How do you feel when you have finished a piece of work?

[pmmg]

As I told pmmg I don't throw stones, I launch them out of catapults.

Pmmg is unaware of where this happened. But okay, maybe somewhere you posted it . So far, I've seen you post a lot of stuff, some of which may be true, but most of which displays a delusional and narcissistic mind to my reckoning. I have no desire to interact with you further.

And so...

 

[Josh2Write]

Pmmg is unaware of where this happened. But okay, maybe somewhere you posted it . So far, I've seen you post a lot of stuff, some of which may be true, but most of which displays a delusional and narcissistic mind to my reckoning. I have no desire to interact with you further.

And so...

Again calling me delusional, and I'm not a narcissist. I hate them, they suck and ruin everything.

Also, are you talking to yourself in the third person? Are you split personality?

 

[Mad Swede]

How can you expect to develop thick skin, armor, and shields if you're also trading bits of your soul? THAT shit is what needs to stop because it takes a toll on you body and mind, snapping at anything you find offensive, no matter how small. And if you truly believe that chipping away at yourself is the best thing, you will never succeed at anything except being miserable because everyone and everything will set you off.

I refuse to trade my soul for validation.

I wonder if you're not missing the point A. E. Lowan is trying to make.

When we write we put some of ourselves into the story. Sometimes we put a lot of ourselves into the story. We might not think that, but we do. That's why critics comments can hurt so much, and that's why some find it hard to work with editors.

This is when you must ask yourself why you are writing. Are you doing it for some form of validation, are you doing it for the challenge of trying to complete a book, is it because you enjoy writing and can't stop yourself, or is there some other reason?

And when you've answered that you have to ask yourself if you want others to read what you have written? This matters, because if your answer is yes then it's at that point that you decide to expose yourself to others. That's a big step, and you need to be able to cope with the reactions you get. From publishers, from editors, from critics and from readers. Don't ever fool yourself into thinking that everyone loves you and your stories. Some do, but...

 

[TheCrystallineEntity]

This has got me thinking, when was the last time I actually finished something story-related besides expanding on various worldbuilding? The answer is........6 years ago. I keep thinking, oh, maybe if I can focus enough, I'll actually get something done, even a short story, maybe tomorrow, maybe next week, maybe next month, and on and on. Maybe after 12 years of working on my invented universe, I don't really know what to do with it. Every chapter of the four parts of the main story are all 'locked in', I know how all the character arcs unfold, I'm happy with the magic system, and I have lore answers for most of the little fiddly bits. But I don't know where to go from here, and maybe the core problem is that once it's 'on page', it can't be changed or altered. If I make a mistake or a plot hole or an out-of-character moment, I can't fix it. Maybe being a hobby writer is the better choice for me. I don't know.
Another problem might be that every time I try to sketch the outlines of a story not set in my invented universe, it just gets absorbed into it anyway.

 

[Gurkhal]

This has got me thinking, when was the last time I actually finished something story-related besides expanding on various worldbuilding? The answer is........6 years ago. I keep thinking, oh, maybe if I can focus enough, I'll actually get something done, even a short story, maybe tomorrow, maybe next week, maybe next month, and on and on. Maybe after 12 years of working on my invented universe, I don't really know what to do with it. Every chapter of the four parts of the main story are all 'locked in', I know how all the character arcs unfold, I'm happy with the magic system, and I have lore answers for most of the little fiddly bits. But I don't know where to go from here, and maybe the core problem is that once it's 'on page', it can't be changed or altered. If I make a mistake or a plot hole or an out-of-character moment, I can't fix it. Maybe being a hobby writer is the better choice for me. I don't know.
Another problem might be that every time I try to sketch the outlines of a story not set in my invented universe, it just gets absorbed into it anyway.

I am glad I'm not the only one in this general situation.

 

[pmmg]

This has got me thinking, when was the last time I actually finished something story-related besides expanding on various worldbuilding? The answer is........6 years ago. I keep thinking, oh, maybe if I can focus enough, I'll actually get something done, even a short story, maybe tomorrow, maybe next week, maybe next month, and on and on. Maybe after 12 years of working on my invented universe, I don't really know what to do with it. Every chapter of the four parts of the main story are all 'locked in', I know how all the character arcs unfold, I'm happy with the magic system, and I have lore answers for most of the little fiddly bits. But I don't know where to go from here, and maybe the core problem is that once it's 'on page', it can't be changed or altered. If I make a mistake or a plot hole or an out-of-character moment, I can't fix it. Maybe being a hobby writer is the better choice for me. I don't know.
Another problem might be that every time I try to sketch the outlines of a story not set in my invented universe, it just gets absorbed into it anyway.

What you are missing is permission to write it ugly, and a little butt in chair. All fiddling in the world is not as good as words on page.

