What do you hate most about writing?

the first draft

I'm much better at editing any piece or paper, but I hate spitting out initial ideas because I'm just constantly judging them. I also found in college that I write much better if I've got some sort of rough 1-2 page "paper" printed out and I add alot to it by hand. I type really quickly but for some reason its just easier to get ideas down by hand.

There's nothing I hate about writing.

Now there are some things I dislike about the business of it, in particular: the brevity cult, the haughty non-published persons who gave up and took another job, and especially those who don't write telling you what people want to READ.

Yeah well, not that bad after all.

Picking which idea to write and FINISHING IT!!!
I have to disagree with the Blank Page thing though. It gives me a boost a "Come on! You can do this." boost. whereas when I'm close to finishing the page I go, "Ahh, its only a little bit more. I can do it some other time." It's a bad feeling.
I hate it when I don't phrase something right or when all my writing suddenly turns to mush. It's hard putting your thoughts on the page and making it work.
But I still like it. I wouldn't abandon writing. It gives me too much of a thrill.

"GREAT" expectations. lol. Half of the time I end up abandoning a potential idea; just due to the pressure of failing, coming up short. I'm a teensy bit of a perfectionist when it comes to writing, I physically can't bear to put something out I feel as being "sub-standard".

WRITERS BLOCK!!!!!I HATE IT WITH A PASSION cause when I get writers block it lasts for DAYS!!!!!

When someone reads what you wrote and say "Thats Great!" but in reallity you know that it sucks. Then you have to write it all over again.

harrypotterrox said:

When someone reads what you wrote and say "Thats Great!" but in reallity you know that it sucks. Then you have to write it all over again.

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I've belonged to writing groups and learned that I have no problems telling writers how I feel about their work. It's part of the bargain we make with each other as members of writing groups. I won't say it sucks or anything brutal like that. I will however sandwich negative comments around positive ones, though.

I have ideas it's just sitting down and writing something coherent and including details. I'm HORRIBLE at details.

Getting from Point A to Point B.

Many times, when I'm writing a fanfic I have great ideas for the big moments of the story...but often get stuck on how to write the stuff leading up to said moments. AKA, the blasted writer's block often hits me (It's amazing I haven't gotten a concussion yet :lol.

Trying to sell my books once they are published... so much time spent on that which could have been used for writing more books! GAH!!

The Drama

I wrote my first book a few months ago. I was only a technical writer for some hobbyist mags. This was a different and rather eye opening event in my life.
First off I found writing enough pages to make the book respectable was pretty overwhelming. Fifty thousand words don't take up as many pages as you would think. I looked at these 600 page monsters puzzled on why would anyone write that big of a book?

Then spell'n............. let alone keeping track of your own story through the entire book. I had to read and re-read many times to keep my story straight and accurate. Then the paperwork getting it printed and making sure your work is protected. It is a big deal.

Then when my family had seen the work for sale online, their expectations of it being great work scared me, or should I say scarred me. Then you get this sick feeling that someone will actually be reading your work which up until now was private. That in itself is a sobering experience. Why? I don't really know to be honest. Struck me as going to the Dentist or getting a D.R.E., not at all pleasant-LOL!

The worst part for me? I kept my mouth shut. I wanted to write a book because I had something to say and have been ill for sometime and I just never know when that day comes where I'm no longer valid. It shocked me that writing a book is a dream of many that work hard and get no where in this world. Most never will write a word. But it's a dream that keeps them sane. However, it's their dream and they don't want to hear that it was yours as well and you actually did achieve it. Pretty sad and I avoid any information from now on. If they see the work, I deny it's mine.

Sawyer said:

Then when my family had seen the work for sale online, their expectations of it being great work scared me, or should I say scarred me. Then you get this sick feeling that someone will actually be reading your work which up until now was private. That in itself is a sobering experience. Why? I don't really know to be honest. Struck me as going to the Dentist or getting a D.R.E., not at all pleasant-LOL!

The worst part for me? I kept my mouth shut. I wanted to write a book because I had something to say and have been ill for sometime and I just never know when that day comes where I'm no longer valid. It shocked me that writing a book is a dream of many that work hard and get no where in this world. Most never will write a word. But it's a dream that keeps them sane. However, it's their dream and they don't want to hear that it was yours as well and you actually did achieve it. Pretty sad and I avoid any information from now on. If they see the work, I deny it's mine.

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When ever I show some of my work to someone--I'm dreadfully nervous. What if it's not what they expected? what if they absolutely don't like it? say I'm terrible?
Fortunately for me they never did. And they I started thinking, what if they had? Of course I'd have hated it, but would it have stopped me? Not a chance. I love writing to much and know I don't have to be nervous. Still of course, you are.

