Take Pride In Your Work (Prompt)
October 4th 2008 23:41
I'm not really sure why I'm writing this. I just felt like... like it had to come out. As a writer, you need to be aware of your faults; you need to look carefully at your work and check every little detail. You need to scan it, proof it, edit it, and sometimes it feels like chopping something you love into pieces and sewing it back up with body parts you don't recognize.
But when you make something good, when you have gone through all of that, it means even more so that you deserve to be proud of it. I know I have some pretty awful entries in here, and a number of mediocre ones; but there are also a few that stand out, that are beautiful. And I am proud of my overall body of work that is this blog.
Why am I proud of this blog? Because I have poured my heart into it; because I have proved to myself and others that I can stick with it; because I have put my words somewhere that maybe someday someone will find them and be helped; because maybe I can do for other writers what they have done for me with wonderful websites and books and friendships.
I am proud of this blog because I have worked hard on it, I have done my best, I have put my best foot forward, and I have tried to help others. I have always dreamed of helping other writers. That has been my goal. To do something, to start something that could help others like me, other people who are drawn towards the arts. Towards words.
But most of all, I am proud of this blog because it is a visible thing. Because it is something I have done that everyone can look at. I have willingly exposed myself to the world. I have put my thoughts out there for all to see. And I have worked my butt off to show the world what it sees now, some small portion of it anyway. I have mustered up the courage to show who I truly am on the world wide web, without hiding behind a pen name. And that, to me, is the greatest accomplishment, no matter who does or does not read this.
What are you most proud of? What piece of work is your pride and joy-and why is it? Let me know.
But when you make something good, when you have gone through all of that, it means even more so that you deserve to be proud of it. I know I have some pretty awful entries in here, and a number of mediocre ones; but there are also a few that stand out, that are beautiful. And I am proud of my overall body of work that is this blog.
Why am I proud of this blog? Because I have poured my heart into it; because I have proved to myself and others that I can stick with it; because I have put my words somewhere that maybe someday someone will find them and be helped; because maybe I can do for other writers what they have done for me with wonderful websites and books and friendships.
I am proud of this blog because I have worked hard on it, I have done my best, I have put my best foot forward, and I have tried to help others. I have always dreamed of helping other writers. That has been my goal. To do something, to start something that could help others like me, other people who are drawn towards the arts. Towards words.
But most of all, I am proud of this blog because it is a visible thing. Because it is something I have done that everyone can look at. I have willingly exposed myself to the world. I have put my thoughts out there for all to see. And I have worked my butt off to show the world what it sees now, some small portion of it anyway. I have mustered up the courage to show who I truly am on the world wide web, without hiding behind a pen name. And that, to me, is the greatest accomplishment, no matter who does or does not read this.
What are you most proud of? What piece of work is your pride and joy-and why is it? Let me know.
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Comment by Kleonaptra
Kalikapsychosis
Right now Im very proud of my poetry and sketches - my sketches have a long way to go, but the improvement over the last few years is significant, so I know Im getting somewhere. And my poetry seems to improve without me doing much.
Im very proud of a book Im working on, a very modern, real world book inspired by my life experiences. Its my current project.
As for my blog....I am proud of it, as a whole piece, the whole blog. Some posts Im not proud of, others I am, but the blog is actually my dumping ground....Its very rare for me to put something up I really love. Why? Because my half assed work gets tons of praise, the things I love go unnoticed. That hurts me, so I just end up venting on the blog or putting up things Im not really involved in.
For sure, I hold back on the blog. Like Ive decided to never put up my best work. Doesnt make sense does it?
Comment by Chris Champion
Vyoos
Zoomies
Bloggercises
The Blog of Lists
Newly Old
Money Whither
That's a good enough reason for anybody. But for a writer, it's not a reason so much as an an imperative
Comment by Chris Champion
Vyoos
Zoomies
Bloggercises
The Blog of Lists
Newly Old
Money Whither
You are light years closer to finishing a major work of fiction than I am, but it is possible I have more experience than you in the fine art of procrastination. So I will make a suggestion and perhaps it will hold something for you.
My suggestion is to put out of your mind the big things - the number of books the series may eventually make, the words and sketches still to be written and drawn, the myriad other literary and artistic and logistical and administrative things which need to be done - and find a little thing to do.
The big things are in the future and they are out of your control. The little things are within your control. For example, today you will concentrate on getting Fred into the forest, and through the fight with the two baddies.
It's one little step, but it's a manageable, non-scary step.
The best way - the only way, really - to the end of any project is through a series of small steps. They're manageable, they are therefore fun, and they have a way, as they mount up, of removing the big-picture concerns.
As for mistakes, are you worried about mistakes of plot? You could just say they are part of the process. And any revisions you find yourself making as a result of changing your mind about plot direction could well be nothing compared to what the book editors will ask of you once they get their hands on it.
Just some thoughts from someone who has none of these cares and never will - unless he actually starts writing his book one day
Regards,
Chris
Comment by Dianna G
I Wish This Was 42
Fictional Worlds
Wonderful response. I hope you can get somewhere with that series.
~Dianna
Chris,
Thanks for your comments. I like the sentiments.
~Dianna
Comment by Kleonaptra
Kalikapsychosis
Thanks for your kind words - you know writers love those!
I didnt sit down with it and decide it was going to be 7 books - we have got to this point because I have done exactly as you said!
I was about 15 when I completed book One and gave it to my teacher to proof read. He said its not a novel, its an outline, which at 15, is fair enough. I was obsessed with the work at that stage, story working and character development led me to link it to another work I had, and BANG! A dozen stories erupted!
I decided I could not finish the novels themselves without creating the whole planet, with maps and family history. So I did. And now after years of - "I'll just work this piece, or expand this character, today I'll work this scene.." I have a ton of information, and it just looks too hard to put it together!
But it made me feel better when I found out Lord Of The Rings took Tolkkien his whole life!
If I let her rest, she'll come and drag me back to her.