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[Deepfreeze32]

Because you never think about toilet paper until the moment you need it. And 99% of the time, it's there and not a problem. I think the whole "I just dropped a deuce and I have no toilet paper" dilemma is more rare than you might think, factoring all the other times you go number 2.

[Chozon1]

That's like "car wrecks happen less than you think". Yeah, that's true...but it's not helpful when it happens. XD And why do you never realize there's no TP until it's too late? You'd think we, as a people, would look before we leap, as it were. And yet everyone does this.

The flash?

[Deepfreeze32]

The superhero? He's cool.

The Adobe product? Eff that noise. TO THE DEPTHS WITH IT!

[Sstavix]

So how are you feeling about your novel so far?

[Deepfreeze32]

Well, I feel good about my progress, my setting, and my overall plot.

However, I feel deeply conflicted about the way I'm telling it. My friends point out that my prose tends to be clinical and at times dry, and I agree with them. I'm also not sure if the way I'm exploring themes is a good one. One of the themes my novel is exploring is the nature of a world where privacy is more or less dead, and the impact of having government surveillance all the time. However, the way the theme is explored is through massive conversations between characters, which essentially boils down to me puzzling out the issue for myself. I include some scenes that imply the state of things (A character accesses a Senator's security system with little effort), but I can't shake the feeling that my story is a not so much a story and more like my characters are grandstanding and filibustering. But at the same time...I wanted to make a dialog-heavy story. These topics lend themselves to conversations in the real world, why not a fictional one?

I worry that instead of writing a good story with interesting themes, I'm writing a boring one filled with long, tedious discussions about topics. At the same time, this is part of what I wanted to make: A politically-relevant story that can be enjoyed by those wishing to see it for what it is, and for those who wish to see it as a critique of US Intelligence Practices.

The real problem is that I am far and away my own worst critic. I hate nearly everything I do, as it's not perfect, or even close. Even if it's better than some of my friends who do the same things, I still don't feel adequate.

I'm rambling now...lol


On the other hand, at least it's good writing practice, huh?

[Chozon1]

For flame and glory?

[Deepfreeze32]

Sounds like the title of a Power Metal album/song.

[Sstavix]

... However, the way the theme is explored is through massive conversations between characters, which essentially boils down to me puzzling out the issue for myself. I include some scenes that imply the state of things (A character accesses a Senator's security system with little effort), but I can't shake the feeling that my story is a not so much a story and more like my characters are grandstanding and filibustering. But at the same time...I wanted to make a dialog-heavy story. These topics lend themselves to conversations in the real world, why not a fictional one?

I don't see anything wrong with a dialogue-heavy story. In fact, one could argue that writing from a first-person perspective is nothing but a dialogue-driven story. Just that most of the dialogue is internal to the protagonist.

I worry that instead of writing a good story with interesting themes, I'm writing a boring one filled with long, tedious discussions about topics. At the same time, this is part of what I wanted to make: A politically-relevant story that can be enjoyed by those wishing to see it for what it is, and for those who wish to see it as a critique of US Intelligence Practices.

It depends on your audience. Some will like analytical, fictional debates, while others will prefer short, chopped sentences which don't get in the way of stuff blowing up. It can be hard to balance the two, and few authors could do it well (e.g. Tom Clancy). But it'll just take practice, editing, getting feedback from your readers, and editing some more. You'll get there.

The real problem is that I am far and away my own worst critic. I hate nearly everything I do, as it's not perfect, or even close. Even if it's better than some of my friends who do the same things, I still don't feel adequate.

You know what? You always will be your harshest critic. Since it's your creation, you'll be the first - and possibly the only - person to notice the little flaws and inconsistencies. But that's OK.

Do you read the pep talks that come from NaNoWriMo? They can be useful and inspirational, too. I remember one from a few years ago - I think it was Alan Dean Foster, but I don't remember. Anyway, he had gotten to one point where he was frustrated, so he called up his agent. "I can't do this any more. I hate my characters, I hate my setting, the plot is stupid... I don't think I can finish this novel."

"Good," said the agent. "That means you're on the edge of a breakthrough, and you're almost done!"

Turns out that the author went through this same kind of despair every single time. For as long as the author and the agent had been working together, the author would despair about his work sometime during the process. The agent had grown to recognize this as part of the author's routine, and knew that it was a sign they had another best-seller on their hands.

