Sometimes when writing about the... I dunno, the magical earth ponies of the hidden elf forest city... I stop and look at what I've written, and I think:
"Why the hell am I writing about the magical earth ponies of the hidden elf forest city?"
And then all sorts of negative thoughts flitter through my head. Which, you know, is understandable but also completely stupid. You can worry about people thinking badly of you after you've actually written the story, but you shouldn't be concerning yourself with what other people think while you're trying to write it. You should just write the stories, even when you broach subjects that are uncomfortable, hard to write about, or downright crazy.
Sometimes, it really is hard not to be self-conscious about your writing. To want to follow the formulaic, the basics, the basic layout and nothing else: I mean, how many people want to read about... I dunno, a polyamorous relationship? I don't mean a wild threesome I mean an actual just plain relationship, just with three people. Because A, that's not normal, and B, how dare you trash the idea it's nothing but a perverted sex fest and ruin all these fantasies?
There's a whole bunch of C through Z points but I'm too tired to list anything else. Anyway, the trick is to take away the demonization, make it seem more natural and... concentrate on the things that people can relate to, or the goals most of us want to achieve ourselves. With the former example, stuff like... how important trust is, openness and honesty, actual little relationship ticks. You know, kind of like how I always put on coffee, and Luna's always hitting me.
Well, I guess that could be called abuse, too. But. Loving abuse.
Which kind of leads me into the point about. How it's hard not to be self-conscious when your characters say something stupid or tasteless. Well, you know what, if it suits the story, you can't have... Redneck Rage, the angriest, ignorantest pony in Hillponyville say:
"We don't like yer kind 'round here, you homosexually-inclined person!"
He kind of has to say:
"We don't like yer kind 'rond here, you heathen faggot!"
Or something else nasty. Yes, some ponies will get all offended when one of your characters in a story makes a tasteless joke or says something stupid or you know, is generally just an idiot. But your characters are not (all) a reflection on you: there really are people who think the absolutely stupidest things on this world, and who make jokes about... well, things we shouldn't really make jokes about. And there are perfectly good people with perfectly horrid senses of humor. You shouldn't try and inch around presenting that, because most people aren't going to apply how your characters behave to you yourself.
Unless you make it really obvious that's you. So you know. If you don't like something, then don't make everyone else hate it, too.
But in short. Even if you're writing about magical earth ponies of the hidden elf forest... stop worrying about it and just write. It's hard not to be self-conscious about your writing, but try and let that go, and just work on the story and do the best you can with it. I believe there's no such thing as a dumb idea: stories just end up dumb when we don't write it out in the right way, and the first step to getting things right is always just writing the story, the way it wants to be written.
~Scrivener Blooms
Friday 31 May 2013
Thursday 23 May 2013
Migraine
I have one. And that means Luna has one. Which means she's whining and flailing around on the futon and making everything that much worse for both of us.
Yet here I am. Meeting my not-obligation of doing a stupid post when really, I just want to crawl over to Luna and mash my head into hers until we're both unconscious, dead, or the head pain goes away. Ugh. Why? Because. Because goddammit, even when stuff sucks, that doesn't mean you just get to not do stuff. Even when it's not a real obligation, you can't put stuff off forever. You need to get up, and do it. We're not geldings here, right? Right? We're stallions goddammit.
Luna you're not really a stallion don't... do that. I swear we both get stupider when we're in pain.
Life is. About. Experiences. And fighting your way through the crap. So you can earn mashing your face into mares like Luna. Who like that sort of thing.
I'm not drunk my head just really, really, really hurts.
But why am I doing this? Because when I get it over and done with, I'll be able to go and mash my face into a mare, feeling that I deserve it, because I've followed through with my obligations, responsibilities, and promises and now I've earned my rest.
Writing is kind of like that, you know. You have to do the crap parts as well as the fun parts. Even when it's crappy. Even when you don't feel like it. Because it gives everything that much more power at the end of the day.
So there.
I'm going away now.
Oh Horses of Heaven. I'm going to drink coffee until my teeth fall out and let Luna drool on me until I feel better. Short circuit this stupid migraine.
Because writing.
~Scrivener Blooms
Yet here I am. Meeting my not-obligation of doing a stupid post when really, I just want to crawl over to Luna and mash my head into hers until we're both unconscious, dead, or the head pain goes away. Ugh. Why? Because. Because goddammit, even when stuff sucks, that doesn't mean you just get to not do stuff. Even when it's not a real obligation, you can't put stuff off forever. You need to get up, and do it. We're not geldings here, right? Right? We're stallions goddammit.
