How to Recover Your Writing Confidence (Even if You Think You Never Had Any)

[paynesgrey]

One of the writers I follow on Twitter posted this. I really enjoyed it and wanted to share. Mostly because I've been having this problem lately with my own work...

How to Recover Your Writing Confidence (Even if You Think You Never Had Any)

A couple of things that stood out for me;

Under "Your Peers Can Drain Your Confidence" this line: Writing

Comments

[eviinsanemonkey]

that was awesome :)

It's especially worse if you enjoy writing fan fiction and people tell you you're wasting your time with it. I think I'll decide that for myself, thank you very much.
Seriously. *eye roll* It's not like there aren't weirder hobbies out there...

[paynesgrey]

I caught my husband RPing as Mr. Perfect in a WWE forum one time. He's not aloud to tell me fanfiction is a waste of time anymore. ;P

[eviinsanemonkey]

haha, nice

OMG YOUR TYRION ICON IS GORGEOUS! <3

[paynesgrey]

Isn't it? I found some gorgeous ones by imaginary_lives, including this one.

[starzki]

There are reasons why almost no one in my rl know about my fanfiction. One, I don't want them to read it. Two, I don't want them to discourage me from writing it.

Personally, I had a teacher take the wind out of my writing sails in the seventh grade. I was trying to use writing to get through a painful time and my teacher told me I did B work because I was making up words incorrectly (she said "marshmallowy clouds" should be "marshmallow-ly clouds") and she docked any little grammar mistake rather than actually grading the content, mood, or plot of the piece. It discouraged me so much that I really gave up on writing (except for when required) for a long, long time. Fanfiction is what brought me around again and I love it.

[paynesgrey]

Only my husband really knew about my fanfic, except for when he told my friends without my permission that I did. I mean, it was laughed off but it really pissed me off. So when he did it again, I brought up his Wrestling RP and it shut him up from ever saying it again. However, my friends also know I write original stuff, and they like it, so they don't really give me a hard time. I think sometimes people don't understand that fanfiction is like practice, inspiration and expression to help writers, not just as a self-indulgent porn hobby (though it can be that too, but I'd like to think it's not the ONLY thing

[aiffe]

...what.

"Marshmallowy clouds" is fine. "Marshmallow-y" would also be acceptable. WTF is "marshmallow-ly clouds"??? Why the -ly ending? Is it an adverb now? "They were marshmallowly floating through the sky"?

[starzki]

Thank you! I seriously argued with her in the middle of class about it (and I was a very meek and non-confrontational 13 year-old) and she eventually gave me partial credit, but acted like she was doing me a huge favor. I just couldn't see in what world the -ly ending made any sense.

[paynesgrey]

Thanks!

Ah, I just think I'm overwhelmed with stuff (with drawing and writing it gets crazy for me). I've been struggling with my original fic for so long. Fanfic really hasn't been a problem lately. Sometimes I need a break though...

[bellonablack]

"It's especially worse if you enjoy writing fan fiction and people tell you you're wasting your time with it. I think I'll decide that for myself, thank you very much."

Okay. Okay, yes. This so much. I showed someone the first chapters of my original work, and now whenever I'm on the computer, I'm asked about when it's going to be finished. And they so do know about the fanfiction lol. Misfire on telling that!

[paynesgrey]

I don't think people realize that original fiction is waaaay harder for some people than fanfic. At least it is for me. More it's the discipline for the length and revision. Damn, it gets intimidating sometimes...

[bellonablack]

It honestly is harder for me too. I'm trying to get disciplined on it since it is kind of a lone experience too in some respects. Safe to say, I definitely couldn't write an original novel in a week or so, where that seems to be the expectation? Ugh.

[roxotaku]

I get told I am wasting my time writing fanfic all the time, and should be writing my own original stuff...as if I could be the next Stephen King or J.K. Rowling, LOL. I will write my own stuff when I am good and ready!

[paynesgrey]

That's exactly how I feel.

But hey, that's quite a compliment that you could be the next Stephen King. XD

[roxotaku]

They are dreaming if they think I can do that! I tell them I won't be, but until I actually write an original and try and get published they will keep on harassing me...sigh.