#bookishfreedom

[balaenabooks]

ABC BPC: Feelings - Y is for Yearning Gatsby, buddy, you need to start yearning for something else, because rich white people are overrated and Daisy is a bitch.

[bookishfreedom]

The Song Tag

I was tagged by the wonderful @persephonelovesbooks (thanks so much, this is so cute!)

Rules: Using only songs from one artist, answer these 10 questions and tag 10 people.

Band/Artist: Paramore

What’s your gender?: (One of Those) Crazy Girls

Describe yourself:  For a Pessimist, I'm Pretty Optimistic

How do you feel?: I'm Not Angry Anymore

If you could go anywhere: Future

Favorite mode of transportation: Fast In My Car

Your best friend: The Only Exception

Favorite Time of day: When It Rains

If your life was a tv show: Hard Times

Your fear: Temporary

And I am tagging @bvkspine @ibookish @blondebookblogger and @blackgirlslit (don’t feel like you have to, only if you want to!) and also if you see this and want to do it, consider yourself tagged!

[bookphile]

Okay, I have a writing question for you that is the bane of my existence. My strong suit in writing is coming up with ideas. Characters, worlds, and plots have always come to me easily. Actually getting them down on paper? Not so easy. Basically, I'm very self-critical and afraid of not writing well. Now, I understand that the way to get better is to practice, but because all of my ideas are so important to me, I can't choose ones to "waste" with my "beginner" writing. Any advice?

UUuhhhgggg it’s like you’re me.

I’m afraid this is gonna be tough love advice.

1. Suck it up.

2. Stop Overthinking.

3. Just write.

You’re first draft is gonna be shit, okay. That’s literally an ancient writer proverb. Doesn’t matter how good of a writer you are or how amazing your ideas are, you’re literally going to start seeing plot holes the second you start writing. And that’s mostly because once you start writing, you start thinking about the smaller details that you tend to brush over in your daydreams, and be confronted with the reality that something just doesn’t work... no matter how much you like it.

I understand your fear, your characters and stories deserve being written by someone with a skill level you do not possess yet. But you have to trust yourself too. You have to. Set yourself free.

Because you cannot “waste” any of your ideas on “beginner” writing. You cannot skip ten years of learning and end up with experience without doing actual work. You just have to do it. Because unfortunately, the doubt doesn’t stop no matter how high in skills you get. So you have to let yourself be bad. Just let it happen. Be bad, know your faults, that’s the only way you can get better.

One thing I personally tried to do to finally get over my doubt, is literally just start writing a random idea that popped into my head. You can try that too. And I don’t mean think of a new project. I mean, just pull out a random plot bunny or prompt and just go with it, build a new story. Whatever you do: DO NOT OVERTHINK IT. Do not plan, do not outline, do not question. Just write it. That’s your practice.

Or you could write a draft of the stories that you want to tell. Just write. Don’t worry about how good or bad it is. And once you finish. Put it away. And when you feel like you reach a new level of being a writer, pull it out again, and rewrite it. Or wait until you reach a level of writing you are satisfied with.

Because really, the most important thing is to get the first draft out. That’s the hardest part. You gonna cry. I did. It took me ages.

A friend of mine took a writing course that really helped her improve her writing because of different challenges she had to complete. Maybe look into taking one, that can help you boost confidence. Or if you don’t want to do that, find some friends to do a writing circle with, or to keep you accountable.

Anyway, I hope this helps at least a bit.

[balaenabooks]

ABC BPC: Feelings - Q is for Quirky

[hiramslodge]

what's your favorite app on your phone?

i probably use fb messenger the most and i like that :)

[balaenabooks]

ABC BPC: Feelings - R is for Relaxed This was one of the chillest books I've ever read.

[balaenabooks]

ABC BPC: Feelings - H is for Happiness Happy Star Wars Day!

[balaenabooks]

ABC BPC: Feelings - D is for Disappointed David Mitchell was so hyped up for me, but when I actually sat down to read some of his books I just couldn't see what the big deal was. Mitchell just seemed really obvious and pretentious to me.