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

Re: Will come back to this when I'm more here

[tatterpunk.livejournal.com]

Yuck and damnation upon head colds, for truly they are pestilence on this earth. Sending good wishes and eagerly awaiting to hear more from you.

I'm... doing. I recently crash-landed back at my parents' after living in China again. That broke my heart a bit: Beijing is not the city I loved and left five years ago. And then the metaphorical became literal when a doctor told me I had an Actual Health Issue which, while not serious when treated properly, would not allow me to flourish in my then-environs. "This is the worst city in the world to have this problem," were her exact words, and so I sobbed and sobbed (my thyroid was wrecking havoc on my hormones, but still) and booked a ticket home.

And so here I am! I got a write-off from my doctor just yesterday and I am free to go wherever I like now, more or less. I just need to figure out where that may be.

Re: Will come back to this when I'm more here

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

You know, I don't particularly *want* to live in Mayotte again (because the climate and invisible fungi-thingies were out to get me) but I've often thought that I really DON'T want to return because it will not be all the things that made it so special for me. Ah, progress! Ah, turning wheel of time!

As for your health issue, sympathies. I hope things really, truly are cleared up and worthy of a write-off now.

If you want to visit Egypt, know that you have a place to stay. :D