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

[aeriedraconia.livejournal.com]

I think everyone goes through that. I sure do. It can be really hard dealing with the differences between the internal vision you have for a creative work and what comes out on paper. Rarely do the images match perfectly and they definitely don't when it's a WIP.

Don't forget the mantra: It can all be fixed later.

I have also heard it said that when you hit that wall and bump up against it for a while you are about to break through and grow as a writer.



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

Why not? Tell the story and tell your internal self-saboteur (most of us have one) to sit down and zip it. :-)

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

Self-saboteur...oh yes, I have one of those. Heck, i don't know what part of me isn't the self-saboteur...