Are Authors Broken? - CrimeSpace2024-03-28T21:32:46Zhttps://crimespace.ning.com/forum/topics/537324:Topic:25319?commentId=537324%3AComment%3A25359&feed=yes&xn_auth=noYes it is, but human beings d…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-04-17:537324:Comment:257852007-04-17T21:53:52.813ZIain Rowanhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/irowan
Yes it is, but human beings don't generally work like that, do they? I mean, in the time it's taking us to read and post to this thread, a couple of dozen children will have died because they don't have clean water to drink. But that doesn't stop us debating crime fiction, which is trivial in comparison. You can always trump any discussion by reference to some greater tragedy...whether it's a bad review, or a terrible day at work, a row with a partner or another rejection, it would all pale if…
Yes it is, but human beings don't generally work like that, do they? I mean, in the time it's taking us to read and post to this thread, a couple of dozen children will have died because they don't have clean water to drink. But that doesn't stop us debating crime fiction, which is trivial in comparison. You can always trump any discussion by reference to some greater tragedy...whether it's a bad review, or a terrible day at work, a row with a partner or another rejection, it would all pale if you took a walk on a children's ward.<br />
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And yet we complain about the little things in our lives, maybe because anywhere else lies madness. I don't see this as being any different. Yeah, in the grand scheme of things, it's only books and self-doubt, not that big a deal. But in the grand scheme of things, almost everything is not that big a deal. I nearly quit while writing m…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-04-17:537324:Comment:255982007-04-17T13:13:59.750ZTamara Siler Joneshttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/tamboj
I nearly quit while writing my third book, got suicidal thoughts, and went into therapy and onto antidepressants. It was horrible and just became too much with the first book out - and doing incredibly well - the second one about to hit the shelves... Fwiw, we're not all crazy. I have several writer friends who are happy and delighted with the work. I'm not one of them, but I can't *not* write, even though I've certainly tried. Some days this is the best job in the world. Other days I'd rather…
I nearly quit while writing my third book, got suicidal thoughts, and went into therapy and onto antidepressants. It was horrible and just became too much with the first book out - and doing incredibly well - the second one about to hit the shelves... Fwiw, we're not all crazy. I have several writer friends who are happy and delighted with the work. I'm not one of them, but I can't *not* write, even though I've certainly tried. Some days this is the best job in the world. Other days I'd rather have dental surgery. Without novacaine. When I answered Anne' origina…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-04-17:537324:Comment:255962007-04-17T12:58:00.993ZDADavenporthttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/DADavenport
When I answered Anne' original question, I agreed that most of us have been broken, shattered, chipped by early experiences. But somehow, we managed to mend ourselves. This makes us lucky and stronger. I likened it to a lovely vase smashed into pieces. But sometimes, after the mending, the reasembled piece is more strangely beautiful than the original was meant to be. The scars are visable, and the pattern has become more skewed, random, spontaneous... it has been rescued from perfection and it…
When I answered Anne' original question, I agreed that most of us have been broken, shattered, chipped by early experiences. But somehow, we managed to mend ourselves. This makes us lucky and stronger. I likened it to a lovely vase smashed into pieces. But sometimes, after the mending, the reasembled piece is more strangely beautiful than the original was meant to be. The scars are visable, and the pattern has become more skewed, random, spontaneous... it has been rescued from perfection and it is free to be unique. Perhaps, those of us who have seen awful things, known fear and despair at a young age but not been totally destroyed by it, get to a point where we have our characters face anything, and hopefully persevere Clinical depression (I've exp…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-04-17:537324:Comment:255652007-04-17T10:03:25.142Zdavid boggishttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/boggles
Clinical depression (I've experienced it, too) seems to be part of the lives of very many people who write. I cannot offer guesses on which is the cause and which the effect. But I do feel that writers - of necessity - lay themselves open to rejection after rejection after rejection. It can be quite tough to keep trying - to maintain, in fact, one's faith in what one has written.
Clinical depression (I've experienced it, too) seems to be part of the lives of very many people who write. I cannot offer guesses on which is the cause and which the effect. But I do feel that writers - of necessity - lay themselves open to rejection after rejection after rejection. It can be quite tough to keep trying - to maintain, in fact, one's faith in what one has written. For me, it's the art that bre…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-04-17:537324:Comment:255322007-04-17T05:05:38.724ZDaniel Hatadihttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/danielhatadi
For me, it's the art that breaks the artist. People think you're either born mad or you're not. I think it goes both ways. The brain is a highly adaptable and malleable muscle affected by everything it comes in contact with. As writers, we're chasing intangibles that exist mostly in our own heads, an insane prospect in itself. All of our thoughts change the way our brain works, especially if we think a certain way repeatedly. And we're not only chasing ideas, we're evaluating their worth. It…
For me, it's the art that breaks the artist. People think you're either born mad or you're not. I think it goes both ways. The brain is a highly adaptable and malleable muscle affected by everything it comes in contact with. As writers, we're chasing intangibles that exist mostly in our own heads, an insane prospect in itself. All of our thoughts change the way our brain works, especially if we think a certain way repeatedly. And we're not only chasing ideas, we're evaluating their worth. It makes sense that we easily confuse our thoughts for our self.<br />
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You know, I was going to write more here, but now I'm thinking about 32 dead people, guns, and culture.<br />
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It's enough to drive a guy insane. Which, of course, has nothing…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-04-17:537324:Comment:255212007-04-17T04:08:21.764ZAngiehttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/slackerwriter
Which, of course, has nothing to do with the point I was attempting to make.
