《How to Write Stories People Will Love》14. Recognize Can't Versus Won't
Advertisement
If you're like most writers, you have at some point read something amazing, and then felt like utter crap because it was so much better than what you write now. Perhaps you even said, "I could never write like that." If you keep saying things like that, it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.
These types of thoughts contribute to a type of paralysis. You stop writing because you think it's rubbish. And if you can't be brilliant, then why bother?
No one is born being good at anything except crying and pooping. We learn how to be good at everything else. You want to write better? Then put in the work and learn how. Practice. Read examples of good writing. Practice some more. Get feedback. You CAN write the way you want to, if you put in the work. You just have to want it.
You can. You had the gumption to start the thing, you certainly have the wherewithal to finish it. Starting something is easier than finishing it, that's true. However, it doesn't mean you can't do it. You have the physical capacity to do it, so there's no "can't" about it. You just don't want it badly enough.
Get help. It's a sad fact of life--for every writer--that we are simply too close to our own work to recognize the flaws. With observations from a neutral third party, the problems become apparent, and that's how we figure out what to fix. Refusing to seek help simply means you don't want to hear about the flaws. If that's the case, then you'll never improve.
The next time you find yourself saying you can't do something, stop and ask yourself, "Is this actually true, or am I just being impatient?" In most cases, you can do it, and are just having a hard time finding the will to make it happen.
Advertisement
- In Serial41 Chapters
Sing Crier
Virtual reality MMORPGs have become a cultural phenomenon; a cynical 14-year-old girl plays the most popular of them with two controllers, controlling two characters at once. She promptly commits a crime against humanity, dies, learns the meaning of life, and then is reincarnated as both of her characters, Sing and Crier. The following is an edgy adventure of survival, relationships, and growth into adulthood in a world where everything is trying to kill her. This story is undergoing streamlining. Features such as Chapter Recaps and Reference Marks are also actively being added to earlier chapters. Be advised, your reading experience may be impacted.
8 192 - In Serial48 Chapters
Easygoing Sect Leader
Suddenly waking up without explanation in the body of a cultivation sect leader, 23-year-old student Aki ends up in quite the bind. Luckily he has one special skill: The ability to bullshit his way through anything. His confident and mysterious smile manages to convince everyone of his sagely wisdom, so no one suspects a thing! Aki however faces a big issue – no one in this sect knows how to relax! They all believe in ironclad discipline, ascetic ways and casting off all mortal comforts in the singular pursuit of cultivation. How can Aki convince them to relax and try the joys of life? What to expect from this novel: A light-hearted take on cultivation, featuring a lot of making up silly techniques. Sect development/economics will be treated more seriously. There will eventually be some romance in this, but it will take some time to get there. New chapters on Thursdays and Sundays. Cover art by risukasa_nen
8 214 - In Serial15 Chapters
The World System
James Harbor was on his way home from a night shift when his world and his SUV was turned sideways, literally, by a giant beast. With a dark sense of humor, a fair bit of intelligence, and scorn for his fellow man dont expect our protaginist to be a sefless sacrificing hero out to save the world from itself. Instead join a man driven by his whims and given an unexpected headstart in the race for survival. ------------ This story is going to be refined slowly as I write new chapters, cleaning up grammar, typos, repeats, elements placed wrong, etc, I do my own proof-reading which is far from perfect so expect older chapters to be updated frequently with revisions. Release schedule will probably be at least 1 chapter a week.
8 177 - In Serial92 Chapters
Strongest Tree
The Goddess Gaia sacrifice herself to protect humanity but all she can do is buy some time for humans and other creature on earth to grow strong enough to protect theirselves from the greedy eyes of other Gods. ---- Hope that you will support my novel, thank you
8 85 - In Serial37 Chapters
Unwanted Company
Welcome to the System.Initiation in progress. Time remaining: 3425678 units. Converting. 96 local minutes.Please use this time to complete your Identity Sheet. This is how Chuck's life change A loner by choice and upbringing, Chuck is torn between the lessons his father taught him and the advice his mother gave him as he finds himself dealing with figuring out how this new world works while being stuck with more people than he's had to deal with in all his life
8 158 - In Serial9 Chapters
Stargazer
It's 4078, and you'd expect that humanity would have gone on, remade their infrastructure, and go net-zero carbon by now. Nope, us fleshy apes like our concrete towers sticking into the sky. There are these two countries near the Artic called North Hath and South Hath. South-Hath is rich in minerals, elves, resources, natural beauty, and most importantly; magic. North-Hath, on the other hand, is a barren wasteland but much larger. A girl named Wylinoris; with a past she can't remember quite well, lives in one of the coastal cities of North-Hath. But all that is about to change with a short gal named Giethi.
8 130

