Fic Talk > General Discussion
Questions to ponder part 11
mare:
Now that the year is coming to an end (Thank the lord Jesus) What are some things you learned about yourself this year that you maybe didn't realize before? Obviously this doesn't have to be totally fanfic writing or reading related but maybe try to include at least one fanfic related thing if you can.
RokofAges75:
I have learned not to take myself so seriously as a writer... or maybe not to take my subject matter so seriously. Looking back at everything I wrote this year, the majority of it was written as a joke, for a challenge or April Fool's Day or just my own amusement. Besides the updates I posted on stories I started prior to 2013 (Guilty Roads, Song for the Undead, Footprints), just about everything else I posted this year was a joke. The jury's still out on how serious the slash story was supposed to be, but everything else was just silly. And that's okay. I'm known for writing novels about serious stuff, so it was kind of nice to take a break from those and write some funny short stories.
The downside to not being as serious about writing is that I was much less disciplined this year than I have been in the past. Believe it or not, there was a time when I not only wrote every day, but updated every day. I was really bad about that this year. I had a hard time staying focused on one story (or any story) this year. I've spent all year jumping around from project to project and haven't finished anything except short stories (though I did write more of those this year than I usually do). I learned that TV is my kryptonite (as I sit here on Day 3 of the Breaking Bad marathon), and I just haven't been able to muster up the mental energy to turn off the TV and write more than a few sentences at a time.
I have also learned that there are no longer any lines I won't cross in terms of content. I've discovered that if it's interesting and serves my storyline, I'll do it.
Sakabelle:
What's your current status as far as fanfic goes? Are you reading anything? Writing anything? Thinking about writing anything? Just post an update!
Um... very slow moving? LOL. I didn't turn my computer on for nearly a month. I was writing a Christmas story but I only made it about three scenes in before I got too busy and never finished it. I just finished posting a 1D story I had written over the summer, and I have another one I could get around to posting that I wrote in October, but I'm lazy to go back and edit. As usual I am stuck on all of my BSB stories and haven't had any inspiration to continue writing on any of them.
I have an idea for an original novel that has been floating around in my brain that I'd really like to write but I've been thinking about it for so long that I've almost hyped it up in my head to be better than it could ever be so I haven't even started that yet. I'd really like to though, if I had time.
As far as reading goes, I was reading Pengi's Christmas story but I fell behind on it due to being very busy and haven't caught up yet.
As far as what I learned about myself this year? That's difficult because as far as self-improvement goes I didn't do awesomely at that this year. I guess when it comes to fan fic I really just accepted that I write when inspiration comes and I don't have a lot of discipline to finish something I told myself I would. Part of my issue is getting distracted when I get very busy at work and have to work a few evenings, I lose my momentum on a project and I have a very hard time picking it up again.
I've also really wanted to try writing something original like I mentioned above. I think I've found kind of a safety net in fan fic and writing something totally new where the characters are all new and the audience for it isn't built in is frightening! Also the lack of writing workshops or classes in my city is kind of annoying.
emilo:
Well, I had a nice, long reply typed out yesterday and clicked "post" right about the time the server went down, I think. To recap, when it comes to fanfic, I'm a slacker at the moment. I know I have people waiting on me to update a couple stories, and I've been thinking about those stories, but lately, when I have free time, I'm spending it just trying not to lose my lunch (the first trimester is so lovely--NOT), and for whatever reason, writing doesn't factor into that equation right now. I was reading one story on the most recent page, but it's finished now. There are a few I'm sort of following but even when updates are posted, I'm not too eager to read right now. Honestly (and this is going to sound really selfish), I'm not too excited about the fandom right now because I know it will be at least a year before I'm able to see the guys in any capacity if the opportunity even arises (and maybe even longer than that). I've set myself a soft headline of getting a couple stories done before the reading challenge this summer. I thought that was really fun! We'll see if I actually get there. I have a feeling that if this pregnancy is anything like the last one, I'll end up with some time where I really don't have anything else to do but write (though I would NEVER actually wish for bed rest--here's hoping that does NOT happen this time!).
As far as what I've learned about myself as a writer, I guess maybe I can write some stuff worth reading when I'm on my "A game." I've been really surprised at the response I've gotten with my writing on this site. I'm also happy to have gained a little circle of ladies I can call my friends on here!
mare:
I just realized I never answered my own question.
I learned a lot about myself this year, mostly personal stuff that has absolutely nothing to do with fanfic, but something I did realize this past year is if I don't keep myself to a schedule, I start to lose my mojo. While writing "Hope" I had myself on a strict writing schedule. Every morning I wrote, it was the very first thing I did and even when school started I made sure I did that on the weekend. I also stayed a few chapters ahead of myself the entire time which made me feel less stressed out about not updating regularly. That's another thing I really noticed, how mad I get at myself if I miss an update.
Same with reading. I found if I had a routine, I was a much better reader. I always read in the morning, right after taking a break from writing. And then again, once school started I did the same on the weekends.
I am a creature of habit. lol But that much I already knew.
Something that did surprise me which I am trying to change in all aspects of my life, is how negative I have become. Makes sense when you go through a few years of hell, but I noticed how it effected the way I looked at even my writing. Instead of focusing on all the good things people were saying, I found myself dwelling on people who weren't reviewing, or stopped reading or people who normally read my stuff but skipped this one.
Baby steps lol
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
[*] Previous page
Go to full version