However this may sound, this is NOT me looking for reassurances

[wayfaringwordhack]

Sometimes--very often of late, if I'm honest--I go through one of those why-in-the-world-do-I-think-have-what-it-takes-to-be-a-writer slumps. In fact, I've gone through multiple ones just today. Slump, slump. Slump. Thump!

I honestly wonder why I keep writing, why I keep playing with stories, when I obviously have some serious lacuna in my storytelling know-how. No matter how I try, how much I think I know about all the little bits that go into great stories, I still weave yarns that are lacking. I have to ask if it is sheer stupidity that keeps me butting my head against the storytelling wall. If I *know* things, why can't I *do* them? I can't even see how it will be possible to do them in another draft. It's as if something is hardwired into me that keeps me from telling a story that will move readers or hold their interest.

Part of me says I'm putting too much pressure on myself for a first draft. A bigger part of me refers the pansy part to the above statement about it not being possible to improve one of my second drafts.

Everyone has a story to tell, people are fond of saying. OK, fine, but should everyone tell a story?

That is the question.

*sigh*  All right. Back the story, stupid.

Comments

[khiemtran.livejournal.com]

I often have days when I can't believe how horrible my writing is. Sometimes it's a sign that there's something else wrong with what I'm trying (typically viewpoint). Sometimes it just means I've gotten too deep into the nuts and bolts that I've lost track of what the reader is feeling.

OTOH, there are days when I'll be reading something else and suddenly writing will seem so easy. "I can do this!" I think. "This is what we need more of!" (And also times when I might read a book and think "This is rubbish! I could do much better than this...")

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

*nods* I have definite problems with POV. I often think I'm doing a fair job of writing a tight POV and my readers let me know otherwise. :P

With what I'm writing right now, yes, I think I'm having a hard time keeping it on-track "feeling-wise" for readers. I keep looking at it, knowing there is tension there, but not knowing how to make the reader feel it. :-<

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