So. Today will be a reality check for new writers still, BUT with a difference. This one has a much more positive spin.
The message is simple.
STOP WORRYING!!!
So what if your story has no plot? So what if your story is completely different from anything else in your genre? So what if prudes and the ignorant masses will try to burn your books once they're published?
Most of us are fortunate enough to live in countries where we won't get shot for writing something different.
Use that. Go nuts. Be as mad as a hatter on speed.
Be you.
And you'll be okay.
I promise.
You're right - worrying doesn't accomplish a thing.
ReplyDeleteThat goes for anything in life, why worry about you have no control over?.
ReplyDeleteGreat post.
Yvonne.
Oh, and remember, that every book that gets burned has to be purchased first, so being a book burning writer could equate to pretty decent sales if your publisher is savvy...
ReplyDeleteSo very true--worrying isn't going to get that book written, and that's really the bottom line.
ReplyDeleteOh thank you! Mad as a hatter on speed! You just made my day :)
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't mind making a 'Burn this!' list! It means the power of my writing has made people sit up and feel something strong. I would mind getting shot for it, though! :)
ReplyDeleteLovely, lovely, lovely post!
I'm not a newbie writer and I always need to hear this advice.
ReplyDeleteOh my, I gave up worrying a long time ago (at least I tell myself that)...at least about whether or not my book is like any genre...because odds are, it isn't. ;)
ReplyDeleteMy hubby keeps trying to convince me of this. He's like, "The next book will be better." And then while my back is turned he snatches the draft and starts the publishing process. Eek!
ReplyDeleteSo, I'm going to take your message and play it in my head again and again and again, until I believe it. =)
I'm already mad as a hatter...please pass the speed over to me? I could use some of that as well. ;)
ReplyDeleteLaura Eno – A Shift in Dimensions
I loved your blogpost. Stop worrying is adaptable to sooo many situations. I think all writers should express themselves freely. It's their right.
ReplyDeleteLove this post!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat you say? No worries? But that's my second name! It comes like breathing to me. I think the switch was implanted in the factory, don't know yet how to turn it down.
ReplyDelete"Be as mad as a hatter on speed."
ReplyDeleteI'll certainly try. It sounds much more fun than worrying.
I remember the saying about worry being like a rocking chair. Stop worrying and just move forward.
ReplyDeleteOkay. No more worrying. Thanks for reminding me. :)
ReplyDeleteI might have to write this post on my wall. Great reminder and I really needed it today. Simply Sarah
ReplyDeleteWorrying does stunt the creative process. Get it out on paper and worry during the editing process-but even then not too much.
ReplyDeleteI've never worried about the length of my books since finding out about the modern-day "word count" police. Why should I apologize for deliberately planning and plotting sagas, hack out hundreds of pages and important characters and subplots for no reasons other than to bring down length, or chop it up into a pretended trilogy or series and dole out the plot piecemeal? Since when was counting words more important than telling a story at the length that fits it?
ReplyDeleteYou are right Misha. Worrying is pointless. I am trying to go easy on the worrying part.
ReplyDeleteThis is good advice. I wish I could stop worrying, but I think that giving up caffeine might be easier. And I love caffeine. :)
ReplyDeleteShort and sweet and IMPORTANT. I love it. Sometimes I'll look back and think of those early manuscripts--the ones that were pure imagination and creativity, because my craft was non existent. I find myself nostalgic for the time when I didn't know just how hard all of this is, just how much there is to master. Back then it was about falling in love with the story--magical :)
ReplyDeleteI used to find I'd hold back a bit in my manuscripts, never taking the scene, the idea, etc as far as it could go. Not sure why, but trying to rectify that now and with future stories. Great post! :)
ReplyDeleteI need this reminder today! Boy am I stressed out. Thank you!!
ReplyDeleteI need to be reminded of this frequently, so thank you :)
ReplyDeleteOh gosh, my favorite hobby! :)
ReplyDeleteSeriously, great advice!