tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post6838679757375307840..comments2024-01-12T00:48:48.031-06:00Comments on Go Teen Writers: When You Doubt Your WritingStephanie Morrillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13128389560727867719noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-91871282332987199862013-03-02T13:15:25.505-06:002013-03-02T13:15:25.505-06:00That's funny - I usually have an easier time w...That's funny - I usually have an easier time writing when I read things in my genre. I have trouble when I read or watch something in another genre (e.g. futuristic - my WIP is allegorical. You could call it fantasy, but it really isn't) I want to write something in that genre! I guess it's different with different writers, maybe?Maria Rod.https://www.blogger.com/profile/10418600081930990033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-29945136181412368612013-02-28T20:35:37.585-06:002013-02-28T20:35:37.585-06:00You gotta love good critique partners!You gotta love good critique partners!Stephanie Morrillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13128389560727867719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-10568639151729531502013-02-28T19:58:23.590-06:002013-02-28T19:58:23.590-06:00Thanks Stephanie! This post was seriously helpful....Thanks Stephanie! This post was seriously helpful. I know that I'm constantly worrying about my story, whether or not its good enough. This at least let me know I wasn't alone! :D <br />When I'm doubting it, though, I try to look back and think about what my critique partners said. They're really awesome; while they pointed out my strengths and weaknesses, they made me feel good about the project, too. So that's definitely helpful.Alexa Mintahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13865586987033390255noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-85494218586126075272013-02-28T10:51:13.557-06:002013-02-28T10:51:13.557-06:00Thanks, Stephanie! This post was really helpful! I...Thanks, Stephanie! This post was really helpful! I was just feeling frustrated with my story, and I think that's because I finally decided to put aside this story I've been working on for two years and think is really crappy. I think some of that sore feeling towards my old story came over into my new story. Hopefully, now I can just continue fleshing out the first draft of my new story.Micheilanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-74639350545536437832013-02-27T21:35:49.454-06:002013-02-27T21:35:49.454-06:00I am feeling better, thank you! Now my poor son ha...I am feeling better, thank you! Now my poor son has something again. This has been a bad winter for the Morrill family!Stephanie Morrillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13128389560727867719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-34988265664122015802013-02-27T20:27:41.560-06:002013-02-27T20:27:41.560-06:00One thing I've noticed is that the less I doub...One thing I've noticed is that the less I doubt my writing, the worse it is. For instance, I absolutely loved the first draft of one story, and I look at it now and say, "How did I ever think that was good?" Then with my current WIP, I think it still needs a whole bunch of work, and my critique partner thinks it's really good.<br /><br />And speaking of critique partners...besides convincing you that your project isn't total crap, they're also good for pointing out your strengths and weaknesses. I never would have listed dialogue as one of my strengths, or description as one of my weaknesses, if it weren't for my CP.Jalyn Elyhttp://jalynreads.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-60269722820843210032013-02-27T19:31:22.873-06:002013-02-27T19:31:22.873-06:00I haven't gotten past the second draft yet for...I haven't gotten past the second draft yet for my first novel, and I'm on the first draft for my WIP, but when I do, I'm sure it'll come in handy. Sometimes I really doubt my ideas (not being able to explain them well doesn't help), but sometimes, I have an inflated opinion and everything's going really well (at least, until the next day). Thank you so much for this post! Katiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08117667458636102470noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-59178404883395488902013-02-27T18:18:44.831-06:002013-02-27T18:18:44.831-06:00This comment has been removed by the author.Natalie Noelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01305662359083079426noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-30030691987021506662013-02-27T18:16:03.395-06:002013-02-27T18:16:03.395-06:00Thanks so much for this encouraging post. :) I hop...Thanks so much for this encouraging post. :) I hope this means you're feeling better. I know being sick is no fun, especially when you have such a full plate! :PAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-47093122420036899382013-02-27T18:15:33.921-06:002013-02-27T18:15:33.921-06:00Oh man, have I ever felt that before! Especially s...Oh man, have I ever felt that before! Especially since all my friends are writers and we all share are books with each other. I always find myself so hooked on their books and when I look at mine I feel like it's not good enough. But despite that, my friends are very supportive. I remember when I was on the brink of quitting my book and I told one of my best friends, she slapped me (literally). She said, "don't you dare quit your book! I'm really enjoying it!" (Rather abusive, but very helpful!) <br />I told myself never to quit again.<br /><br />I have definitely had the same problem as Stephanie when I read a book while I'm writing one and suddenly you just want write about those characters instead. I remember especially when I read Sarah Sundin's new book "With Every Letter". Ooohhh! It was just so good that the characters were in my mind for about a week before I got them out!<br />Don't.Do.That.<br /><br />thanks so much Stephanie!! <br />Emmi Lynnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16103869981438471742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-9565050463353397872013-02-27T17:39:07.691-06:002013-02-27T17:39:07.691-06:00I've just queried and I'm insanely crazy s...I've just queried and I'm insanely crazy scared. My inner-writer is having a spack attack about how unready the book is and how no one's going to want to read it and it's messy and...horrible. But I KNOW I've worked on this book for 3 years, had plenty of beta-readers, severe edits and light edits and complete rewrites. I want to be published, but my head is spinning with "what ifs"...<br /><br />Love the picture of Connor! ;) We keep finding my 2yrs nephew on top of the...er...car. God definitely has a sense of humour when he decided to give 2yr olds 50 times more energy then anyone else. :PCG @ Paper Furyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14954615708675952085noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-8694567395467489292013-02-27T15:00:42.518-06:002013-02-27T15:00:42.518-06:00I hope you're feeling better. Connor looks so ...I hope you're feeling better. Connor looks so nbig there!