Which, of course, has nothing to do with the point I was attempting to make. I don't think that being hard…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-04-17:537324:Comment:255172007-04-17T03:13:23.966ZAngiehttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/slackerwriter
I don't think that being hard on someone is the best help that you can give. I'm not a fan of telling people to suck it up, especially if they're struggling already. It's a reality that sucking it up is what ultimately has to happen in order to move on, but that happens after processing. As you said, each person is responsible for their feelings. That's a leap that is made when the individual is ready & not when a friend, peer or family member pushes him or her into the deep end.…
I don't think that being hard on someone is the best help that you can give. I'm not a fan of telling people to suck it up, especially if they're struggling already. It's a reality that sucking it up is what ultimately has to happen in order to move on, but that happens after processing. As you said, each person is responsible for their feelings. That's a leap that is made when the individual is ready & not when a friend, peer or family member pushes him or her into the deep end. Frustrating, but true. <br />
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Good on ya for finishing your book after struggling. Very cool. Everyone finds their own way through the writing wilderness - sounds like you learned a lot & had fun with it.<br />
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You're comparing apples and oranges with the tragedy in Virginia and writer depression/self-doubt/issue of your choice. I don't see how that's relevant, really. These two issues/events are in no way analogous and the result is vaguely insulting. To me, at least. It's the same in most industr…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-04-17:537324:Comment:254982007-04-17T01:27:33.256ZKaren from AustCrimehttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/austcrimefiction
It's the same in most industries where there are one group of people putting all their emotional and personal investment into producing a product for an audience. The reaction of that audience or, sometimes, others in the same provision industry can have a profound effect on everyone around them.<br />
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Try being in the IT industry :) There are days when you feel personally responsible for every ill in the entire known universe. You can imagine the feeling of self-worth that you get when the entire…
It's the same in most industries where there are one group of people putting all their emotional and personal investment into producing a product for an audience. The reaction of that audience or, sometimes, others in the same provision industry can have a profound effect on everyone around them.<br />
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Try being in the IT industry :) There are days when you feel personally responsible for every ill in the entire known universe. You can imagine the feeling of self-worth that you get when the entire IT industry is blamed because - oh I don't now - somebody never bothered to sit down and think through something.<br />
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Sure there's some crap IT programs out there - just the same as there's some crap writing. There's some great stuff in both camps as well - and then there's the great middle where it's good and there's an audience that will get it and there's an audience that will loath you for even trying.<br />
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What I do when I get down / feel insecure is to sook for a few hours and then press on - not an ideal methodology but I've been working on refining it for years now :) I hear you, Patti. The thing…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-04-16:537324:Comment:254812007-04-16T23:25:50.928ZAngiehttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/slackerwriter
I hear you, Patti. The thing is, writing is about communication. Most writers write because they have an inner imperative to express thoughts or ideas through words, and most are writing to communicate with others as well as themselves. Writing and not showing/sharing with others is...well, you can keep a journal with your thoughts, short stories, etc., if you want to just keep it personal. But that's not the point for most writers, is it? We want to share our stories.<br />
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We all have inner…
I hear you, Patti. The thing is, writing is about communication. Most writers write because they have an inner imperative to express thoughts or ideas through words, and most are writing to communicate with others as well as themselves. Writing and not showing/sharing with others is...well, you can keep a journal with your thoughts, short stories, etc., if you want to just keep it personal. But that's not the point for most writers, is it? We want to share our stories.<br />
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We all have inner critics, often far more harsh than the real life ones. I struggle with negativity, too - this sucks, I suck, why did I think I could do this, etc., etc., barf-o-rama). When I catch myself doing that, I have to stop the crap talk before I freeze up and stop writing entirely. Taking crits from other writers isn't easy, but I appreciate having someone take the time and energy to give me constructive feedback. My work is way, way better because of it & I constantly re-frame criticism into learning opportunities to shut up the "see? told ya it sucked" voices. It's all about perspective and awareness - I can't help that I tend to perfectionism and thinking my writing sucks, but I can shift that when I catch myself getting stuck in it.<br />
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Jeez. I sound like a total psycho. Maybe I am broken. But hey, don't call the doctor! All things considered, I wouldn't want to be doing anything else and I'm generally pretty A-okay with who I am. I've found that writers here…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-04-16:537324:Comment:254512007-04-16T22:11:30.546ZJude Hardinhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/festus
I've found that writers here (and in general, for the most part) are supportive of one another. Mostly nice things are said here, and the crits are subtle and tactful. <br />
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The Blue Meanies of the writing community...well, they can pick up their toys and go on home. Nobody wants to play with them anyway. <br />
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We all need a shoulder to cry on occasionally. No shame in that. It doesn't mean were broken, necessarily, only human.
I've found that writers here (and in general, for the most part) are supportive of one another. Mostly nice things are said here, and the crits are subtle and tactful. <br />
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The Blue Meanies of the writing community...well, they can pick up their toys and go on home. Nobody wants to play with them anyway. <br />
<br />
We all need a shoulder to cry on occasionally. No shame in that. It doesn't mean were broken, necessarily, only human.