Luna you're not really a stallion don't... do that. I swear we both get stupider when we're in pain.
Life is. About. Experiences. And fighting your way through the crap. So you can earn mashing your face into mares like Luna. Who like that sort of thing.
I'm not drunk my head just really, really, really hurts.
But why am I doing this? Because when I get it over and done with, I'll be able to go and mash my face into a mare, feeling that I deserve it, because I've followed through with my obligations, responsibilities, and promises and now I've earned my rest.
Writing is kind of like that, you know. You have to do the crap parts as well as the fun parts. Even when it's crappy. Even when you don't feel like it. Because it gives everything that much more power at the end of the day.
So there.
I'm going away now.
Oh Horses of Heaven. I'm going to drink coffee until my teeth fall out and let Luna drool on me until I feel better. Short circuit this stupid migraine.
Because writing.
~Scrivener Blooms
Friday 17 May 2013
My Workstation
As most ponies figure out in fairly short order, I'm not exactly what you'd call the most professional pony ever. I'm much the opposite. Most of my everything follows this rule, which is probably in some part why I get along with Luna so well.
Now, yes, I do have a writing desk. I've even dreamed about having an office. A real writer's office, with like, books, and a desk. An awesome desk. Not just a writing desk, an awesome desk. Like, you know, real wood and with character and a nameplate and. Stuff.
Shut up, Luna. My eccentricities are much less damaging than your eccentricities.
Anyway, uh. Where was I going with this? Right, yes, where I work. Well, while I do often write at my desk, Luna often insists on poking at me or crawling all over me while I write, because. That's just who she is. So often I end up on the futon with her, wrapped up in blankets with a journal or notebook and quill.
So my workstation is often any cluster of cushions on the floor where Luna shoves me. That's where I've learned to work, and what I'm used to.
Now at first, yes, it was impossible to work like this. I liked having a desk, and possibly a chair. Although I learned to do without that because even back in Canterlot Luna liked to randomly yank them out beneath me sometimes to get my attention if I was immersed in my work. But now I'm used to just kind of flopping down anywhere, and even more, used to being poked and prodded as I work.
Yes, it's hard at first, it takes time, but you really can get used to working anywhere with enough effort, and if you're willing to swallow enough frustration. But, you know, if you need a void to write in, you're probably not going to get very far. You need to learn to deal with life as it happens and write around everything that seeks to interrupt you, whether it's a big change in the environment, noise and stress, or an obnoxious mare that likes to play 'Queen of the Mountain' on your back.
But you can get used to anything, and find time to write anywhere. Believe me, you can. It's tough as hell but just expose yourself to that situation bit-by-bit, and while your writing might stagger a little at first, it'll smooth out. And a side effect of learning to write where, you know, you don't have that fantastic desk and quiet office and... books... is that when you're in that perfect little writing zone, you'll find you're able to focus better and fall into things faster.
It's just all about practice. Pushing through. Ignoring the pony chewing loudly on your ear even when it really starts to hurt and you're pretty sure it's bleeding. Having a place to sit and work is fantastic, and it helps a lot. But you can learn to do without it, too.
~Scrivener Blooms
Now, yes, I do have a writing desk. I've even dreamed about having an office. A real writer's office, with like, books, and a desk. An awesome desk. Not just a writing desk, an awesome desk. Like, you know, real wood and with character and a nameplate and. Stuff.
Shut up, Luna. My eccentricities are much less damaging than your eccentricities.
Anyway, uh. Where was I going with this? Right, yes, where I work. Well, while I do often write at my desk, Luna often insists on poking at me or crawling all over me while I write, because. That's just who she is. So often I end up on the futon with her, wrapped up in blankets with a journal or notebook and quill.
So my workstation is often any cluster of cushions on the floor where Luna shoves me. That's where I've learned to work, and what I'm used to.
Now at first, yes, it was impossible to work like this. I liked having a desk, and possibly a chair. Although I learned to do without that because even back in Canterlot Luna liked to randomly yank them out beneath me sometimes to get my attention if I was immersed in my work. But now I'm used to just kind of flopping down anywhere, and even more, used to being poked and prodded as I work.
