So, worked on my original fiction for a bit...

[ladyofleithian]

...and I'll admit that at the risk of whining, I will freely admit that if nothing else, I'm kind of scared of possibly being unoriginal. I mean, maybe it's not a big deal and everything, but even so, there's this niggling itch at the back of my head that says, "You'd better start shaping up your draft soon because it's not looking super original so far!" Which is stupid; I mean, come on, it's only the first draft, but I'll admit that I'm kind of worried all the same. *Sighs* I guess it just doesn't help in regards to some overemphasizing the necessity of plot. There's no wrong or right way to write a story, I guess, but I guess I'm worrying about the story I'm telling being thinner than...I don't know, string cheese, I guess.

*Sighs*

I guess I shouldn't worry too much. I mean, I should probably try and not let the little things screw with my self-confidence, but I'll admit, it's easier said than done. I've mostly been going around and collecting little things that pop into my head and using them for my story -- I can't say I really have much of a plot outside the ordinary "save the world" thing, but it's not bugging me as much as it did last year. I think the only thing that really bugs me, in all honesty, is that what if people don't find it interesting. Silly thing to worry about, but it bugs me. That and me generally worrying about the future. I guess I shouldn't. And yet I do.

Honestly, I think that's the really weird thing in regards to writing stories and everything. I know some people out there who prize good plots overall in stories, but in terms for me, plots aren't really what I start with. I mostly start with a character; hell, I come for the plots, but I stay for the characters, really. Mostly, though, the plot's been kind of a work-in-progress for me. I guess there's no wrong or right way (heh) to write a story, but still...I still kind of worry about skimping on the plot part.

On a lighter note, I'm starting to like my protagonist, at least. A part of me's also worrying about her being weak, but overall, I like her. I guess the problem is that I'm really damn worried about getting everything right on the first try, which is pretty rare. I guess I should just focus on getting it written and let the rest take care of itself...I guess good luck telling my inner editor that. :P 

So, enough of my writer-related angst. How are you guys?

Comments

[(Anonymous)]

Hey bb I know how you feel, but no story is truly original right? Everything's been done before, it's more how you make it yours that makes it original in my opinion.

[lady-leia-solo.livejournal.com]

Hey bb I know how you feel, but no story is truly original right? Everything's been done before, it's more how you make it yours that makes it original in my opinion.

[kitanabychoice.livejournal.com]

Ahh, orig fic. I often struggled with the "I'm not original enough" story and then I think... fuck it. If Stephanie Meyers can write a vampire romance that rakes in billions and her vampires do nothing special but sparkle, then hell. I can write whatever I damn well please.

I totally agree with you on the character thing, though. I always think about a character I want to write in a certain situation -- like most of my ideas come from me going "you know, I'd love to write about a person who has X, or does Y", but then I find myself lacking in enough plot to really write anything substantial. :|

[zelda-queen.livejournal.com]

Ohhh, you're writing original stories? :D Good luck!

And for what it's worth, don't let those thoughts get you down. I think every writer gets them. I know I do. I think the best advice came from Anne Lamot, who wrote in her essay "Shitty First Drafts" to not be afraid of writing something terrible in one's first draft. After all, no one's going to see it but you. Just write it, she said, and then tweak it as needed. Even if only one sentence of what you wrote ends up being kept, it's still something.

If you don't mind my asking, what sort of a story are you writing? :)

[phemyscira.livejournal.com]

If it makes you feel better, this dude on my creative writing course said lots of authors believe characters drive plot and plot drives character because those two things are inter-connected within the story, so I'm sure if you've got some solid characters the good plot will follow. I would not pick up a book unless one of its characters appealed to me, so I don't think you'll have much to worry about. :)

[falconwhitaker.livejournal.com]

Your story is original because it's your story. Nobody has told that tale before in quite the way that you will. It may be like other stories – it may have elements that resemble other stories – but it is still YOUR story, different from any other.

So punch that little voice in the face and keep on truckin'. :)