 

[Josh2Write]

I wonder if you're not missing the point A. E. Lowan is trying to make.

When we write we put some of ourselves into the story. Sometimes we put a lot of ourselves into the story. We might not think that, but we do. That's why critics comments can hurt so much, and that's why some find it hard to work with editors.

This is when you must ask yourself why you are writing. Are you doing it for some form of validation, are you doing it for the challenge of trying to complete a book, is it because you enjoy writing and can't stop yourself, or is there some other reason?

And when you've answered that you have to ask yourself if you want others to read what you have written? This matters, because if your answer is yes then it's at that point that you decide to expose yourself to others. That's a big step, and you need to be able to cope with the reactions you get. From publishers, from editors, from critics and from readers. Don't ever fool yourself into thinking that everyone loves you and your stories. Some do, but...

Lowen is the one who said you all freely lose pieces of your souls to succeed. I didn't miss the point, I'm just entirely opposed to that mindset. And they didn't say critics, they said readers not vibing cracks all your fragile egos, trying to sound artistic or whatever. But then turned around and try to insult me with that same concept.

I've always wanted to write, since childhood. The challenges, yes. Enjoy it, double yes. Ideas won't stop, yes. Proving to specific people who sabotaged me along the way just because the thought of me being successful in any way makes them sick (they actually told me years later) and that despite their best efforts I refuse to lay down and die creativity-wise, even if after every attempt it sometimes took me years to get back up? Yes. That's why I write. Not that any of you care, as you've clearly shown time and again.

Maybe, if you all stop taking only pieces of what I say to try and justify each other's responses you wouldn't be so bent out of shape. I DO want others to read what I've written, just not on here. Not after all this crap. If this site can't handle my comments, which literally started with me asking a simple question about a video game, how could I ever trust them with my stories? I welcome criticism for my stories (despite what any of you think), but not from here. I welcome constructive editing for my stories, but not from here.

And I never said people love my stories. Or that I'm some great writer. Or that the stories are great. Or even good. Or even how many are finished. Or which ones are scripts, novels, short stories, cartoons, anime, video games. I just said that I have them and have big dreams for them, and you all jumped in and just ran with your words. You didn't care how it sounded, just as long as I got a "reality check". Someone said something in another post and Lowen praised them for having lofty ideals. But turn around on me with pmmg and call me "delusional" and "childish" for my own hopes and dreams of success.

 

[Mad Swede]

Lowen is the one who said you all freely lose pieces of your souls to succeed. I didn't miss the point, I'm just entirely opposed to that mindset. And they didn't say critics, they said readers not vibing cracks all your fragile egos, trying to sound artistic or whatever. But then turned around and try to insult me with that same concept.

The trouble is you can't quite oppose the mindset, at least not in my experience. Part of what makes for a really original story is those personal bits you or I put into the story. Those bits of us are what makes our writing, our style, our take on a idea or concept original. And that what's makes our stories unique to us.

I've always wanted to write, since childhood. The challenges, yes. Enjoy it, double yes. Ideas won't stop, yes. Proving to specific people who sabotaged me along the way just because the thought of me being successful in any way makes them sick (they actually told me years later) and that despite their best efforts I refuse to lay down and die creativity-wise, even if after every attempt it sometimes took me years to get back up? Yes. That's why I write. Not that any of you care, as you've clearly shown time and again.

So you know why you write. That's good. Those aren't the same as my reasons for writing, but that isn't the question. That drive is what you need to keep, even when the publishers reject yet another story. But if I may, I would suggest that you lose some of that bitterness you've built up, maybe put it into some of your stories. Yes, that means putting some or maybe a lot of you in there. I did this to deal with my pain, and it has helped hugely. I'm told it gives my stories emotional depth. That depth and the way I expressed it was/is seen as original, and it was one of the things that got me my publishing contract. So use your anger and bitterness - but please don't take it out on us.

 

[TheCrystallineEntity]

When I was going through some really rough times, years where I didn't know if I'd ever be happy again, I found solace and an escape of sorts, in my writing. Even if it did mean that during the darkest parts, sometimes it felt like the universe had it in for the characters to the point of contrivance.
There's more going on, than we can ever truly know, behind the pages. What the author was feeling during the times when they wrote, their traumas and experiences and biases and viewpoints and everything that makes a person, a person. It's said [by whom is a bit of a puzzle] that you can tell a lot about a person by the contents of their refrigerator, and perhaps the same can be said for books, maybe even all forms of art.