Yes, it's hard at first, it takes time, but you really can get used to working anywhere with enough effort, and if you're willing to swallow enough frustration. But, you know, if you need a void to write in, you're probably not going to get very far. You need to learn to deal with life as it happens and write around everything that seeks to interrupt you, whether it's a big change in the environment, noise and stress, or an obnoxious mare that likes to play 'Queen of the Mountain' on your back.
But you can get used to anything, and find time to write anywhere. Believe me, you can. It's tough as hell but just expose yourself to that situation bit-by-bit, and while your writing might stagger a little at first, it'll smooth out. And a side effect of learning to write where, you know, you don't have that fantastic desk and quiet office and... books... is that when you're in that perfect little writing zone, you'll find you're able to focus better and fall into things faster.
It's just all about practice. Pushing through. Ignoring the pony chewing loudly on your ear even when it really starts to hurt and you're pretty sure it's bleeding. Having a place to sit and work is fantastic, and it helps a lot. But you can learn to do without it, too.
~Scrivener Blooms
Friday 10 May 2013
Good Reviews, Bad Reviews
Let's talk about a topic that's sometimes sensitive for us writers: reviews. And I mean reviews here, like comments on your work in general, not critique given by critics or professional... you know, reviewer-persons, or notes made by editors. I mean just reviews in general.
I'm going to start with two broad points: one, if you put stock in your best review, then you have to acknowledge your worst review. Two, if you're really about writing the story... then don't worry about good or bad reviews. Just focus on the story.
Now let's break things down a little. First of all, that doesn't mean I'm saying "u r returded" is the worst review. Just like "U R BEST EVAR~" is not going to be your actual best review. I'm saying that if you believe all the positive aspects - IE, "you have really flowing imagery" - then you have to believe it when someone says something like: "you really, really need to work on your overall pacing." You can't just pick and choose, especially because... you're going to be tempted to. And I don't just mean pick certain good things over bad things. Sometimes, you might find you write something you don't think much of or need some help with, and someone might say to you, "no this is really good and I liked it," and for no... truly explainable reason, you'll be mad about it, whether it's a lame reassurance or honest answer.
This leads into the second part. Acknowledge your reviewers, good and bad. Appreciate what they're doing, even the ones who are just trying to be mean and stupid, because... you're still affecting them on such a level that it's getting a reaction. They're still taking - or wasting - time out of their day to send you some response, some message, which... yes, it can make you feel bad, but it's also self-defeating. I mean, some of my most amusing reviews are "I READ YOUR STORY AND I HATED IT." And I mean. So, you picked up this book you claim to have hated, and you read the whole damn thing, and now you're telling me you hated it? But also going through it bit-by-bit, trying to tell me everything wrong with it... which just tells me you didn't just skim it, you actually read every single page?
Yes. Clearly you must hate it. You most definitely aren't just whimpering like a little kicked bitch because the story ended up taking a turn you don't like or even worse, made you feel things.
Okay, okay, Luna's. Giving me a look. It's an amused look, but it's also a look that tells me if I keep going like this it's going to incite her into saying nasty things herself. Or worse. Or come over here and. Do awkward things to me. She likes it when I'm mean to people, it's very awkward.
Anyway. This leads into my second point. Focus on the story: even if you're looking for feedback, even if you have points where you want to ask for the opinions of others or need some input from... a group, a partner, a random pony... still, keep your eyes on the paper and write the story. And try and remember one important thing: no matter how good a writer you are, no matter how skilled you are, not everyone is going to like your writing, and different people will always have different expectations. You could write the greatest narrative ever and if someone doesn't like narratives, they probably won't like your story, no matter how fantastic the imagery, or intriguing the plot, or verbose the vocabulary.
Write your story for yourself, at the end of the day. Do what you have to do, and follow the plotline you want to, without worrying about... what other people are going to think of it, without trying to please people. Because there's no such thing as a story everyone is going to like, and there's no such thing as a story that's without flaw, and yet... those things shouldn't ever hinder or stop you from trying to write your story, the way you want to. Don't let yourself be influenced one way or another when you've got a focus on a story, by good or bad: just write it out the way it wants to be written, and worry about everything else when the time comes. There's no such thing as a 'bad' story: do it the right way, learn how to tweak things here and there, and there'll always be someone who's going to enjoy it.
