7 days of self-promo - day 7

[kassidy62]

I had to think a bit about this final day - something I'm really proud of? I am proud of some of my work when I do it, but later on I pick it to death, or doubt if it's good, you know? So for me I'd say it's hard to maintain that sort of positivity over the long haul. There's a couple of stories that I like quite a bit, a couple of vids I'm fond of

Comments

[kassidy62]

Competition in society is brutal, and I'm divided as to how I feel about it. I think it's most likely a natural thing with a species as dominant and numerous as we are, which doesn't make it any easier of course. And there's a lot of qualifications and conditions to add to this statement, but I do feel an outsider perspective can be really useful for my writing. And I think that a thoughtful, balanced, mindful, *helpful* edit (in and out of fandom) is almost an art.

However, having said that, I will also say that I had a few very bad experiences myself in fandom that involved edits and the like. Hopefully I learned a few things from the situations, including when to reject or disagree with criticism. I also think I had a couple of times where I offended others with my edits, which I deeply regret, but learned how to be more mindful of others.

However, as to being proud of work I've done? I think you're right, and I'm not sure how much of being unable to experience an uncomplicated, out-and-out pride in my work has to do with others, versus with myself being too self-critical (and/or how much those two things have influenced the other). Something to ponder!

[greenlady2]

"...but I do feel an outsider perspective can be really useful for my writing...."

Sure, if that's what you want and how you feel. Honestly, I don't care how other people write or how many betas or editors or story-ripper-aparters they have, as long as that's what they want.

What I object to is being told I should want it. And I've seen the brutality of it directed to others, and I want no part of that. Ever.

"...and I'm not sure how much of being unable to experience an uncomplicated, out-and-out pride in my work has to do with others, versus with myself being too self-critical (and/or how much those two things have influenced the other)..."

Yes. I have no way of knowing which is which of course. Sometimes even we ourselves don't know. For myself, I'm super-critical of every word I write while I'm writing, but when I'm done, that's it, and I'm never going to rip it apart and start over. If that makes me a bad writer in the eyes of others, I simply don't care. But if other writers like this 'process', that's fine with me. I think people should write the way that works for them.

But being super-critical can be disabling, I think. :-)

[kassidy62]

I agree being super-critical and also self-conscious can be disabling, not to mention taking away pleasure in the work itself, which really is a shame, isn't it?
Discussion about an issue is one thing, but as for forcing views on someone else, my reaction in short is: screw that.
I particularly dislike being preached at instead of spoken to as a person, you know? I've seen that quite a bit, frequently cloaked in some weird sort of righteousness.