(Sort of cheating my first month I wrote this yesterday, but next time original post.)
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As I am getting steady work done on my two WiPs I find myself missing my FANTASY world. Yes it needs to be in all caps, lol.
I was fifteen when I started dreaming up my own world to write in. Several horrible stories followed, but hey we all start somewhere right? Around eighteen I got really serious about it and since then have compiled a massive amount of notes and drawings and half written stories.
This got me thinking about why I have not been able to finish the story I want to represent this world to readers. I have always wanted to get it just right, to the point that I shoot something down before it ever becomes anything real.
Sometimes an idea can become too sacred for a writer. I don't think there is anything wrong with having a story you know you aren't skilled enough yet to write. In fact knowing that says a lot about a writer. The other side of that is having an idea for a story that you have invested so much in, the thought of failure keeps it locked up tight in a chest with no key holes.
I think as writers it is hard to get off the floor with somethings because that nagging doubt that plagues us all is deep in our ear saying, "This one has to be just right or you will destroy your best idea." It is funny that I had to switch genres to be able to be happy with a book enough to get it out. I think as I grow as a writer I am finding more and more that the only way to find out if a story is good enough is to finish it.
I think that we have to sometimes walk to rope without a net or else we can never truly put our self in the place we need to be great.
“If you spend too much time thinking about a thing, you'll never get it done.”
― Bruce Lee
“Don't fear failure. — Not failure, but low aim, is the crime. In great attempts it is glorious even to fail.” ― Bruce Lee
(Yes I quoted Bruce Lee, no I won't apologize, lol.)
Anyway, is there a story or set of stories that have become so dear to you, you fear writing them? As always have fun and keep writing.
The fear that I'm not writing things 'good enough' seems to constantly sit on my shoulder. There is one story I'm looking forward to writing someday, but I know I'm not ready to tackle it yet. But that's less due to the fear of lacking the skill, and more that I think the idea needs more time to mature in my head.
ReplyDeleteIt is always a struggle to know when something is ready. Good luck with getting it there.
DeleteAh, nothing ventured, nothing gained, eh?
ReplyDeleteI feel ya on this. But for me it's more so with the specifics of the world I've made... In other words, I've been world building for a long time but only writing stories for a couple of years. My stories didn't have time to marinate in my subconscious and rise to some unobtainable level. For me, if the story is good, good. If not, I'll try again. It's the details of magic, history and religion in the world that I have a hard time nailing down. The A to Z challenge has helped me solidify some details that until now had been flapping in the breeze.
Oh, and never apologize for quoting Bruce Lee! :)
Yeah I know what you mean, I think that is my problem as well. Look at someone like Patrick Rothfuss who had almost the entire series finished like nine years ago, but has done so many revisions on it that is is like a fine aged wine by the time he puts it out.
DeleteOh and I won't. lol
First, great quotes by Bruce Lee, no apologies necessary!
ReplyDeleteSecond, LOVE the new drawing. I feel for the lil guy and his HUGE backpack and even bigger sword than Mr. Romantic up there. I'm torn if he is burning him up or if he is taking care of the Zombie two drawings down ;)
And finally, fear of failure you say? us writers?... never.... ha! There is fear holding us back at any moment, sure. But you said it clearly, it does say something for those who wait on a certain story in order to get it just right. Telling the difference between the two is the challenge.
A sacred story with a whole new world to build is petrifying. The fact that anyone holds on to an idea for so long waiting to perfect it takes guts too. The moment it all clicks and comes together will be rewarding. I know the feeling too, I'm sure most of us do. Practicing a bit before pulling the net from under us is a good thing... but eventually, yes, you are right, we just have to do it.
I think that is the most important part, being able to tell if you are just waiting to be able or if it is fear.
DeleteYeah, poor Axie, it is one of the two. Although if I was doing all the heavy lifting I might have a slight amount of animosity for the carefree guy walking in front of me.
There's a story I've been mulling around in my mind for a couple of years. I've tried to write it several times, but they were false starts. Finally, a couple of months ago I figured out how to write it and I started. It's not great--but a first draft is a celebration of how much can go wrong on a page. :)
ReplyDeleteHey at lest you got it started. I hope I will be able to go back to it soon.
DeleteSometimes it takes a few stories in between before you can come back to that first one and finish it properly.
ReplyDeleteAnd this would've been a great topic for the IWSG post tomorrow.
This is true, every finished story is growth for a writer.
DeleteYeah I got to look into that.
Is it cheating to stick the IWSG badge on this post, if so I can come up with another post for tomorrow.
DeleteTotally understand where you're coming from. That fear of not having everything 'just right' has also contributed, in small part, to still not finishing my NaNo project from two years ago.
ReplyDeleteI guess more work and, definitely, more time will help with that? I hope...
I hope as well, at a certain point something has to shake loose, lol.
DeleteNice inspirational post. I do have a WIP that I had to set aside because it needs much more research than I have time to put into it. So, for now it's third or forth in line. :) But I need to get in gear to write more on the projects I have it in me to complete now!
ReplyDeleteYeah that really is the key, if you can write the one you love write the one you're with.
DeleteOh dear, this is what I've been doing for some time now. I overthink new ideas until they lose their luster and then I throw them out. I need to listen to Bruce! :-)
ReplyDeleteYes the wise Bruce knew all.
DeleteI've never thought of it this way, but it's so true. I do have that one idea. It's a full-blown space opera sci-fi, and so far I've just been dabbling in mild sci-fi stories. But you're right, it's not gonna happen if I don't write it. Great post.
