《How to Write Stories People Will Love》11. Deal With Fear
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It is normal to be scared. Fear is hardwired into our brains. Every writer feels it. It can get in our way, paralyze us. Make us do strange things.
When I first began writing seriously, I created a password-protected folder on the computer and hid all my work in there. I did not want anyone reading my work. What if someone read it and thought it was stupid? How embarrassing!
Eventually I realized I was the one being stupid. There are no kids in the house, and the other people in the household have better things to do than snoop into my writing. I promptly removed the password protection.
The worst fear we struggle with as writers is that nasty little voice that whispers things like, "Is this the best you can do? There are so many people better than you! You're never going to be as good as them. Why bother? Just give up."
Some people are born with a natural talent, some aren't. But in both cases, they have to put in the work to get better. They both start off as crappy writers and learn how to do better. Some learn faster than others, but the fact remains you need to put in the work to improve.
The next time you read some impressive writing and you feel that troll inside you starting to raise its ugly head, stop yourself. Remind yourself (and that troll): This writer is this good because they put in the work. They used to be where I am now. I can be this good, too, if I put in the work.
This is the most paralyzing fear of all. You stop sharing your work because you're afraid what people will say. The thing about being a published writer is it's a very public thing. You regularly expose your work to public opinion. And the thing about public opinion is it's ridiculously varied. Remember my chapter saying you can't please everyone? This is a vital concept for you to memorize. Repeat it to yourself until you believe it. YOU CAN'T PLEASE EVERYONE.
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Every now and then, I'll pick up a best-selling book to see what the hoopla is about. Maybe I'll learn a thing or two from these "amazing" authors who have "hit it big". About 80% of the time, I put the book down before I even reach the halfway point. Maybe it's a character I can't stand, or maybe there's too much description for my liking. There's always something. With so many books to read in the world, I'm not going to waste my time on something that annoys me. More often than not, I'll find myself enjoying the endeavors of a first-time author no one's ever heard of.
That author could be you.
Different people like different things. When you expect that there will always be people who dislike your work, then the blow isn't so hard when their criticisms reach your ears. Accept this fact, and remember the other side of that coin: That there will always be people who do like your work.
This is a tough hurdle for novices. The whole point of a critique is to point out flaws that need fixing. And trust me, no one wants all their flaws pointed out. The first time I received complete feedback on my first novel, I pouted in the corner for two days.
The thing we need to remind ourselves is this: The flaw is in the work, not in our selves. It takes repeated exposure for this to sink in. You are more than your work.
On the third day, I took a step back and reread the feedback objectively for what it was. When I separated my pain away from it all, I was actually able to see what the person was talking about. "Come to think of it, she actually does sound a little whiny," or "I hadn't realized how little description there is for this setting." What's wrong is pieces of my story, which I can change. There's nothing actually wrong with me.
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We can't improve our skillset if we don't seek out what's wrong with our first draft. So do it. Get feedback. It'll hurt, but each time it'll hurt a little less. The first few times, read it and allow yourself to pout. Give yourself a few days to push away the pain. Then go back and read it again. Remember that this is about improving your work. This is what the good writers do. If you want to be one of them, then you must do it, too.
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To Play With Magic
My name is Alexis Everette. I'm the only daughter of Earth's greatest hero. My dad is a normal man, but he's still my greatest hero. While he may be normal, I can bend the elements to my whim and have power over space and time. Of course, that's who I am at the end of the story. There's a lot I have to go through to get there. And even with all the power I gain... The world ends on a Tuesday. ... This is currently a completed story arc, though it's not the end. New updates are starting March 28, 2022. Actively updating. Mostly on Mondays/Thursdays. WARNING: FLAWED MC and not great early writing. Edits are on the list. ... *LitRPG-Isekai start with a return to Earth to stop the System apocalypse goal. Still a first draft, but with a bunch of edits from you guys thrown in. Thanks for that. Guaranteed updates on Monday and Thursday. This story is only available on RoyalRoad and my Patreon. If you find it anywhere else, please reach out to me. Thank you. Old cover provided by Asviloka. She's also does werds!Current cover provided by Fuyudust. Old synopsis "Hi, my name is Alexis," I say into the camera, as I attempt to calm my nerves."And I'm Sab," I hear my best friend add from beside me. It's good to have her there, it's been far too long."I'm trying to focus," I tell Sab as I look into the camera. Will anyone even watch this?"What, just cause I didn't get sent to another world, where magic and dragons are real, I don't get to be a part of this?" she questions me. I can hear the hurt in her voice. I wish she'd been there. Things might have been... different. I can't believe I thought it was a game. If it had been, she'd have been the better choice."I said I was sorry. It's not like I knew I was going to be kidnapped by the system," I lamely apologize. She deserves more, but this is important."Coming soon, to an earth near you," she might be making light, but I can hear the fear in her voice."It's not funny Sab. It really is coming," I can't help but reply to her words, even though I know she didn't mean it."Come on Lexi, it's a little funny." she tries while chuckling nervously."Sigh. Look, can we just get back to telling them?" I ask, pointing at the laptop."Sure, but first you should show them some magic," Sab declares while waving her arms around."I told you. It's not that simple. I only showed you because you could tell it wasn't fake. They'd just think it was special effects," or come after me to try to lock me in a basement."Yeah, well they're not going to believe you anyway. It sounds pretty crazy, even to me. And I've seen what you can do," she proclaims. I didn't think it was that special, but she was super impressed by my magical abilities."Maybe, but I have to try. We don't have much time," I state as I stop the recording, before starting a new one."Hello, my name is Alexis," I pronounce, projecting as much confidence as I can at the little camera."Remember, the world ends on a Tuesday."
