Meme: On writing fanfic...

[magnetic_pole]

I've had this journal for almost six months now, and I love reading this meme, so it's time for a little self-assessment. This post is about my writing, mostly for my own purposes but here for those of you who are interested in the writing process

Comments

[lupinspatronus]

Haha I love reading about what goes on behind-the-scenes.. well, somewhat.

I am with you about being shy about your own writing.. I don't really write fic, I write music.. and everytime I let someone hear it for the first time, especially if it's someone really qualified and/or an expert, I feel my innards cringing with - what is it, shyness? embarrassment? Haha.

before I start posting to other communities and archives. I'm not at that stage yet. Time to start, Maggie

[magnetic_pole]

and every time I let someone hear it for the first time, especially if it's someone really qualified and/or an expert, I feel my innards cringing with - what is it, shyness? embarrassment?

Me, too. It's painful. It's a big part of the reason I started writing here on LJ, incidentally, because I figured I had to get over my fear of showing my work to other people. It's a terrible thing to say--because I do work hard on my fic and care about it, really!--but I've been able to relax and let go, not obsess so much over my writing, and not fear the reader's response quite so much. What do you do to get over it?

By the way, writing music is so interesting, LP. *mulls that over* That's creative, obsessive, intense work--much more so than writing, I'd imagine, which can be deceptively like talking sometimes.

The richness of characters and relationships between them, plus the whole drama and politics about the first war ... Plus canon provides guidelines, but doesn't impose too many rules. What more could you ask for?Exactly! So well put

[lupinspatronus]

Hm I think that as long as you feel proud of what you've produced, the feeling of fearing an audience's response will naturally go away after the first showing, because you believe strongly in your work and that's what really matters. Of course feedback is very very useful - especially in pointing out things I didn't realise, both good and bad - but if something someone says doesn't resonate with what I believe then I will struggle with it for a while, then eventually decide not to heed that person's advice. There's always some sort of struggle, though, haha, where I try to convince myself that I'm more correct

[magnetic_pole]

This is rushed because I'm about to head out of town, but I wanted to reply. You have an amazingly healthy attitude towards feedback criticism! I'm impressed. It's the one I aspire to myself.

I have a terrible time starting, too. And a hard time keeping at it until I feel like I'm immersed in the material--at which point I stay up all hours and type till I'm done. I just can't seem to write on a 9:00 to 5:00 schedule, the way some of my academic colleagues can. Does the same thing hold true for the people you know who write music? That some people are simply more methodical about the whole thing?

I'm off now, but I can't wait to hear from you again when I get back home. Enjoy these last few weeks of summer, and I talk to you again in September! Maggie

[lupinspatronus]

Haha I think the attitude towards feedback criticism takes time to settle into. Also, having guidance from a mentor really helps too. I used to be really protective of my work but at the same time really insecure! Then I realised there was no point in being so if I was really happy with my work as it was. Haha

[magnetic_pole]

Then I realised there was no point in being so if I was really happy with my work as it was. This is so true. *ponders*
M.