Considering Chewing The Keyboard In Frustration

[mmerriam]

I need to get better at this writing thing.

I'm frustrated because I know the stories I'm writing can be better but, try as I might, I cannot seem make the jump. I have yet to develop the skill set to make them better.

Aaarrrggghhhhh!!!

I know the only thing to be done is to forge ahead. I know the only way to push past this is to continue writing and to read and study works by writers who are doing it right.

I have felt this way before (about this time last year) and it's Just. So. Very. Frustrating!

The stories I've been making small press sales with are all stories that came out of that last stretch of difficult writing, so I'm hopeful that things are about to improve.

I know intellectually the stories I'm writing right now are better than the ones I wrote a year ago and I know part of the problem is that I'm trying to build on what I've learned and I'm trying new things. Because of that, sometimes my writing sounds (to me, at least) less like prose and more like fingernails on a chalkboard!

I know that my stories should be better. I know they can be better. I know eventually I'll be able to write better. I know it's just growing pains.

But OH MY GODS IT'S LIKE PULLING TEETH right now.

Pant, pant, pant, grump, grump, grump

Okay, back to work.

In Peace
Michael

Comments

[iagor.livejournal.com]

:pat, pat: And it doesn;t get better. That is the writing will improve, but the feeling of argh does not go away

[mmerriam.livejournal.com]

I suspect that if the feeling of argh ever does go away it is time to hang it up, because if you're not going argh and scratching and fighting and pushing to be a better writer, then you are not growing anymore.

But still, argh!

[iagor.livejournal.com]

ARGH!

[queenoftheskies.livejournal.com]

I think that every time we improve and hit another plateau in our writing, we discover that there are so many more ahead that are still waiting for us.

Because we have to hone certain skills before we're ready for the next set.

I don't think that will every go away. I don't think it should go away or that we should ever become complacent with our work.

However, I understand the frustration that you're feeling and sympathize with it LOTS. I find myself in that situation OFTEN.

That's why I chant the mantra EVERYTHING CAN BE FIXED LATER and continue plowing ahead, writing as much as I can. I feel that only in writing and learning and continuing to grow can we make it as writers.

I read your two stories up at OWW, by the way, and I hope to get some comments written up to post by this weekend.

Writing is such hard work. But, if it wasn't hard, would we find it as exhilerating and filled with joy?

You're doing GREAT!

[mmerriam.livejournal.com]

I think you are right, the feeling will probably never go away. The only real thing to do is continue working and trying to improve!

I look forward to reading your comments on the OWW stories. I'm already begining to get an idea of what I need to do to tighten them up, so more feedback is good!

[cristalia.livejournal.com]

We call this a plateau in the chatroom -- it's when your skill set gets to the point where you can see the problems with your old stuff, but not how to fix them yet.

It is the most frustrating thing on earth.

Keep pushing. It'll go away soon.

[mmerriam.livejournal.com]

I makes me want to wail and pull my hair, but yeah, all you can do is keep pushing.

[anghara.livejournal.com]

It's ALWAYS like pulling teeth.

Except when it's not.

Writing ain't an easy game, but omigod, it is SO worth the effort. There are times *I* whimper and wail and howl and mutter, but I wouldn't do anything else with my life, not now I've tasted this.

So - keep your oar in there. Sometimes the things that are born with the most trouble and pain are the most beautiful of all.

[mmerriam.livejournal.com]

And that's the thing: now that I've made a few sales and been working at writing for the last few years, I can't imagine NOT writing. I just can't. I get antsy and twitchy when I'm not writing.

If someone ever gives me attitude about writing not being real work, I'm going to beat them over the head with a haddock.

There's nothing for it but to carry on! :-)

[allochthon.livejournal.com]

{{hugs}}

::carefully removes all sharp and grabby objects from mmerriam's reach::

[mmerriam.livejournal.com]

might want to move the breakables also...

[navicat.livejournal.com]

*hugs* *pats*

Well, all we can do is keep going, right?

[mmerriam.livejournal.com]

Right!

[congofriend.livejournal.com]

If its any consolation, I thought that your flash fiction piece that began and ended with "into the fire we will go" was one of the best that I ever read on the workshop. It was filled with the sort of subtle nuances that it takes years to learn how to write, and I absolutely loved it. As I did "Old Blood's Fate." You have great gifts, Michael. Don't beat yourself up too badly!

[mmerriam.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I'll try not to beat up on myself so much.