Thank you! It's oddly reassuring whenever I hear that others have taken a while to get established at writing, too. Not that I'm really established yet, but I think I'm getting there.
You might consider trying to get into a decent workshop at this point. If you work is science fictional in nature, there are many -- such as Clarion -- to apply to. I suspect there are other workshops but I'm largely ignorant of those.
Glad to hear that you're getting regular with your writing habits. That is indeed the key act by most expert reports. It's a discipline that I lack presently (although I'm hoping blogging is a transitional effort).
I would love to go to Clarion West, but it'll be a few years before my boys are all big enough for me to go away for that long. I'll be on the lookout for shorter workshops, closer to home, within a year or two.
In the meantime, it would be a good idea to join a writing group, I'm sure!
I'd be surprised if there aren't some decent writer workshops or groups in Mad City. The place is infested with cultural creative types. ;)
Do you know Meg Turville-Heitz? She's a local writer who might be of some help to you. A quick google sez she lives in Cambridge, Wisconsin.
We chat occasionally on the SFF.NET IRC chat. You might find that of some interest too. Thursday night is a big night typically. Terry McGarry occasionally frequents the place and she draws a crowd. Party starts around 9-10 pm typically.
unmarshalled thoughtsex_maehymnJune 26 2007, 14:47:11 UTC
omg. i hear you on all of this. why is it that the thing you want to do most is the hardest to do sometimes? weird, that.
moments when I'm too impatient, too ambitious, and too hard on myself.
Those are the worst, when you totally lose all perspective. if you ever need an outside perspective, or when things do become ready, i'd love to read and/or discuss your work or ideas with you! :)
a good friend of mine is a writer and his dad said to him: 'live for a while first, so that you have something to write about', which was how he went through his 20's without much actual writing practise.
i think it's a good thing that you feel like you don't know what you are doing. that's a sign that you are doing something different, not just hashing what's been done before.
I've always been resistant to any advice that is draconian enough to not take into account real life, which is why I *don't* think you have to write every day to be a "writer". Then again, I don't consider myself a "writer" per se, although I've written quite a bit. *shrug*
I don't know what I'm trying to say here, although I'm glad you've found a method of creativity that works for you.
I've always been resistant to any advice that is draconian enough to not take into account real life, which is why I *don't* think you have to write every day to be a "writer".
Hmm... I don't see it as not taking real life into account, but maybe that's because I mentally write "within reason" into everything. Of course there will be emergencies and illness and all, but generally speaking, a would-be professional writer has to put the writing high on the priority list - and why not, if she wants to write?
I guess it's the punk in me that kicks against anything that says "you should" or a "real" anything "does x". And if any of the books about writing *did* put in "within reason" I might actually consider taking instruction from them.
I'm a writer because I write. Not because I write every day, or write professional-grade stuff, but because it feeds my soul to write when I'm inspired, when I'm moved, or when I need to. But this is what works for me. If it works for you to write every day to nurture your discipline, then great! But I think all methods are worthy, if the end result is satisfying.
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Glad to hear that you're getting regular with your writing habits. That is indeed the key act by most expert reports. It's a discipline that I lack presently (although I'm hoping blogging is a transitional effort).
Reply
In the meantime, it would be a good idea to join a writing group, I'm sure!
Reply
Do you know Meg Turville-Heitz? She's a local writer who might be of some help to you. A quick google sez she lives in Cambridge, Wisconsin.
We chat occasionally on the SFF.NET IRC chat. You might find that of some interest too. Thursday night is a big night typically. Terry McGarry occasionally frequents the place and she draws a crowd. Party starts around 9-10 pm typically.
http://www.sff.net/help/chat/
Reply
moments when I'm too impatient, too ambitious, and too hard on myself.
Those are the worst, when you totally lose all perspective. if you ever need an outside perspective, or when things do become ready, i'd love to read and/or discuss your work or ideas with you! :)
a good friend of mine is a writer and his dad said to him: 'live for a while first, so that you have something to write about', which was how he went through his 20's without much actual writing practise.
i think it's a good thing that you feel like you don't know what you are doing. that's a sign that you are doing something different, not just hashing what's been done before.
Reply
That would be great - thanks! It's good to know people who understand the creative process. I'd like to talk about your work, too. :)
Reply
I've always been resistant to any advice that is draconian enough to not take into account real life, which is why I *don't* think you have to write every day to be a "writer". Then again, I don't consider myself a "writer" per se, although I've written quite a bit. *shrug*
I don't know what I'm trying to say here, although I'm glad you've found a method of creativity that works for you.
Reply
Hmm... I don't see it as not taking real life into account, but maybe that's because I mentally write "within reason" into everything. Of course there will be emergencies and illness and all, but generally speaking, a would-be professional writer has to put the writing high on the priority list - and why not, if she wants to write?
Reply
I guess it's the punk in me that kicks against anything that says "you should" or a "real" anything "does x". And if any of the books about writing *did* put in "within reason" I might actually consider taking instruction from them.
I'm a writer because I write. Not because I write every day, or write professional-grade stuff, but because it feeds my soul to write when I'm inspired, when I'm moved, or when I need to. But this is what works for me. If it works for you to write every day to nurture your discipline, then great! But I think all methods are worthy, if the end result is satisfying.
Reply
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