tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466797836225520430.post8054858363848735845..comments2024-03-10T01:18:18.094-08:00Comments on Elise Fallson: IWSG : Free To WriteElise Fallsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14734537117333738468noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466797836225520430.post-79854488502253316502013-09-15T07:18:05.678-07:002013-09-15T07:18:05.678-07:00Tell me about it, lady! Before I started to "...Tell me about it, lady! Before I started to "really" write, I could scribble for hours without fear or self-doubt. The more I learned, though, the more I began to doubt my abilities, which made it harder *to* write, at all. I've read a lot of books about writing, which has made it near impossible to get anything done. Think I need to put the books away and just let it flow again--to write for me again, and not for everyone else. :)randi leehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14207001299508931034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466797836225520430.post-15127205398400677422013-09-07T12:55:12.840-07:002013-09-07T12:55:12.840-07:00You're listening to voices outside yourself; y...You're listening to voices outside yourself; you need to listen to your inside voice.writing and living by Richard P Hugheshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03814139767151989286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466797836225520430.post-12355022067353205002013-09-06T13:54:55.601-07:002013-09-06T13:54:55.601-07:00Just let the words flow and forget about the world...Just let the words flow and forget about the world. You do it because it makes you happy. People read your stuff because it makes them happy. If you stop being happy, people will stop reading. JUST BE HAPPY. =)Georgina Moraleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03164961271767174713noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466797836225520430.post-34570264455918847982013-09-05T21:07:36.337-07:002013-09-05T21:07:36.337-07:00Yes! I miss that feeling, too. Yes! I miss that feeling, too. Carrie Butlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01540590799406170410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466797836225520430.post-4535665961219598072013-09-05T19:44:48.110-07:002013-09-05T19:44:48.110-07:00I guess you have to remember that first and foremo...I guess you have to remember that first and foremost, you're writing for you. As long as you're happy with your work, and you know you've done your best, that's all you have control over. No matter what others say. :)Kelley Lynnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06373650788799372118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466797836225520430.post-79980504091774315732013-09-05T15:37:40.472-07:002013-09-05T15:37:40.472-07:00I think a certain amount of guilt is, actually, go...I think a certain amount of guilt is, actually, good for us and our writing. <br /><br />It keeps us 'honest' and it keeps us caring.<br /><br />The fact that you fear your doubt tells me that you really care about your writing as well as your potential audience. <br /><br />Embrace the doubt and kick the fear in the junk :DMark Meanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08029920604932980141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466797836225520430.post-24137550148721726222013-09-05T15:25:02.628-07:002013-09-05T15:25:02.628-07:00Yo Elise!
"IWSG"? "I Was Seeking ...Yo Elise!<br /><br />"IWSG"? "I Was Seeking Grammar"? <br /><br />How many times have I said it to y'all. Screw the rules! My human and I just hate rules. There aint no rules! We do what we want, when we want! No countin' dem words. No having a pro or antagonist.<br /><br />All those crap rules are only restrictive. Right with the passion, the freedom that's there in yo head! If folks are stifled by writing according to some guidelines, how can the writing ever be a true expression of yourself. And screw the critics. This dawg don't care. Besides, nobody ever criticised my writing. As for my homie, da man, that's another story.<br /><br />Stay chillin',<br /><br />Snoop Bloggy Dog in da Gangsta's Pawadise!<br /> klahaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08613505424843475639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466797836225520430.post-37778260351284476252013-09-05T15:00:42.643-07:002013-09-05T15:00:42.643-07:00Elise, what a beautiful post. I've experienced...Elise, what a beautiful post. I've experienced that exact same arc. Sometimes I go back to my earlier writings and feel a bit sad about the essence that seems to have gotten lost. I'm hoping as I continue to write, I'll forget the rules that I've learned (i.e they'll become more integrated, less I have to THINK about them), and write from that free place again! I keep remind myself, it's really about the story telling, not the writing:) Heidi heidigarretthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12684405482442123534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466797836225520430.post-6478838534789114592013-09-05T13:51:19.571-07:002013-09-05T13:51:19.571-07:00Well, you know what I always say...If the shit fit...Well, you know what I always say...If the shit fits, wear it. :DElise Fallsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14734537117333738468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466797836225520430.post-22661152745457068292013-09-05T13:36:38.758-07:002013-09-05T13:36:38.758-07:00EJ- You managed to say in your comment what I wish...EJ- You managed to say in your comment what I wished I could have said in my post, except I'm still stuck somewhere in the middle. I think it's time I stop giving so many shits and just write. (: Elise Fallsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14734537117333738468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466797836225520430.post-58343864332575699092013-09-05T08:44:40.605-07:002013-09-05T08:44:40.605-07:00So feel you on this, Elise. I got to a point where...So feel you on this, Elise. I got to a point where I almost gave up, because I felt like I was writing for everyone but me--and my writing sucked, too. What was the point?<br /><br />The turning point came after I admitted to myself that I knew how to write by the rules, but I wasn't taking that final step and letting myself be completely free to write the way I REALLY wanted to write. Which is weird, because I know some people struggle with the opposite; they have to learn to cut back on the 'ME' part and follow the rules a bit more. (And by rules I mean all the stuff you read in writing books, from agents, etc.)<br /><br />Anyway, I finally said, "I don't give a shit if this isn't publishable. I don't give a shit if the lead character gives people a headache. I'm going to tell a story I'd pay money to read or watch on television. And I'm not going to give up until I get at least one story--short or long--written that finally reflects MY vision AND is well-written." <br /><br />It took completely re-writing something I'd already thought was pretty good (it wasn't) and really pushing myself to find a voice for the main character. I knew what kind of character I wanted her to be, but everything I'd written before just wasn't that. So this time around, she cursed, snapped at her friends, showed her faults and said, "Go screw yourself"--the whole nine. And it worked! I'm not saying I ended up writing the best story on the planet or anything, but it set me free and I FINALLY found what had been missing in my previous attempts: voice. More to the point, my voice.<br /><br />I think I'd been subconsciously sabotaging myself, because I was afraid if I turned myself completely loose and it still sucked, I'd have to admit I'd really failed at being a writer. So I kept saying, "Oh, I've just got more to learn, etc., etc." That, and I was maybe worried what my friends and family might say if they really knew what was going on in my head. LOL<br /><br />My advice: take an existing story, or write a new one, and let the lead character go wild. That doesn't mean she has to be in your face, but whatever her quirks, issues, or habits are, push them to 11 :)--constantly. Don't worry about rules, if it's too over the top, etc. (that can all be adjusted later on anyway), just write. And include all of the one-liners and fun types of things that make you laugh, swoon, or scream when watching your favorite movies. It'll make writing fun for you again if nothing else, and you might be surprised what it does for your stories. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00273059558675234923noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466797836225520430.post-30703977552649503312013-09-05T08:23:52.881-07:002013-09-05T08:23:52.881-07:00The progress and self-awareness come at a price - ...The progress and self-awareness come at a price - and can we EVER recapture that initial writing abandonment? Probably not. But we cannot go back. It's onward and upward all the way!<br />I love your post Elise!<br /><a href="http://writer-in-transit.co.za/" rel="nofollow">Writer In Transit</a><br />Michelle Wallacehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02750092836481599870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466797836225520430.post-34360478134681348452013-09-05T07:49:19.272-07:002013-09-05T07:49:19.272-07:00Oh Love.. LOVE your honesty here, because I think ...Oh Love.. LOVE your honesty here, because I think we all get stuck when we start listening to all the external crud. Sometimes I have to stay off the internet and quit reading all the how-to articles. It takes me into my critic mode and my creative mode gets afraid. That's not the way to write. At least, not initially. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00741349796538313075noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466797836225520430.post-12112864057628393112013-09-04T21:21:30.607-07:002013-09-04T21:21:30.607-07:00I'm hearing you Elise. These days everyone'...I'm hearing you Elise. These days everyone's a critic. But do you notice that often best-selling authors don't mind bandying around an adverb or two and actually pepper their prose with the much-maligned adjective. Remember, rules are made to be broken--at least occasionally. Denise Covey https://www.blogger.com/profile/07106490051555233439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466797836225520430.post-42835926369977786632013-09-04T18:53:24.062-07:002013-09-04T18:53:24.062-07:00Yes, that freedom rules! I still am learning the ...Yes, that freedom rules! I still am learning the rules, but