Bothering me

[govcampbell]

I just got out of the shower (everyone knows you do your best thinking there), and while I was in there, I realized what's been bugging me about my writing all of a sudden.

I feel pressure.

Ever since DTR sprun open an explosion of positive comments, and particuallarly after I discovered I was up for Best of the Best awards, I've become worried about maintaining the level of talent. I'm suddenly concerned that this chapter isn't as good as the last one. I'm worried that my plot will suddenly seem contrived or cliche, and people won't like it.

In short, I'm forgetting why I started writing in the first place.

I need to remember I'm writing for me, (and for Sara, who enjoys anything I write). And I need to remember not to worry if people think it's cliche, or canned, or stale. If I'm enjoying it, that's what matters.

I also need to get a grip. C'mon, what in fandom ISN'T getting cliche, canned or stale nowadays. I mean, yes there are excellent writers who make it work, but at this point, there's almost nothing new under the sun. Unless you want to get really freaky with your pairings. (Which I don't)

So, I need to stop worry about whether my readers will think where I'm going with some of my plot is silly. It's not really silly. I mean, yes, there are people who object to Original Characters. There are people who object to too much romance. There always will be. But I shouldn't let that stop me from having fun. And besides, somebody's bound to like it.

Fanfiction should be about last on the list of things to stress about. I've got more important things in my life right now. Like a wedding.

Comments

[arasnaem.livejournal.com]

Darn straight that you write for me! Never forget, that's how this whole adventure started.

Don't stress over writing, either. It's always been something fun that relaxes you. Keep enjoying it. Besides, I stress enough for both of us!

[aggiebell90]

*pats you*

Join the club, hon. :D I think that everyone who writes has had similar feelings at some time or another...and if they haven't, it'll happen soon enough.

I think part of all that is why I like to write Neville. There aren't that many people as obsessed about him as I am (heck, I seriously doubt there's anyone as obsessed about him as I am). So I don't have to worry so much about people writing the same thing I'm writing. And while I guess Neville/Susan Bones (my current fave ship) is technically a "Rare Pair," it's not one of those weird, out-there ones, so I figure I'm OK. *grin*

I think you've got a great attitude about the whole thing, really. Just keep it in perspective like you're doing, and you'll be fine. Real Life ^TM is more important.

[kadath.livejournal.com]

Nothing you write now will never be as bad as what we were doing in high school.

[govcampbell.livejournal.com]

That much is probably true. I still have some of that stuff floating around somewhere. I ran across RPG profiles for several characters while cleaning out the hard drive of my computer. Habib's used speeders...those were the days.

[kadath.livejournal.com]

Thank you for ignoring my horrible grammar mistake.

[govcampbell.livejournal.com]

No problem. I knew what you meant.