《How to Write Stories People Will Love》24. Read Big Magic
Advertisement
Very few things rock my world when I read them. Most of the time, when I read something inspirational, I'm like, "Okay, that's nice. What's next?"
One day, when I was wrestling with self-doubt and bemoaning the sad state of my creativity, someone suggested I read Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear, by Elizabeth Gilbert. I said okay, and found it at the local library, not expecting much.
In short, it blew me away. Blew. Me. Away. This book completely upended the way I look at my writing. I was gunning hard at traditional publishing and stressing myself out, thinking if I didn't get a publisher, then my writing was worthless.
If you're a victim of this way of thinking, if you believe that your writing is only as good as the number of readers you have, then pay attention: You are placing a needless burden on your writing. Whenever we place such critical expectations on our writing, our creativity takes a hit. Muses are flighty things that come and go as they please, and they definitely do not like stressful environments. It's not about what writing can get you, it's about how writing makes you feel.
This literally changed my life. I stopped participating in pitch contests, which were distracting me from actually writing. (Pitch contests involve trying to convince agents to read your story, and possibly represent you.) I stopped researching agents (again, distracting me from writing). I stopped worrying over whether my manuscript was good enough. Because in this context, "good enough" varies from agent to agent, and your focus starts straying away from what was originally good enough for you.
This is just a small tidbit of what this book taught me. There is so much more. It was because of Big Magic that I joined Wattpad, for a more relaxed venue to share my work. I no longer stress out when I can't get my story right. I'll be sad about it, sure, but like all skills--including art--I know I'll get better with practice.
Advertisement
Big Magic inspired a lot of the "chicken soup" portions of "How To Write Stories People Will Love". I try to share its wisdom because I think it's important to remember why we write. To not let writing become this monster that haunts you. To avoid writing as a source of frustration, fear, or depression. We are writers. So let go of the expectations. Let go of "is it good enough", and just write. Find your voice. Find your joy.
Write because you love it.
Advertisement
The Exiled Villainess Returns
(Please heed the warnings above before reading) Reborn into the beautiful but deadly world of Ethetia, she comes to a sudden awareness that she is now Livia Katrina Valentine, a character of a game of a reverse harem she once played on Earth called Aster Academy: The Feuding Houses. But this revelation comes a bit too late. You see, Livia wasn't just anyone. She was not given the anonymity of being a background character, or even the blessing of being the heroine. Instead, she has bestowed the role of being the atrocious villainess. And that is exactly what she had been. As a result, Livia triggers her own death flag event at her debutante. Her memories of her past life have the grace to come only minutes before she is accused of poisoning the heroine, Amelia. But all is not helpless. Via last-minute intervention, Livia successfully manages to avoid having her head decapitated. Being exiled was a small price to pay for retaining a pulse. Plus, at least this way, Livia can finally start to live her life, to become more than just a cruel folly. Her exile should have been a new but unusual beginning to her story. But pitiless reality comes knocking. Ethetia had once only been a background setting in a game. A pretty and still picture that mostly went disregarded as the even prettier characters on the screen unloaded their dialogue, but now, it was Livia's world. As real and wonderous as planet Earth once had been, filled with small creatures with their own wills, ambitions, and needs. Such one creature decides that exile was not enough of a penalty. That Livia, the bullish and jealous tormentor of the heroine, deserves a fate more befitting of her past deeds. One worst than death. Livia's fate is ripped out of her hands. She is forced into a collar, sold to an empire rotten with greed, and placed inside a harem where she is expected to wither and die from the inside out. But Livia refuses to be forgotten. Burning with a deep rage against those who only wish to see her fall into her own grave, Livia makes a twisted promise to herself. A promise that pushes her through the darkest moments of her life and brings to light a newfound power rooted deep inside her. So keen to discard her as the villain she has once been, the little creatures in their own ignorance brought forth something they could never dream to fathom. A beacon of darkness.
