1 Aug 2016

About the fears of writing


So, I've been writing on and off for about nine years now and I would like to say that I have everything under control and I know precisely what I'm doing, but it's the complete opposite. I would think that after so many years of writing and sharing my stories, my fear of sharing the novel idea would disappear but again, it's the complete opposite. About six years ago, I was diagnosed with the writing blok and that's when my fear got really strong because I wasn't able to finish any story. And I mean NO story at all. I had a lot of good ideas, I wanted to write, but when it came to actually writing it, I got bored throughout the sixth chapter and gave up. 

I feel like my writing became quite the fearfull little animal you want to cuddle and take care of but it's really easy to get scared and run away. I feel like I need to be careful of my writing and not show my novel idea to everybody because what if I don't finish again? Maybe there's someone out there in the same position and this might help him not feel that bad. So let's examine my fears. 

WHAT IF I DON'T FINISH IT... AGAIN? 


This fear is my favourite because it follows me for a while now and it might not effect anybody else but it's basically the fear of not finishing your story. For me, who has history of not finishing stories, it's quite normal to be afraid that this novel idea that I'm writing may end up in a bin after a couple of chapters. That's why I don't like to talk about my wiriting a lot because than people will get bored and will say: 
They: "Well, what's with that idea about princess? How's it going?" 
Me: "You know, awesome, the characters are developing, the story is gripping..."
They: "So you didn't finish it?"
Me: *hides in the corner* "No, not really."

SO, WHAT'S THE STORY ABOUT? 

Are you as jumpy as me when you hear this question? Honestly, I admire people who can answer this without the swear running down their forehead or without running off. Oh, you're just like me and get anxious when someone asks you about the story you're writing? Well, than welcome to the club! 
I usually end up screaming nouns at the person and than it looks like this: 
They:  So what are you writing about about?
Me: Princess! Magic! Rebel! Evil Guy! *runs off* 

But seriously, summing up your novel in one neat sentence is sooooo hard. Especially when you have no idea what the story is about. I don't know it. I'm just trying to follow the lead and hope it will get me somewhere. Why can't people understand it? 

WRITING... URGH WEIRDO

Yeah, so this happened to me. Apparently you can't impress a guy when you say you're a writer... at least not in Slovakia. Most people will look at you like you've grown another head or something... or they'll ask you why you're wasting your time. That's why I don't tell people about my writing sessions because I'm used to their weird loooks and laughs when really it's just sad because if only they know how awesome it feel to create a new world, they'd be doing it too. 
And this happens also when someone finds out about my blog. In that case I pretend I'm not there... or that they don't talk about me but someone else who passionately blogs about books and writing. 

WHAT IF I'M JUST WASTING TIME? 

I don't know about you, but sometimes when I'm in the middle of the writing session I tend to get writing crisis when I doubt everything I do. 
What if writing is just a waste of time?
Why do I do this? 
Is this some kind of twisted way of running from reality? 
Am I writing because I don't want to grow up?
OMG GROWING UP! 
What if I won't find a decent job?
I'm a mess. 
I need help. 
Thanks a lot novel. 
Yeah, one thought and I'm falling down the spiral of life crisis thoughts about my future and my inner problems because apprently it's all connected. 


WHAT IF MY NOVEL SUCKS?

Sometimes I hate reading books because they remind me of how much I suck at writing. They remind me of succesfull writers who published their novels and I'm not even able to finish the first draft. And if that is horrible. 
Okay, I know, every first draft is horrible, but still. 
What if my novel is terrible? 
What if no one will like my characters? That is if I finish it. 
What if...
It's easy to get tangled up in all those worries about your novel not being as good as someone else's but it's important to be positive. Even though it's easier said than done. The truth is, we, as writers, are often too harsh on ourselves and on our novels when in reality it isn't that bad. 
This fear is only natural because you're putting yourself out there for everyone to see. Your giving them piece of yourself and they will either like it or not. Just be aware that we cannot make everybody happy. We're all different. 

Those were my fears of writing, what are yours? Let me know in the comments. Also, did you find yourself in some of these? What do you do when someone asks you what's your story about? Do you doubt your writing? 


10 comments :

  1. WRITING IS JUST PLAIN SCARY.

    Oh my goodness, I HATE being asked what my novel is about. I absolutely hate it. I never know how to explain, and then I just look crazy.

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    1. Ok, so I'm not alone in this!!! Yay! But you're right. Writing is scary hobby but it's so awesome. :D

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  2. I literally relate to all of these! My biggest one is definitely not finishing though. I've been writing for years too and have never yet finished a novel. I always seem to hit a block and then decide it's too hard, or that I hate everything I've written so far and go off chasing after the next shiny new idea...until I decide that's terrible and I don't like it anymore too!

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    1. OMG you just described me! :O I've been fighting for two years now and I'm determined to finish this story even though I have new ideas. We can do it, I believe in us! :)

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  3. TRUE. ALL TRUE. I finish a lot of things but then move on to the next project without editing for aaaaages. But despite all of that I'll never stop writing. I also totally get the fear of describing your book - if it's high-concept (like a murder mystery Twelve Dancing Princesses) it's easy to describe, but if it's a contemporary book, not so easy!

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    1. Yeah, it's hard to actually stop writing. Oh, that's interesting because I've always had less problems describing contemporary than for example fantasy stories. :)

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  4. I can definitely relate to this, I actually don't write much at all anymore, sadly. I used to write like crazy in high school but college totally killed my creativity and I can't think of ideas anymore for the life of me. "Honestly, I admire people who can answer this without the swear running down their forehead or without running off." YES. I find it SO uncomfortable when people ask this.

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    1. I totally get you. At high school I was writing almost everyday and since I'm in college, it's going down with my writing. :(
      IKR!!! Especially when you're writing the first draft and even you don't know what the story will be really about. It's so uncomfortable.
      Thanks for stopping by! :)

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  5. I can totally relate to the first fear! I started SO many books, and just never finished them. I got to a point where I started to believe that I would never actually finish a book that I started. But then, quite a few years after I started writing, I finally finished my first book. And then my second one directly after that. I think it means you are waiting for the right story. The one that keeps you excited the entire time that you are writing it. I think that is what happened with me - the unfinished stories weren't the right ones.

    BAH at people who do not understand how wonderful writing and blogging are. Ignore those people!

    Good luck with your writing :D I hope you tackle some of these fears!

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    1. I definitely agree with you. My first series was one that I felt passionate about and I was excited every time I sat down writing it and it was the only series I actually finished so I guess I'm trying to find another one like that. It's hard to just keep looking for it. :)

      Thank you, and thank you for stopping by! :)

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