Comments on: Bethany: Ideas, they always seem better in my head*

By: The Trick of Writing « Words and Coffee

The Trick of Writing « Words and Coffee — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 21:12:14 +0000

[...] The secret to succeeding as a writer, if you believe what you see on various writing blogs and in writing books, is to methodically pound out the words, revise, rewrite and persevere. That’s true, but it doesn’t get at the underlying challenge: getting your readers to see that thing you saw in your head that prompted you to write in the first …. [...]

By: Cathy

Cathy — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 11:30:40 +0000

i believe it’s from ‘a room of one’s own’ i like what she says about the shape keeping you going. that is exactly what did it for me to ‘finish’ my first big project recently. i tend to be more of a poet and short-short fiction writer myself.

By: Jen

Jen — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 03:26:53 +0000

When I was working on my novel, years ago (a project that all but convinced me that I am, after all, more a poet than a fiction writer, though I did manage to finish the monster of a first draft just before my son was born) I had this quote above my desk:

“It is worth mentioning, for future reference, that the creative power which bubbles so pleasantly in beginning a new book quiets down after a time, and one goes on more steadily. Doubts creep in. Then one becomes resigned. Determination not to give in, and the sense of an impending shape keep one at it more than anything.” — Virginia Woolf

I’m not sure what Woolf piece it’s from, but I find it to be eminently true. When those doubts crept up into my own writing, I’d take comfort in her articulation of what I was feeling (and fearing). I found that quite comforting. Perhaps you will as well.

By: Cathy

Cathy — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 20:31:49 +0000

that is excellent advice. i’ve talked my way out of a myriad of projects…

By: Kristine

Kristine — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 17:22:39 +0000

Good to see you back here, Bethany.

Good luck with your new idea. Push that fear out of the door (or at least send it on a long vacation) and get that idea on paper.

Have you ever read “On Writing” by Stephen King? He’s a big believer in writing the first draft with the door shut, a concept I agree with 100%. Don’t talk about your idea. Just write about it.

By: Dee Thompson

Dee Thompson — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 15:28:47 +0000

Fear stinks. I know exactly how you feel. Write anyway. Push through the fear. There’s good stuff waiting!

By: Miranda

Miranda — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 12:15:30 +0000

I wish I had those moments myself, but I rarely do. Whenever a seeming stroke of brilliance does strike, I never talk about it because I end up talking it all away….

By: Cathy

Cathy — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 12:44:14 +0000

Bethany, your blog is always fun, even if the circumstance behind it isn’t. There’s always some level of humor or relatability.

I’m glad to see you’re back to regular posts and that you’re dipping back in here.