Smelling Those Virtual Roses
Learning the craft, I’ve spent so many hours focused on fine-tuning the areas I’m weak in, such as description and emotions. Hours upon hours I’d write then edit and go over every word, every minute detail. I’d layer in physical descriptions, the five senses, emotions, worrying over every choice.
My conversations with other writers were heavily about what I had difficulty with. It was after all mostly what I thought about. But isn’t that the way of life for some people? We concentrate on what needs improvement and take for granted the rest. I knew I was good at dialogue, so I didn’t need to think about it. Did I?
The ironic thing is I’m usually a pretty positive person. In my every day life, I refuse to focus on the negative. I believe what you put out into the universe in terms of actions and thoughts, comes back to you. And I certainly don’t need to bring any negativity upon myself. So then why am I this way with my writing? While trying to learn and improve, I forgot to be grateful. I forgot to smell those virtual roses. I forgot to remember the good…the great.
I write awesome dialogue. My voice is incredible. My characters have unique sounds/voices. And I have a talent for plotting that makes my pacing flow smoothly and my plots believable. These are not insignificant and surely shouldn’t be overlooked. It is these attributes that will help pull me out of a mental funk after a crushing critique or a rejection. I won’t forget to smell those roses now.
So tell me…
What are you good at?
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I’m really good at worrying that I’m not good enough.
Silke(Quote) (Reply)
But, seriously, I’ve said it plenty of times… When you worry so much about how to do it right, you forget the most important thing: To write a story.
My dialogue tends to be good. I write males better than females, and usually end up going back in and giving those girls a backbone.
But I get carried away. I lose track, and meander off in all directions.
That can be a good thing though.
Well, I like my dialogue. I think it’s good, realistic and natural. I don’t know. It’s much easier to answer, What do I need to work on?! LOL Great post, Jenn. Bethanne(Quote) (Reply)
Dialogue is the easiest for me to write.
Everything after that is blood, sweat, and tears. LOL Jennifer(Quote) (Reply)
I’m good at thinking of an ms. After that it’s all up hill, but I enjoy it so I do it. Rachel(Quote) (Reply)
I hate my dialogue. I struggle everyday with in and sometimes all I have is page full of descriptions and KNOW I have make them speak. I often say if my characters could be telepathic it would work for me!
Funny thing is – I get lots of comments that my dialogue is sparkling and easy – I wish it were as easy to write as it comes off… LOL.
I think my strength would be descriptions and mood. Debora(Quote) (Reply)