changeyourstars8: (Stace by Norma Peters)
changeyourstars8 ([personal profile] changeyourstars8) wrote2009-01-04 12:11 pm
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Question for My Fellow Writers. . .

Okay, so I'm currently in limbo.

Not writing-wise; that's going great. I've got several projects going, both solo and with my cowriter. Getting that writing off the ground, though . . . a bit more problematic.

I submit things to agents and publishers, never gotten anything back other than "Thanks, but not what we're looking for". I go about 60/40 between "sooner or later you'll find the right place; just keep trying" and "why bother? You know what the answer'll be".

I've found out over the years that I work best when I don't work alone. Not necessarily writing with someone else (though that's my favorite way) but at least with someone reading along as I write, for batting character backgrounds around and letting me know that they either like a new development or hate it or want to know exactly how stoned I was when I came up with that idea. It's more fun that way, but I also know it's because I basically don't trust my own judgment. :-P And I'm working on that, but while I'm working on it I've let more than one thing fall by the wayside because with only myself to 'discuss' it with, I lose interest. Also, there's the problem of the Annoying Little Voice gleefully chattering on about how project of choice is just a waste of time, anyway, because if it wasn't then it would've gotten some feedback by now. However much I logically know it's wrong, that doesn't always help.

Obvious answer? Internet. Which is where my second problem comes into play: when I first started posting some writing several years back, someone decided to steal it and claim it as their own. Again, working through the paranoia. I know a lot of people who write amazing fanfiction, but I'd rather have something fully mine. Work up a project with the sole intent of putting it up on my site?

I don't know. This is less of a question and more of a Random Babblings of an Insecure Writer. ;-)

[identity profile] finniscs.livejournal.com 2009-01-04 07:18 pm (UTC)(link)
How many times have you sent out? I think unless its 'hundreds' you/we/me cant really get an idea of whether we should keep doing it or not. It sucks that it takes so much time to send out.

I know Im part of your problem. Im so sorry that we're on different levels of 'desire to write' for these past few months. Its gotta be really frustrating for you. I keep wishing I could get on fire for it again but I realized I have to get myself well before I can even think about writing that way again. I think maybe it will be getting better. I sure hope so.

I dont think you should be afraid of writing fan fiction/posting yours stuff out there. someone can steal it where ever it is, even on your site. what about a lj writing project for you, like we did with mirror?

feedback is good-- it will help you be a better writer-- as well as boost morale. for that you could get involved in some internet critique groups.

I know I need to get excited about things again. I get excited when we're actually writing but inbetween I have no motivation. its not just for writing, its for everything. bleh. its got to get better at some point.

you are a good writer and you need to keep writing and you need to post and send out. A. Lot. its a lot of work. its time consuming. but until youve got hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of rejections, its still worth doing.

[identity profile] allthelivesofme.livejournal.com 2009-01-04 08:05 pm (UTC)(link)
I've lost track of how many times I've sent out. I know I've been doing it since I was about eighteen. So . . . eight years?

I know part of it is just the fact that with Kaylee still being so little, I've got a lot less time, so the idea of sending stuff to agents and publishers seems a lot more daunting than it does normally. That doesn't help. LOL

And you're not part of the problem-- you've got some stuff that you need to work through and that's not your fault. :-)

I dont think you should be afraid of writing fan fiction/posting yours stuff out there.

k! I think I'm going to take one of my finished projects and post it chapter-by-chapter ((see my email to you)). *G* We'll see what happens!

[identity profile] finniscs.livejournal.com 2009-01-05 12:28 am (UTC)(link)
we will indeed see.

:-)

and I cant believe the writing I got done when I had three little ones AND the daycare kids running around. tho most of it was done way late at night.

was I crazy or what?

maybe thats why my memory is so fried now. I used it all up with a gazillion storylines at once!

[identity profile] allthelivesofme.livejournal.com 2009-01-05 02:09 am (UTC)(link)
LOL

And way late at night, huh? *debates about how much sleep I actually need* ;-)