ReplyDeleteTY, and yeah it is a hard step, but a needed one.
DeleteI've had this massive fantasy world for YEARS and am just this month getting serious about doing a story set in one section of that world. (It's a world with a Pangaia continent divided into five sections by Voids. Each section was settled by Earth people from different time periods and cultures. My current story is set in the section of the world where the cowboys live. And the were-tigers.)
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't use the word sacred but there are characters who have been with me a long time and I'm afraid I can't do justice for their stories so I do a little self-sabotage. I'm in the weeds with that right now. And I know I have a tough time ending a story because I don't want to leave the safety of that world I've created for my characters. It's far far easier to stare at a wip than it is to push myself to the next step which is, well, where the world sees it. And that's what scares me.
ReplyDeleteRiann Colton
You're right that is the hardest part, because up to that point you have idea what other's might think. Still to be a writer means to put yourself out there, good luck with you work.
DeleteThose are awesome quotes by Bruce Lee!
ReplyDeleteI have a scifi novel in my closet (literally, in a plastic box in my closet) with several attempts and revision and variations on the plot. I decided that I had to top rewriting it over and over again and take a break from it about five years ago.
I'm almost ready to pull it out again, and I find myself thinking about the characters, and the plot, but I want it to be "awesome" and not just ok . . .so I know what you mean by the holding something up in some kind of "sacred" way instead of just finishing it. I can finish fantasy stories, but I'm afraid that my space opera style scifi won't be techie enough.
However, once I finish my current trilogy and a couple of other shorter projects, I plan to revisit that novel, and make it work, or just find a finish point.
Yeah it is funny how some stories just come out easier. For me it just goes back to that doubt and fear, but we got to push past it. Taking a break and coming back is often the smartest choice.
DeleteHi Brandon thanks for stopping by my blog and the follow. I definitely think you should look at each piece of writing as a learning curve. As writers we should always be learning and evolving.
ReplyDeleteNP, this is very true.
DeleteWhat Bruce Lee the kewlest guy. Bet he didn't have insecurities. Brandon, you and me are on the same page. I'm hanging in there and I bet you are too. Happy IWSG!
ReplyDeleteYeah had his stuff together for a while there anyway. Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteIt is hard to take your fantasy world and put it on paper for all to see, especially if you don't feel like you have the skills (yet) to do it justice. Just keep writing. Every new story teaches you something new about your talents. Soon enough you'll be ready to go.
ReplyDeleteOh yeah you learn so much from finishing a story it really is the best way to grow.
DeleteHello Brandon! Lovely to meet you!
ReplyDeleteI relate so much to this that I would've thought you'd looked inside my brain and stolen my thoughts is logic didn't dictate that to be impossible. (Unless you're telepathic in which case that would make perfect sense.)
At any rate, I went years not writing things because I was possitive that the brilliant, glistening, perfect idea in my mind couldn't possibly be executed correctly. I'd have a million ideas a day and shoot every one of them down before even getting near a key board. it's only recently that I started writing.
And the stories (poems, vignettes, what-have-you) are almost never as good as the idea was in my mind. But there's one thing that always, always makes them better. They exist. Other people can read them. That undeniable proof of that ideas existence changes everything. Yeah, I get that.
And I would add one more quote to your list. it's my favorite writing quote EVER and it comes to us from the famous playwright Samuel Beckett: "Fail. Fail again. Fail better."
Lol, I may be telepathic( yeah lets go with that 'casue it makes me sound cool. )
DeleteI love that quote.
Great post.
ReplyDeleteI do have this issue when it comes to epic fantasy. I love reading it. My first big novel idea, first series, was an epic fantasy story that I have always wanted to write. However, I put it off because I didn't feel ready to handle a story that big. I don't know as much about writing multiple pov characters. I do 2 pov character stories often but haven't ventured to more. I also don't umm worldbuild for anything. Well I have started but for stories I have written thus far, I haven't done any worldbuilding.
I did, however, finally just decide to start writing the novel back in 2010. It's not done, but I have over 50,000 words started. It needs finished and a rewrite, but I made the start. Now I just need the confidence (and to no work on other novels as I have a couple that have a higher priority right now) in order to get that book 1 done.
Good post for IWSG, even if it's one you wrote yesterday.
Ty, hey at least you took those first steos in your story.
DeleteI absolutely hate that nagging voice of doubt! I love the Bruce Lee quotes.
ReplyDeleteTY, love me some Bruce.
DeleteI don't know why, but the word co-dependent popped into my head while reading this post. I suppose we do get too attached to our stories at times, and they end up controlling us to the point that we become dysfunctional about them. Interesting post, and all I can offer is the advice to let go and learn to fly.
ReplyDeleteYeah it is something I came to terms with. I just think it is interesting that you can hold so dear and idea that is can actually keep you from moving forward. The journey of a writer I guess.
DeleteI love the Bruce Lee quotes. I'm also fan of Bruce Lee, hahaha. And Yes, I believe you're right. There's a time to write certain stories, they are so special they need you to be prepared to make them justice. :)
ReplyDeleteYeah he is someone I have loved since a kid. I hope I am getting closer to my moment.
DeleteLucy Prepple said "Feeling intimidated is a good sign. Writing from a place of safety produces at best dull and at worst dishonest." I totally get the feeling though!
ReplyDeleteThat is an awesome quote, I will remember it when I get overwhelmed.
DeleteBrandon, with those quotes by Bruce, I'd say you're right on track!
ReplyDeleteI sure hope so.
Delete