 

[Mad Swede]

This has got me thinking, when was the last time I actually finished something story-related besides expanding on various worldbuilding? The answer is........6 years ago. I keep thinking, oh, maybe if I can focus enough, I'll actually get something done, even a short story, maybe tomorrow, maybe next week, maybe next month, and on and on. Maybe after 12 years of working on my invented universe, I don't really know what to do with it. Every chapter of the four parts of the main story are all 'locked in', I know how all the character arcs unfold, I'm happy with the magic system, and I have lore answers for most of the little fiddly bits. But I don't know where to go from here, and maybe the core problem is that once it's 'on page', it can't be changed or altered. If I make a mistake or a plot hole or an out-of-character moment, I can't fix it. Maybe being a hobby writer is the better choice for me. I don't know.
Another problem might be that every time I try to sketch the outlines of a story not set in my invented universe, it just gets absorbed into it anyway.

Maybe you just need to write. Write bits of the story, write other stories. You may find that what you thought was locked in, isn't. There have been times when I though I knew where and how a story was going, and then found that when I got to some of the main points the story drifted off somewhere else. One short story turned into a novel, and whilst that wasn't my intention I was happy with the end result.

 

[Jennifer Luke]

Normal. After obsessing, your brain sees the story as small. Joy comes from new projects; finished work belongs to readers.

 

[Josh2Write]

The trouble is you can't quite oppose the mindset, at least not in my experience. Part of what makes for a really original story is those personal bits you or I put into the story. Those bits of us are what makes our writing, our style, our take on a idea or concept original. And that what's makes our stories unique to us.

So you know why you write. That's good. Those aren't the same as my reasons for writing, but that isn't the question. That drive is what you need to keep, even when the publishers reject yet another story. But if I may, I would suggest that you lose some of that bitterness you've built up, maybe put it into some of your stories. Yes, that means putting some or maybe a lot of you in there. I did this to deal with my pain, and it has helped hugely. I'm told it gives my stories emotional depth. That depth and the way I expressed it was/is seen as original, and it was one of the things that got me my publishing contract. So use your anger and bitterness - but please don't take it out on us.

You all only read what you want, then comment accordingly. We're not talking about putting parts of yourselves in your stories, we're talking willingly chipping off parts of your souls. Those are two very different things, and the second is toxic because it kills you slowly but surely over time. What does willingly losing your soul for a small pat on the head benefit anyone? If that's what you think is necessary to succeed in the end, then that's your decision, but I will NEVER stop opposing it.

And I never said I'm only doing it to get revenge. I'm still here in spite of it. You see, no matter what I say it's twisted into some stupid f*** thing. I've been through hell but I'm still here. That is why I write, in spite of past events.

No matter what I post you guys have nothing but snide comments with little sprinkles of help (which is mostly only the copy and paste bits from every how-to on writing) so you can make sure your comments aren't seen as hostile. Even if I post on something that has nothing to with any of you, you seek it out because you're only taking out of it what you want, calling me bitter and resentful when I comment back. If I really were this way, this pathetic little troll, how am I supposed to heal and grow if I'm constantly told I'm nothing but those things? Maybe you should all take a step back from your sides too. Huh? You're all allowed to say whatever you want, no matter how it sounds, but for some reason I'm "the odd one out, the one with the problem, the one who won't see reason, the bitter, resentful, delusional child".

Bitter. Resentful. Delusional. Child. These are the words THIS community of "loving and accepting collaborating artists and writers" has chosen to label me, repeatedly, for simply using my God-given right to talk, and apparently I'm not allowed to say otherwise.
So at exactly what point in all your eyes would I stop being these things? These things you've all labeled me as?

This is BS, and I'm pretty sure it falls under some form of gaslighting. Roll your eyes all you f*** want.

 

[pmmg]

finished work belongs to readers

The simplicity of truth. It is an amazing thing to watch what commenters do with my work once published. They see things in there I am not sure I intended, and somehow make it there own beyond what I could have written. It's a strange thing to behold.

 

[TheCrystallineEntity]

Maybe you just need to write. Write bits of the story, write other stories. You may find that what you thought was locked in, isn't. There have been times when I though I knew where and how a story was going, and then found that when I got to some of the main points the story drifted off somewhere else. One short story turned into a novel, and whilst that wasn't my intention I was happy with the end result.

You're probably right. A month or so ago, I toned down the ending after realizing that I was [yet again] being too cruel to my characters.
My biggest source of frustration during writing is knowing that no matter how hard I try to make the most accurate descriptions, it'll never match up to the extra detailed vivid 'animation' going on in my head. [As glad as I am to have it, hyperphantasia can feel like a detriment sometimes.]

 

[Mad Swede]

You all only read what you want, then comment accordingly. We're not talking about putting parts of yourselves in your stories, we're talking willingly chipping off parts of your souls. Those are two very different things, and the second is toxic because it kills you slowly but surely over time. What does willingly losing your soul for a small pat on the head benefit anyone? If that's what you think is necessary to succeed in the end, then that's your decision, but I will NEVER stop opposing it.

Maybe we're talking about the same thing but using different words.