doubt has now clouded the fun. Maybe we should imagine we are twelve and write the memory real fast forgetting the rules ;D<br />Hang in there, you are not alone!Ellahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06070952447277684613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466797836225520430.post-91622777018612981162013-09-04T17:35:41.798-07:002013-09-04T17:35:41.798-07:00This is exactly what I'm going through! I'...This is exactly what I'm going through! I'm not even enjoying writing anymore because everything I write is crap according to everybody. Cathy Keatonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18356112948372149785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466797836225520430.post-40551017302315757412013-09-04T17:08:42.059-07:002013-09-04T17:08:42.059-07:00I know what you mean. Way to many rules. I think...I know what you mean. Way to many rules. I think Sheena-kay has a point. Maybe when you take breaks you could write whatever you want, the way you want it. Love your post! :)Mina Burrowshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14483363743530076604noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466797836225520430.post-33125488896663013392013-09-04T16:07:15.486-07:002013-09-04T16:07:15.486-07:00Take some time and screw the rules. Then when you ...Take some time and screw the rules. Then when you go back you'll be energized. At least that's my opinion.Sheena-kay Grahamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17712661419116636671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466797836225520430.post-74771695538765987372013-09-04T15:54:03.006-07:002013-09-04T15:54:03.006-07:00That would be so lovely. I look back on my older s...That would be so lovely. I look back on my older stories and cringe, but I still love writing even though it can be scary at times.Christine Rainshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08263694662585963900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466797836225520430.post-78604522291118843802013-09-04T15:49:32.423-07:002013-09-04T15:49:32.423-07:00I was just thinking the other day, that once upon ...I was just thinking the other day, that once upon a time I wrote my first drafts thinking they were actually good and didn't realize until they were finished how much revision they needed.<br /><br />Now I know my first drafts stink while I'm writing them, which lets some air out the happy balloon-ness of inventing the story.<br /><br />Now that's a really bad metaphor, I know. See. First drafts.Dianne K. Salernihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16459839567235304842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466797836225520430.post-21960034242077514972013-09-04T15:47:06.190-07:002013-09-04T15:47:06.190-07:00Geez, do I feel a bit of nostalgia now? I also wro...Geez, do I feel a bit of nostalgia now? I also wrote in blissful ignorance and I think I enjoyed it more than now. I wish one could learn all the rules and stuff without getting paranoid to the point of being scared to write. Al Diazhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08107619009321980764noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466797836225520430.post-52053117122513228902013-09-04T15:19:15.543-07:002013-09-04T15:19:15.543-07:00This is a great post that has a lot of truth! Than...This is a great post that has a lot of truth! Thanks for posting this.<br /><br />www.modernworld4.blogspot.comGina Gaohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09032273127593718883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466797836225520430.post-65655529568937327322013-09-04T13:39:54.759-07:002013-09-04T13:39:54.759-07:00I agree. The more experience I get, the less exper...I agree. The more experience I get, the less experienced I feel! I worry about my writing at every stage now, whereas first drafts used to be a freeing experience. In order to concentrate, I have to forget the real world for a while - no easy task!ELAdamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11390894357209056149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466797836225520430.post-18254341826143492012013-09-04T13:36:50.954-07:002013-09-04T13:36:50.954-07:00I know what you mean. Even when I start something ...I know what you mean. Even when I start something I want to write, I wonder what people are going to think of it instead of just writing. I think we need to remember that first drafts are just first drafts, and that's the time we can write most freely.Cherie Reichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16663147386014122939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466797836225520430.post-62382239458248495932013-09-04T12:15:22.167-07:002013-09-04T12:15:22.167-07:00Hey, Elise,
I think we all get that syndrome, bu...Hey, Elise, <br /><br />I think we all get that syndrome, but the lack of freedom attacks me when I'm editing. I start to wonder if things make sense. If readers will understand what I mean by that particular sentence. <br /><br />Writing freely is bliss. I used to say that I couldn't wait to be published so I could break some rules, but now that I'm here, I still don't have as much freedom as I'd like. J.L. Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05666634455836834179noreply@blogger.com