Clarification on my quitting "My Summer's Sunset" · 7:09am May 23rd, 2014
So I made a blog post awhile back where I announced I was quitting fic writing, but I didn't fully clarify why...So I feel I owe it to you guys to explain why.
Basically my life is filled with stress, and the fic is causing even more stress...This fic was going to be my one great fic, the one I could proudly show people...I've written popular fics before, but I'm not proud of them cause they are clopfics that were written purely for shock value. I'm not proud of them in any way shape or form. I wanted to write a fic I WAS proud of. And I was proud of My Summer's Sunset...But then I wrote myself into a hole. And even though people gave me some ideas I just couldn't make them work in the fic no matter how hard I tried...Where do I go from here? The fic has hit a wall, the only thing I could think to do was skip ahead to late in their relationship but I didn't want to do that. So basically I was stuck and I couldn't get out of it.
But this fic haunts me...Even if I continued writing it would anyone care? Maybe 5 people, but it will never be what it could have been. It's a failure and I can't stop feeling bad...I wanna see it finished, but now I feel it's futile to even bother...
This was going to be my one fic I could be proud of, but...Nope...All cause of my shitty writing.
Anyway, that's the story...Hope it makes sense, I'm tired and slightly drunk. So...Yeah.
I think you're giving up too early. There are several ways out of holes if you think about it and focus on the situation. For example, I think one easy way to solve it (IMHO) is adding more characters and subplots. While I understand this is purely about anon and Sunset, having the perspective of other characters also helps to see the relationship from a distance. Likewise, placing it in first-person can be limiting as well.
Of course, all writing is an exercise, and sometimes one just cannot pull it off (I once wrote a couple of lemon fics, but found that I'm horrid at it, so I don't do it anymore) and playing to ones strength is acceptable. Even still, you are trying to break beyond the bounds of what you normally do, and I always urge that in other authors.
I'd say it's still too early to give up. The story might need to be overhauled or rewritten, but two chapters in is hardly a point at which to give up.
2137830
I have a policy of never re-writing a story. But I agree that the story needs some sort of overhaul. But I really don't know how to overhaul the story.
I'm really breaking the bonds of what I know though...I'm trying to write about something I know NOTHING about. Relationships. So that's what makes this so tough.
I don't really want to quit writing, but at the same time the stress of writing this is killing me.
2137830
Additionally, I do agree this needs more characters and subplots, but the way I've written this has kind of prevented that from being a possibility it seems.
As much as I want the story continued, it sounds like a final decision.
Of course, I would care!
2137905
Possibly. But I can't get this story out of my mind. I want it finished. So maybe not.
Let me tell you one thing for sure.
You are NOT a shitty writer. A lot of the stress the story is giving you and all the stress life gives you [we all go through that, so you're not alone there] exists because--for the stress and pressure from the story part--you love the story you have written and created, and you just don't want to know it will never be finished because you're so proud of it, given your aim for it to be something popular OTHER than a clopfic.
It's highly respectful of you to be turning this down and looking for someone else to take it over for you. Trusting someone else with what you have created takes a shitton of guts, and just the fact that you're leaving it says a lot about you. A lot of good, and barely any bad, from what I can gather.
*Huggies* You're a great guy
More than five fans. Count me as a fan who cares and would read the fic. In fact, I like the fic much
I understand you being in a rut right now, but that's no reason to give up. You can do it, even if you have to take a hiatus now until you're inspired again
2139901 same here
2137914 Listen to me my friend, I am a failed writer and I am here as well as other sight to improve my writing and I can tell you that you are not a "Shitty writer". Trust me when I say this, I know you have doubts about your work and if it is any good but we all do.
I love my writing and I want to improve that is why I am still here, "On-line" But don't feel bad if your writing is only making you stressed then I think it would be selfish of us to want you to continue. What ever you decide I will certainly respect it.
Know that I like your story and I wish you the best for the future.
Good luck and best wishes.