So if you're worrying about how the book is going, and that you don't think anyone will like it, just keep writing, anyway. You won't know for sure until it gets into the hands of your audience.

Oh, this is the thread for questions, isn't it? Here's a question - do you feel better now?

[Deepfreeze32]

You know what? You always will be your harshest critic. Since it's your creation, you'll be the first - and possibly the only - person to notice the little flaws and inconsistencies. But that's OK.

Do you read the pep talks that come from NaNoWriMo? They can be useful and inspirational, too. I remember one from a few years ago - I think it was Alan Dean Foster, but I don't remember. Anyway, he had gotten to one point where he was frustrated, so he called up his agent. "I can't do this any more. I hate my characters, I hate my setting, the plot is stupid... I don't think I can finish this novel."

"Good," said the agent. "That means you're on the edge of a breakthrough, and you're almost done!"

Turns out that the author went through this same kind of despair every single time. For as long as the author and the agent had been working together, the author would despair about his work sometime during the process. The agent had grown to recognize this as part of the author's routine, and knew that it was a sign they had another best-seller on their hands.

So if you're worrying about how the book is going, and that you don't think anyone will like it, just keep writing, anyway. You won't know for sure until it gets into the hands of your audience.

Was it this one by Neil Gaiman? Because that one resonated. lol

Oh, this is the thread for questions, isn't it? Here's a question - do you feel better now?

A bit...I'm just worried about being able to continue writing when I hit a full slump (I'm hitting a few now, which is my cue to switch plot points).


Anxiety from work (where it's looking like I might get fired because our stuff just loooooooves to fail on me and only me) isn't helping either.

[Sstavix]

Was it this one by Neil Gaiman? Because that one resonated. lol

Yep, that's the one! I don't know why I was thinking of Alan Dean Foster....

A bit...I'm just worried about being able to continue writing when I hit a full slump (I'm hitting a few now, which is my cue to switch plot points).

When all else fails, throw in the line "and then ninjas attacked!" and take it from there.

Anxiety from work (where it's looking like I might get fired because our stuff just loooooooves to fail on me and only me) isn't helping either.

That isn't good. Do you suspect sabotage? Or ninjas?

[Deepfreeze32]

I suspect sabotage by my boss. I'm not exactly on great terms with him at the moment (mostly hostility on his part, which encouraged apathy on mine), so I feel like he's just itching for an excuse to axe me from the team. Which is quite troubling.

[Sstavix]

I suspect sabotage by my boss. I'm not exactly on great terms with him at the moment (mostly hostility on his part, which encouraged apathy on mine), so I feel like he's just itching for an excuse to axe me from the team. Which is quite troubling.

So is he not a very good boss, and he's taking it out on you?

On the bright side, you can use this experience as fodder for your books!

[Chozon1]

You know, for my part, people make fun of Tolkien for having long, overwritten narrative and chapters full of fluff that aren't tied into the story, ETC...but that hasn't stopped him from not only being one of the most well sold fantasy authors ever, but also influencing the genre itself. You can't pull a cake halfway baked from the oven and know how it's going to taste, amirite?

The point is, turkey bacon isn't actually all that bad?

[Deepfreeze32]

I suspect sabotage by my boss. I'm not exactly on great terms with him at the moment (mostly hostility on his part, which encouraged apathy on mine), so I feel like he's just itching for an excuse to axe me from the team. Which is quite troubling.

So is he not a very good boss, and he's taking it out on you?

On the bright side, you can use this experience as fodder for your books!

I suppose so. I think he's mostly not used to managing inexperienced people. It's quite depressing, to say the least. :/

You know, for my part, people make fun of Tolkien for having long, overwritten narrative and chapters full of fluff that aren't tied into the story, ETC...but that hasn't stopped him from not only being one of the most well sold fantasy authors ever, but also influencing the genre itself. You can't pull a cake halfway baked from the oven and know how it's going to taste, amirite?

The point is, turkey bacon isn't actually all that bad?

You're correct, I just don't know if I have the writing talent necessary to make it tolerable. lol.

And Turkey Bacon is quite good. Not as good as the real thing, but a worthy substitute in my opinion.

[Chozon1]

There is no body part which can cause worse pain than a malfunctioning tooth?