last thing on your mind.

So... skip it. Set up the scenario, then jump ahead to after and keep going.

You can always go back and add the sex later.

That's what I always do. Imagine if you were writing a Broadway musical. You wouldn't write until you get to the first dance number, then choreograph the dancing before you went on with the story.

 

[onehitwanda]

If you feel that way, posting a story in Loving Wives could be the way to go. Preferably one with a cuckolding theme. A few encouraging and uplifting comments from your readers will work wonders in restoring your self-confidence as an author...

 

[SimonDoom]

I think the "permission to suck" approach is a good way to look at things. I go through mood swings with my writing. Sometimes I like what I'm writing a lot and sometimes not so much. But I find that if I just write and get something done I usually feel good about it. I also look at Literotica as a great opportunity to practice, to get better. There's no need for published stories to be perfect. When I publish something, I'm done with it, and I move on to the next project. I don't noodle over how I might have improved something.