Whenever I put some of me into a story I expose that part of me to the readers. You can say that this is me chipping bits off my soul if you like. The thing is, that is what makes my stories unique to me. That part of me, putting my spin on the characters and their actions, the world in which those characters live, all of it. But at the same time it makes me vulnerable, because I have exposed part of myself to others and there are some out there who would use it against me if they could. It's a choice only you can make, and if you don't put a part of yourself into your stories you have to find other ways of making your stories unique to you.

So as one writer to another, tell me Josh2Write, how do you make your stories unique to you?

 

[Toob Waysider]

Actually finishing a project has always been my bugaboo. But for the last five months, I wrote a roman a clef fantasy novel using various members of a music group in an epic adventure to be my offering in the silent auction for the band's annual all-day charity concert. Barely made the deadline to get it printed and bound! Since the auction last Saturday, I'm only now seeing the mistakes I missed during proof. But even so, I finished it! And as more than just a file on a flash drive tucked away in my desk.

As for the auction, putting aside the high-ticket items donated by corporations (resort trips, fancy restaurants, service by a famous chef etc.), of the items created by other volunteers, the book brought in the highest bid. We don't have final figures yet (we're hoping to beat last year's total of $151,000.00), but I can take the credit for getting somebody to donate $337.00 dollars to the cause. So I'm pretty hyped about that.

 

[wyrderherder]

Quite often, after many false dawns and self-deceptions, I realise that a piece of writing is finished. I tend to have a day of relief and disbelief followed by a weirdly distorting experience that I can describe thus:

I feel as if I had been trapped inside the story (less often a poem) for the whole of its invention, but when the story is finished I feel a bit like Alice and that the story has shrunk and I am now looking down on it. The story then loses all of its appeal for me and when I read it through, some weeks later, it is as if someone else had written it. I never feel any joy after finishing a piece of writing. I never feel like celebrating. I did feel some celebration recently when I realised that I had written a novel, but that is about form and not about the story itself.

It is only when I have started a new project that I lose this contempt for the last piece and eventually I see the previous story as belonging to readers who are not me. Then I let go of that work. In other arts, such as acting, actors bathe in the glory of having done something well. Apparently Johnny Depp never watches his own movies, and so he might be an exception. I wonder, in the case of my writing whether it is the endless editing that pummels me until I have no hope left of the story ever finishing. When it does finish, maybe I am too exhausted to care.

Now I have only completed my first novel, not having written much else (except starting a new one). Upon completing the first draft I felt a little sad - this vision I had worked on for 6 months had traveled through my system daily, pouring itself onto the proverbial page. I had never felt anything quite like that creatively before - like I was a hollow bone. Then came the editing! Lol. I must admit it's a much better production now. Sometimes I look at it and can't believe I wrote it. Other times, of course, I wonder if it's good enough and if it will ever get published. (I've just begun the querying process, so I guess I'll see...)
BTW- someone here said their agent told them fantasy was so passe? I believe there are agents out there looking for it. Keep the faith.

 

[Demesnedenoir]

"Whew! Hot damn! Now what?" But, I never "realize I'm finished" because I know the approximate ending from the start.

Lots of actors don't watch their movies, or at least claim not to. I love my own writing, not something I could've said when I was younger, and I read and reread as necessary since the books are part of a greater world story.

Quite often, after many false dawns and self-deceptions, I realise that a piece of writing is finished. I tend to have a day of relief and disbelief followed by a weirdly distorting experience that I can describe thus:

I feel as if I had been trapped inside the story (less often a poem) for the whole of its invention, but when the story is finished I feel a bit like Alice and that the story has shrunk and I am now looking down on it. The story then loses all of its appeal for me and when I read it through, some weeks later, it is as if someone else had written it. I never feel any joy after finishing a piece of writing. I never feel like celebrating. I did feel some celebration recently when I realised that I had written a novel, but that is about form and not about the story itself.

It is only when I have started a new project that I lose this contempt for the last piece and eventually I see the previous story as belonging to readers who are not me. Then I let go of that work. In other arts, such as acting, actors bathe in the glory of having done something well. Apparently Johnny Depp never watches his own movies, and so he might be an exception. I wonder, in the case of my writing whether it is the endless editing that pummels me until I have no hope left of the story ever finishing. When it does finish, maybe I am too exhausted to care.

 

[pmmg]

Lots of actors don't watch their movies, or at least claim not to. I love my own writing, not something I could've said when I was younger, and I read and reread as necessary since the books are part of a greater world story.

All I do is read my own writing, cause editing never ends.

 

[K.Hudson]

I have a feeling I'll have a mixture of excitement and dread.
I'm probably going to be full of Bluey references btw. It kinda comes with the territory of being a toddler mum.
But I can't stop thinking about that line from the Bluey episode, 'Stickbird':

when you put something beautiful out into the world, it's no longer yours really.