One thing I don't understand, why won't you say something? I'd be screaming it of the roofs! I wouldn't keep silent and would never deny anything. It would be my work and I'd be proud of it. If there are people who are Jelous of me, well I'd just hope to inspire them enough to follow their own dreams, and not waste it away.
If you've done something as great as publishing your own book on which you spend so much time making....don't waste it away!


Sorry this may be a little off topic--though the thing I hate is nervousness--but I just had to say it!

Thanks

People tend to be weird and I don't like dealing with it. I guess so many are blowhards that brag about things of no real consequence that it makes it hard for the legit people.
I tried to avoid any talk of accomplishments. It either offends people or they start the one oneupmanship.
It would be nice to have your work appreciated for sure. I found kind words from non family and folks that do not know me. Like you said, it could go the other way too.

I see the literary giants of all time get 1 star ratings, so why should we the up and coming writers sweat it.
Thanks for your reply

Lord_Kiwi said:

When ever I show some of my work to someone--I'm dreadfully nervous. What if it's not what they expected? what if they absolutely don't like it? say I'm terrible?
Fortunately for me they never did. And they I started thinking, what if they had? Of course I'd have hated it, but would it have stopped me? Not a chance. I love writing to much and know I don't have to be nervous. Still of course, you are.

One thing I don't understand, why won't you say something? I'd be screaming it of the roofs! I wouldn't keep silent and would never deny anything. It would be my work and I'd be proud of it. If there are people who are Jelous of me, well I'd just hope to inspire them enough to follow their own dreams, and not waste it away.
If you've done something as great as publishing your own book on which you spend so much time making....don't waste it away!


Sorry this may be a little off topic--though the thing I hate is nervousness--but I just had to say it!

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Lord_Kiwi said:

One thing I don't understand, why won't you say something? I'd be screaming it of the roofs! I wouldn't keep silent and would never deny anything. It would be my work and I'd be proud of it. If there are people who are Jelous of me, well I'd just hope to inspire them enough to follow their own dreams, and not waste it away.

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I am sure there are many reasons why a person may not want to say something.
Some, like me, may not want celebrity. I want people to read and connect with what I have to say, but I do not want anyone to know who I am. I am not comfortable around most people. I enjoy my solitude. That is what keeps me sane.

Everything that has ever been written by me and then published, was published with another name. Same goes for the novel that is currently in an editors hand.

The only works I let friends read were the shortstories and one of the kids books before they were published and didn't even had a title.


I don't want anyone to know that I can write pretty disturbing stuff besides childrens books. ;-)

Sawyer said:

People tend to be weird and I don't like dealing with it. I guess so many are blowhards that brag about things of no real consequence that it makes it hard for the legit people.
I tried to avoid any talk of accomplishments. It either offends people or they start the one oneupmanship.
It would be nice to have your work appreciated for sure. I found kind words from non family and folks that do not know me. Like you said, it could go the other way too.

I see the literary giants of all time get 1 star ratings, so why should we the up and coming writers sweat it.
Thanks for your reply

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If you are ok with not telling anyone, I can understand it. Every one is different, and if some don't want the attention or want people to see the words and not the writer there will always be people who like it the other way around. I never really published anything (except if you count the schoolnews paper) but I intend too. I guess when that happens I'll know for sure what you mean.
But till then I'll just talk the head off anyone who ask about my writing!

Sound idea

I have thought about doing that as well. My main object is to write and have people enjoy it. For me I don't foresee many dollars coming out of it. It's a different world and books do not sell as well as in the days of limited media.
Especially If your not backed by a big publisher. The idea is sound and your not hiding. It's that you want the focus on the book and not you.

Sleepy said:

Everything that has ever been written by me and then published, was published with another name. Same goes for the novel that is currently in an editors hand.

The only works I let friends read were the shortstories and one of the kids books before they were published and didn't even had a title.


I don't want anyone to know that I can write pretty disturbing stuff besides childrens books. ;-)

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My answer :

Although I don't hate writing, I think finding what works and realizing what doesn't is hard, not to mention being accused of plagiarism.

mcilroga said:

The blank page. It's horrible, it's mocking. Once you open with something half good on that blank page, the rest is flowers...

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i actually disagree. i love playing God. when i look at what i just wrote and think of how it was before (a blank sheet) i'm like "haha. i just CREATED that. it wasn't there before..."

but what i hate most about writing is making it perfect. you're always striving for perfect EVERYTHING but really, it's impossible because you can't please everyone.

...the thoughts that "there are already enough books in the world" and already enough people insane enough to sit down and write them... and shouldn't I be out doing something more meaningful than adding to the deluge of words words words that already exist?

...also the gripping feeling that no one will ever read what I write...

...most action requires deep forgetting...