8 149Homicidal Aliens are Invading and All I Got is This Stat Menu
ON INDEFINITE HIATUS This story (and any others I write) now has a DISCORD! Thousands of people around the globe randomly find themselves "hosts" for alien technology that allows them to alter their minds and bodies in an instant through holographic menu systems. With the touch of a button, any of the hosts can become super strong, gain magical abilities, purchase a giant robot, or become a master in any of an almost infinite number of skills that range from advanced combat techniques to fidget-spinning. However, the hosts also become targets for nightmarish, shape-shifting creatures that have come to Earth following the newfound extraterrestrial tech. The menu systems can grant their hosts great power, but it may not be enough to survive the horde of murderous beings hunting them down.
8 204The Dungeon Crawler's Academy
In a time past, an ancient void threatened all of reality. Defeated by Gods and Heroes, what now remains of the surviving worlds has settled into a relative peace. The 'Final Reality', also known as the Ninth Reality, has become the last bastion of life. A conglomerate existence stitched together from what remained of the past, present, and future.Now, within this world made of worlds and its many moving pieces, a young alchemist aspires to find his place amongst the twists and turns of the realm he calls home. What fate might plan for him is unknown, but his first steps? Enrolling in the prestigious DCA, a school dedicated to training freelance adventurers.© All Rights Reserved
8 186Cloud Shrouding the Sky
Everyone will gain a blessing from God when they reach the age of 10. As an orphan I, Cloud, also went to the temple as the others when I reach the age of 10. When I was about to get the blessing, I met God. God tell me that he got something extra because my evolved soul. Later I learnt that what I got was a cheat skill. With this cheat skill i will be able to create a better future, if i can get into it. But really, kicked out from the orphanage and living on slums, not getting any job because my age and skills. Forced to pickpocket nobles and merchant with risk of getting arrested, sold as a slave or even executed. What a life, the future is bright but the present is so bleak that i almost blind. Then she came into my life, although it is i who first save her from danger but later on she gave me all i can ask for. A job with good pay, a place to stay, even her father sent me to the world famous Academy with her. She is my lady of luck, all skill i got was because i met her. Without her, even with cheat skill probably i wont be the present me. She changed my present and ensure my bright future. Right now i pledge that i will always stay by her side and guarantee her hapiness as her servant or companion. With me, Cloud, here even the sky were to fall dont you even have a slighest worry because i will definiteley protect you. This is my first time writing a story, i dont know if you guys will receive it well or not. I started to read LN from NU and RL, and it enchanted me. But unfortunately the author and translator are humans too so they couldnt keep up with my reading rate. From what i had read, i started to imagine what if the world like this, or what if this character had an ability like this or what if the decision the character made was different than the stories. All of that keep coming up as i read, and then a few weeks ago i started to write what i imagine into a new story. Through writing the story i learnt that making a story isnt as easy as imagine. I must think of name, plot, character personalities, the environment, etc. Then one day i decided, fuck it lets post it first and see how it is going to be. To tell you the truth i like chinese martial arts story better but i cant make chinese name since i dont know the language. I learnt from the internet that creating a random name in Chinese is dangerous so i make this story to be Japanese like western story. But i still want to add martial arts and cultivation element to it. I will write what my imagine is like, something will be changed along the way thats for sure but i hope you guys will understand it. Each chapter will at least have 1500 words but i am not so good at english so correct me if there is something wrong with my grammar. I post this so that i can share what i imagine. One last thing, i like OP Main Character and although i dont hate training plot but i dont like weak main character. I hope you like what i write, any critics and suggestion is welcomed so write it on comment section so we can discuss it with the others. Warning For you guys that dont like OP Main Character, bad language, violence, and maybe in the future there will be NSFW content, dont read it For those who seek perfection, you wont find it here Strategy, Business Management, Trickery not my forte so dont seek it here but i will try to make it if possible Character skills will randomly appear as i tried to think what op skill i want for my character so bear with it Plot will be good, well i hope so if not then bear with it
8 902Dolor
So this is death...? I... Wish this moment would last forever... this is bliss in its purest form... why do humans fear this feeling? [The Slothful Moon Goddess intervenes with your curse!]
8 224Echoing Call Of Loneliness
Did you know that mythic beings live in the ocean? Well now you do and this story is about the 'last' siren and his troubles when he is discovered. What will happen to this poor creature? It all depends on the sea gods and their plans for him.
8 53