Paranoia Settling In for a Visit
Lately, there's been this suspicion that my writing is not where it should be.
I read my words and wonder: Am I overwriting? Do I really need to say what the hero smells like? Do I need to describe the feelings that are overwhelming the heroine? Is it necessary to use metaphors?
No one has said I overwrite. So why is my writer's conscious bugging me about it?
I'm chalking it up to paranoia.
Do you ever obsess over something in your writing, despite the lack of a solid foundation (crits) for your worry?
I read my words and wonder: Am I overwriting? Do I really need to say what the hero smells like? Do I need to describe the feelings that are overwhelming the heroine? Is it necessary to use metaphors?
No one has said I overwrite. So why is my writer's conscious bugging me about it?
I'm chalking it up to paranoia.
Do you ever obsess over something in your writing, despite the lack of a solid foundation (crits) for your worry?
Comments
You stinker! I'm so jealous that you don't obsess. :-) Thanks for the pep talk.
It's awesome that you know your writing is good. I think we all need to come to that place where we can see our strenghts and use them.
Great. We can moan and groan together. Heehee! Sounds like a good writer friend to help you like that.
I don't think there's anything wrong with that at all. I promise, this is not a fun feeling to have. It's also good that you're practical about your stories and comfortable with the fact that they might stay on paper. Who knows though? You could be a secret literary genius. :-)
I hope you keep having fun with your writing.
But I know I still have time to reread my new stuff, and really sit back to assess it. Eventually we get that honest perspective we need, which overrides any paranoia.
You're doing great, girl.
I know what you mean about looking back over older manuscripts. I hope you get everything squared away. :-)
Congrats on the progress you are making with your WIP! Way to go!
Yep, I do it too. I constantly go back over my work, nit-picking everything.
Part of that, is it makes me feel like I am "working," on my writing, and the other part is paranoia.
Maybe that feeling will calm down after a few books are published. (one can hope right?)
BTW, sorry about the missing post this AM. I just put up an explanation.
Blessings,
Susan :)
So with the obsession thing, I guess we're normal? LOL
That's what I need to work on. Not "smelling" everything. *snicker*
Very wise about slipping into old patterns. I think we can all do that now and then.
I was wondering about your post.
Probably true. The thing about paranoia is that it's not grounded in reality. Our truth is not the Truth. LOL I'm sure your manuscript is fine. :-)
I think all writers struggled with self-doubt, but as long as we don't let it get in the way of our writing, I think we can learn to live with the occasional bout of it.
I agree. Voices are extremely helpful. Fun too.
I guess I can't complain so long as they keep telling the story. :D
Lynnette Labelle
http://lynnettelabelle.blogspot.com
It's nice to know we're not alone in our craziness, isn't it?
Sometimes it helps to try to forget the rules (key word: try) and just write how you did. You can fix passives and adverbs later on. :-)
At some point, you just have to do your best, then leave it in God's hands. Getting help is good, but sometimes you know what works well with your characters and the flow of your voice.
I think it's good to tell how a character smells; that's detail that makes a great story. (Now, if you told how every character in your book smelled, i would say you are obesessing about smell! LOL! ahahahahahahhaaaa!!!!!)
I read a book last fall where a writing veteran counseled a newbie, telling her, "Always pray before you write, and love your readers." When i remember to do that, it's better.
Jen
Well, the hero in my first contemporary smells like Cool Water cologne.
The hero in my second cont. smells like Big Red gum, the kind the heroine's grandpa used to chew.
My third hero smells like old-fashioned romance. LOL Haven't decided exactly how to pinpoint that one.
Is it unhealthy, do you think, to remember all this? LOL Do you have certain scents to go with your characters?