<br /><br />This is one of biggest struggles. It definitely stops me from writing. Ever so slowly I'm learning that its not something that's overcome but managed and I have to be proactive in managing it. It's been hard for me to accept the bad first draft, I want everything to just be write and then I obsess and stress myself out when it isn't. Now that I'm done some editing and rewriting I see how things change in the proccess and its helped me accept a bad first draft more. But there are still days I have to convince myself that its ok to be bad (like the scene I wrote today) and to keep moving forward.<br /><br />Another thing that has helped me is to really take it down to bare bones. I can feel overwhelmed easily so if I only focus on the main plot and the next turn that has to happen. I feel better and actually write faster than when I'm thinking about everything. My plan right now is to go back and write the subplot like a short story & weave it in.....we'll see how it works out. Tonyahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14500897912581589616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-36678303352553518732013-02-27T14:52:06.937-06:002013-02-27T14:52:06.937-06:00Thanks! This is extremely helpful :) I tend to dou...Thanks! This is extremely helpful :) I tend to doubt my writing a lot and unfortunately it often leads me to turn to another project, instead of just finishing one story completely. <br /><br />Can't wait to read the Revised Life of Ellie Sweet!Jillnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-80418824376577515712013-02-27T14:34:35.369-06:002013-02-27T14:34:35.369-06:00I'm about a quarter of the way through my curr...I'm about a quarter of the way through my current WIP, but I know this stage is coming. I never thought about not reading other books in my genre while I write, but it makes total sense now because I always finish the book and look at mine and wonder why it isn't that creative/funny/engaging. Thanks for the advice!Kaitlin Scherzingerhttp://sweetnessinthedreaming.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-43670762460551295312013-02-27T13:28:14.746-06:002013-02-27T13:28:14.746-06:00I'm so glad, Emily!I'm so glad, Emily!Stephanie Morrillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13128389560727867719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-73593678744825981132013-02-27T13:27:31.423-06:002013-02-27T13:27:31.423-06:00I hear wonderful things about that forum, Olivia :...I hear wonderful things about that forum, Olivia :) It sounds a great place for encouragement and advice.<br /><br />If I have changes I want to make, I do what you do. I'll make myself a note or something, but I don't mess with going back. Stephanie Morrillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13128389560727867719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-78216143003929712202013-02-27T13:25:57.837-06:002013-02-27T13:25:57.837-06:00I'm so glad it resonated, Hannah Elise! I wrot...I'm so glad it resonated, Hannah Elise! I wrote a lot of my early books by hand as well :)Stephanie Morrillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13128389560727867719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-85845097157274072042013-02-27T13:25:16.309-06:002013-02-27T13:25:16.309-06:00Yes, great idea, Bethany. About halfway through th...Yes, great idea, Bethany. About halfway through the story, I usually feel tangled up in all my plot lines, so stepping back and remembering what the story is about at its core and why it feels important for me to write can get me energized again.Stephanie Morrillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13128389560727867719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-41636907288566480722013-02-27T13:22:58.137-06:002013-02-27T13:22:58.137-06:00I noticed that too! All my Al(l)y(i)sons in a row!...I noticed that too! All my Al(l)y(i)sons in a row! <br /><br />Turning to another hobby is a GREAT suggestion! Taking a walk sometimes helps too.Stephanie Morrillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13128389560727867719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-61548980807743552162013-02-27T13:21:31.338-06:002013-02-27T13:21:31.338-06:00I hadn't even noticed, Alyson! And how interes...I hadn't even noticed, Alyson! And how interesting about your art teacher's advice. That makes sense.<br /><br />Oh, Ben and Jerry's. LOVE. Phish Food and Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough are my favorites...Stephanie Morrillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13128389560727867719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-30705017104551657132013-02-27T13:19:43.678-06:002013-02-27T13:19:43.678-06:00I've gone through the same thing, Allison. Jus...I've gone through the same thing, Allison. Just before I acquired my agent, I had reworked Me, Just Different so many times that I thought, "I almost hope she passes so I can put this manuscript away for a while." Well, she said yes :) Dealing with the fatigue now is good practice for when you'll have to do it under contract!Stephanie Morrillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13128389560727867719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-37584662201581879892013-02-27T12:34:16.468-06:002013-02-27T12:34:16.468-06:00This is SO helpful! Thank you!!This is SO helpful! Thank you!!Emily Ann Putzkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03663345569249469554noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-49365325406727441832013-02-27T11:20:38.905-06:002013-02-27T11:20:38.905-06:00Great post, Stephanie!! I'm in the middle of t...Great post, Stephanie!! I'm in the middle of the my-book-is-terrible-stage, and I've found that a great piece of advice (one that I'm trying hard to stick to) is to NOT let yourself make changes before you finish the rough draft. <br /><br />I'm part of the One Year Adventure Novel writing forum, and it's a piece of advice that I've given and been given many times - and now I'm having to live by my own words and just write. Because I've got all this nonsense going on in the first few chapters that I'm just ITCHING to fix, but I know I should wait...so I've made a commitment to see this rough draft through with no more editing (because yeah, I already broke my own rules once.) <br /><br />So that's what I'm working through lately. ;)Olivia Smithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06248659353869417682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-39500417914917238812013-02-27T11:18:00.084-06:002013-02-27T11:18:00.084-06:00Oh, Wow! I said "right" instead of "...Oh, Wow! I said "right" instead of "write" Now I feel like an idiot : )Alyson Schrollhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10985230257033740736noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-88569003603861165002013-02-27T11:17:23.836-06:002013-02-27T11:17:23.836-06:00This comment has been removed by the author.Alyson Schrollhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10985230257033740736noreply@blogger.com