I've been doing some more thinking about my creative processes; this has all been spurned on by my attempts to come up with a submission to Machine of Death Volume 2. Basically, at what point do you stop kidding yourself and stop trying to be a creative fiction writer?
I have the work ethic to maintain a decent blog, and occasional guest posts on another, but that seems to be the extent of the writing that comes relatively effortlessly. I am usually pleased with the outcome of my "articles", but often I find myself questioning my writing when it comes to fiction. I know this is "normal", but I find it hard to come up with original ideas and actually see them through to the end.
So, do I tell myself, "stick to what you can actually do" and stop trying to write fiction? No, I don't think so. I'm stubborn. What I SHOULD do is go back to the basics. Stop trying to write anything complicated and just write. You know, this post is actually sounding a lot like one I just wrote a few weeks ago.
But sometimes I need to express these thoughts over and over so that they sink in. I still plan on putting together a submission for Machine of Death 2, but it's going to be something simple and manageable. I will be disappointed if it doesn't make the cut for published stories (there are already AT LEAST 30 submissions after all), but I will nevertheless hope for the best.
Wish me luck! Oh, and if you're a writer reading this: submit something to MOD2. I'm really looking forward to what everyone comes up with for round 2.
Good luck, Steve! I look forward to reading/hearing about your submission!
ReplyDeleteYou know, I read an article on Ferretbrain that made the point: nobody thinks someone who, say, likes to play soccer or play the piano is a "failure" because they don't go pro or give concerts, but for some reason people feel like the only reason one should write is with the goal of being published or read. Their response was: why? If writing is fun, screw the rest of it :)
Thanks Sarah! By the way, what is Ferretbrain? Never heard of it!
ReplyDeleteIt's an online zine that I found because it has rather caustic but smart essays on Harry Potter by one of their reviewers, Dan Hemmens (I believe one of his articles is titled, "What the F***ing F***ing F***, J. K. Rowling?") :)
ReplyDeleteOh, I see. I checked out some of his articles, I liked his review of HBP. By the way, I forgot to mention in this post - May is short story month, apparently! I have some motivation to get crackin' on writing.
ReplyDeleteOkay this week I need to buckle down and write. I wonder though, will I feel like doing anything productive after biking 30km tomorrow?
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