8 195The Hunter - Trilogy
“Start talking.” Ullir said.“Go to hell.” The scaly alien spat.“You have always underestimated me.” Ullir said and touched the alien's arm with the Light sword and he screamed. “You believe that I hold your lives in high regard, and you couldn't be farther from the truth. You are scum. The worst of the worst.” He said and slowly moved the Light sword through the alien's arm, who screamed again. I publish daily with occasional breaks between books. Preliminary cover by me.The first book (Star Wars like, 777 pages, part one) is done. A complete rewrite / retelling / massive expansion / using some of the ideas from Reborn Into Starwars, Summoned into Fantasy by TTT144. With permission, I made it my own. I've actually created a whole new universe for it.The second book (Fantasy, 1,348 pages, part two) is done, and characters from the first book are in it, crossing scifi and fantasy.The third book (Scifi, 1,983 pages, part three) is done, and characters from the first and possibly second books are in it.
8 142World of Dungeons (Cancelled.)
The rewrite is here: https://royalroadl.com/fiction/12679/insect-dungeon-vs-the-world Synopsis: Follow The Mc and his derail fairy helper from hell, as they solve the mysteries related to organizations trying to one shot them. while they also taking care of their dwindling resources and expensive monsters and greedy humans.
8 195The Emperor's Chef
"Cook like your life depends on it, kid. Because it does." Charles had an enviable future lined up for him. Training from the age of five by some of the finest chefs in the world. Schooling at a top culinary academy in the capital. An honorable position as heir to House Boulier, a line of merchant-lords who have charmed the rich and powerful with their cooking for centuries. And in a single night, it all burned to ash. When the outbreak of war destroys his hometown, Charles is charged with escorting his family’s sacred treasure—a recipe book passed down for untold generations—out of harm's way. But his simple mission grows complicated when he’s captured by one of the most feared battalions in the world: the Spears of Mercy. Life as a prisoner in their war camp is brutal and uncertain. Charles has few allies and even fewer strengths to rely on. Only his skills in the culinary arts, honed over a lifetime in the kitchen, are deemed useful enough to keep him alive another day. But he’s not out of hope just yet. With a dash of wit, a pinch of luck, and some very creative cooking, he might just find a way to recover his family’s legacy and take back his freedom. This project is a food-themed fantasy that centers on cooking and chefs. The setting spans a wide world featuring ingredients/recipes both real and inspired by traditional fantasy. I'll eventually be publishing it as a full-length novel (or series of novels depending on length). These are the first draft chapters. I'll likely be re-writing more than once, then editing before publishing, so impressions and feedback are quite welcome. If you like the story so far and you're interested in being an early reviewer for the final product, feel free to message me. I'm looking for an artist to make some concept art and a cover (the cover shown here is just a temporary placeholder). A stand-alone novel for now, but it may turn into a series down the road.
8 185Geist
Once an abandoned orphan living in the slums, John Smith was conscripted by powers that be as one of countless recruits supporting Humanity relentless expansion into the stars and beyond. However, series of unexplained catastrophes pushed Humanity to the brink of extinction. Being a (un)lucky recruit, John Smith was thus thrusted into the very forefront of secret wars across space and time. How would John Smith survive the onslaught? Greetings! This is another story I intend to continue albeit at irregular update schedule although it is planned to release at least one chapter per week. Chapter length varies from 2K to 3K words per elapsed day and will contain grammar mistakes. Please understand that there will be mistakes. Original image credited to geralt (pixabay.com) and subsequently modified.
8 195Underground
Ava, an innocent small-town girl, gets sucked into the world of underground fighting when she catches the eye of Shawn Michaels, the irresistibly hot reigning champion. *****Ava McAdams isn't sure what to expect when she moves to Boston for college. Her sheltered upbringing leaves her exposed to a harsher world, and one complicated male in particular -- Shawn Michaels, the tattooed and intimidating underground fighter who is nothing like anyone she has ever met before. But is falling for him worth the risk of knowing she might lose him every time he enters the ring?[word count: 100,000 - 150,000 words]Cover designed by Ren T
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