~Scrivener Blooms
I'm going to start with two broad points: one, if you put stock in your best review, then you have to acknowledge your worst review. Two, if you're really about writing the story... then don't worry about good or bad reviews. Just focus on the story.
Now let's break things down a little. First of all, that doesn't mean I'm saying "u r returded" is the worst review. Just like "U R BEST EVAR~" is not going to be your actual best review. I'm saying that if you believe all the positive aspects - IE, "you have really flowing imagery" - then you have to believe it when someone says something like: "you really, really need to work on your overall pacing." You can't just pick and choose, especially because... you're going to be tempted to. And I don't just mean pick certain good things over bad things. Sometimes, you might find you write something you don't think much of or need some help with, and someone might say to you, "no this is really good and I liked it," and for no... truly explainable reason, you'll be mad about it, whether it's a lame reassurance or honest answer.
This leads into the second part. Acknowledge your reviewers, good and bad. Appreciate what they're doing, even the ones who are just trying to be mean and stupid, because... you're still affecting them on such a level that it's getting a reaction. They're still taking - or wasting - time out of their day to send you some response, some message, which... yes, it can make you feel bad, but it's also self-defeating. I mean, some of my most amusing reviews are "I READ YOUR STORY AND I HATED IT." And I mean. So, you picked up this book you claim to have hated, and you read the whole damn thing, and now you're telling me you hated it? But also going through it bit-by-bit, trying to tell me everything wrong with it... which just tells me you didn't just skim it, you actually read every single page?
Yes. Clearly you must hate it. You most definitely aren't just whimpering like a little kicked bitch because the story ended up taking a turn you don't like or even worse, made you feel things.
Okay, okay, Luna's. Giving me a look. It's an amused look, but it's also a look that tells me if I keep going like this it's going to incite her into saying nasty things herself. Or worse. Or come over here and. Do awkward things to me. She likes it when I'm mean to people, it's very awkward.
Anyway. This leads into my second point. Focus on the story: even if you're looking for feedback, even if you have points where you want to ask for the opinions of others or need some input from... a group, a partner, a random pony... still, keep your eyes on the paper and write the story. And try and remember one important thing: no matter how good a writer you are, no matter how skilled you are, not everyone is going to like your writing, and different people will always have different expectations. You could write the greatest narrative ever and if someone doesn't like narratives, they probably won't like your story, no matter how fantastic the imagery, or intriguing the plot, or verbose the vocabulary.
Write your story for yourself, at the end of the day. Do what you have to do, and follow the plotline you want to, without worrying about... what other people are going to think of it, without trying to please people. Because there's no such thing as a story everyone is going to like, and there's no such thing as a story that's without flaw, and yet... those things shouldn't ever hinder or stop you from trying to write your story, the way you want to. Don't let yourself be influenced one way or another when you've got a focus on a story, by good or bad: just write it out the way it wants to be written, and worry about everything else when the time comes. There's no such thing as a 'bad' story: do it the right way, learn how to tweak things here and there, and there'll always be someone who's going to enjoy it.
~Scrivener Blooms
Friday 3 May 2013
It Pokes Me
It Pokes Me
Up, it thrusts!
Towards the sky, ever
higher Higher HIGHER!
Looming like a tower,
Magnificent in structure,
Overwhelming, prodigious, supreme!
Oh, endless length, so large,
So vast!
Girthy, heavy, oh laden tube,
So immense, as you stretch
more More MORE!
Threatening to penetrate the sky!
So powerful! So potent!
Thrumming with strength,
Stiff and hard and unyielding,
deeper Deeper DEEPER!
It tears, it penetrates, it shoves,
A piston through the air that slams
INTO MY BUCKING EYE LUNA WATCH YOUR STUPID HORN.
~Scrivener Blooms
Up, it thrusts!
Towards the sky, ever
higher Higher HIGHER!
Looming like a tower,
Magnificent in structure,
Overwhelming, prodigious, supreme!
Oh, endless length, so large,
So vast!
Girthy, heavy, oh laden tube,
So immense, as you stretch
more More MORE!
Threatening to penetrate the sky!
So powerful! So potent!
Thrumming with strength,
Stiff and hard and unyielding,
deeper Deeper DEEPER!
It tears, it penetrates, it shoves,
A piston through the air that slams
INTO MY BUCKING EYE LUNA WATCH YOUR STUPID HORN.
~Scrivener Blooms
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