Well-Meaning (But WRONG) Friends And Family

You know what I hate? When well meaning friends tell me what I should do with my life, I mean my writing. I absolutely can't stand it when them or even people I don't know try to tell me how I should write, how long it should take me...or even WHAT I should write. Writing is a big part of who I am. I really am not thrilled when people try to define what it should be to me.

Have you ever experienced something like this? I know, I haven't gone into any detail at all. But if I do...I think it will only make the situation worse. Anyways, if this has happened...what do you do? Ignore them, tell them exactly how you feel, pretend you agree...what?

I'd love some advice if anyone has any. Man, I'm not even published and the life of a writer is already difficult at times. I just wish people understood what I am trying to do. But the fact is they don't. And chances are if you are a writer most people won't understand you either.

I know, this is such an uplifting post. Yeah. Right. Well, have a good day. I'm going to try to get through mine without freaking out.

Update of sorts...and a question

I'm trying to ignore the urge to tear into my first draft already. I've given myself a minimum of a week to let it cool down. In order to follow this I've started planning my next project. I already know I'm going to have lots of fun with this one. I'm working through Lesson 7 of HTTS (How To Think Sideways) right now, hoping I won't mess up on the worldbuilding this time around. I've found that is my weak spot. I just can't seem to get my world to come alive. Hopefully during revision this is something I can fix.

When you start a new project while letting first drafts rest...do you ever feel like you seriously screwed up? Should have done so many things differently? I keep having those thoughts, and it is starting to effect the fun I was having coming up with this new idea. Trying to tell myself that this is a learning experience, my writing will only get better...hasn't helped much. I keep obsessing about the MS that needs to be fixed. Or, worse yet, fantasizing about destroying it. That's how much I dislike it right now. The beginning was amazing and something I probably won't change much of. I start hitting walls in the middle. And I know I've got nothing but fog at the end.

Okay, enough complaining about my project. Something cool has certainly come out of this as well. I've made it to the end of a rough draft! And it has been a LONG time since that has happened. At least I can be proud of that. Maybe I'm not too thrilled with certain aspects of my book, but I am proud I stuck through it and actually made it to the end. I was so happy I cheated on my diet and ate pizza! Which was bad for my diet but tasted oh so good!

Which brings me to a question. How many of you celebrate finishing a rough draft, or edits, or sending out query letters? Or say you don't write but have another hobby...what do you do to celebrate reaching the end of a creative project, if anything at all? This is the first time I have rewarded myself. I think I might start doing it more often.

Well, must get back to my new project. And if you're interested in what I'm writing...its a YA novel focused on some tough issues. If I had to pick an  audience for it I'd say in the 14-18ish range. The name of the new book is HAVEN. As for the one waiting for revision...I'm trying to come up with a better name.

Day 8: Still ahead but feel behind, plus I hate what I am writing.

Okay, here's the thing. I'll be the first writer to admit that I've got a serious problem with not listening to my Inner Editor. I always feel like what I have written is crap. Or think its not worth trying to fix things because it will still suck anyway. I know this can be a normal reaction, but its hard to remember sometimes. Usually I just think I'm not nearly as good as everyone else and I've got not right to be writing. What have I got to say that is so important?

Yeah, I warned you. I wasn't in a good mood today. I KNOW that the first draft is allowed to be crappy. But how crappy? When do you say enough is enough, this sucks, lets try again? I want to spend time with these characters...I just don't feel like my writing is good enough for their stories. I know the only thing I can do is keep writing, keep improving. But MAN that is HARD sometimes.

Seriously, as a child I never thought that writing could be so hard. I was oblivious. Or maybe I was smart then. I wrote for me. That was it. If it wasn't fun to write I didn't do it. And I didn't listen to other people. I stuck with what interested me.

A great writer once said that a first draft is for your eyes only, and that you are writing that for yourself. You revise with the reader in mind. That is, if you want to publish. I need to keep this in mind. That all this crappy writing is okay, as long as I love my story. I just have to focus on getting it down.

Anyone else getting the writer blues? Have any tips to combat against it?