Anna Vexxie
asked
C.S. Pacat:
Do you ever constantly re-read the beginnings of your novels, so much so that you end up hating your own work? I struggle with this, and I'd love to know if I'm not alone on this! Ps: Come back to sydney soon because I owe you a drink - Vexxie ❤️
C.S. Pacat
Although I don't compulsively re-read my beginnings, I do go through phases where I hate my own work, which I have learned is completely normal, and something all authors experience.
I have a few ways of dealing with it, one is that I use a journal where I write my feelings about my writing to get them out and move on - I do this not every day, but only when I need it. It shows me that the feelings are cyclic and unrelated to how good or bad the writing is.
Another way is to remind myself that it's normal to experience a lot of distorted thinking while writing a novel, and to use mindfulness techniques to deal with them - just because it feels bad doesn't mean it is bad, emotional reality is not objective reality, etc.
A third way is to use mantras - I lot of my friends use positive affirmation mantras ("I am great! I can write a great novel!") but I just use one where I add "And I'm still going to finish" to the end of whatever negativity I'm feeling. "This sucks... and I'm still going to finish."
Writing a novel is hard psychologically as well as technically, so figuring out what your stressors and weak spots are and coming up with active strategies to cope with them is really important in being able to finish a manuscript.
I miss Sydney, hope to come back this year!!
I have a few ways of dealing with it, one is that I use a journal where I write my feelings about my writing to get them out and move on - I do this not every day, but only when I need it. It shows me that the feelings are cyclic and unrelated to how good or bad the writing is.
Another way is to remind myself that it's normal to experience a lot of distorted thinking while writing a novel, and to use mindfulness techniques to deal with them - just because it feels bad doesn't mean it is bad, emotional reality is not objective reality, etc.
A third way is to use mantras - I lot of my friends use positive affirmation mantras ("I am great! I can write a great novel!") but I just use one where I add "And I'm still going to finish" to the end of whatever negativity I'm feeling. "This sucks... and I'm still going to finish."
Writing a novel is hard psychologically as well as technically, so figuring out what your stressors and weak spots are and coming up with active strategies to cope with them is really important in being able to finish a manuscript.
I miss Sydney, hope to come back this year!!
More Answered Questions
Lady Alexandrine
asked
C.S. Pacat:
Hello! I must admit I haven't read your books yet. I was simply intrigued by a 14-Word Love Story you had written and I found it very beautiful. I have a question for you as a writer: what books shaped you most as a writer or inspired you to become one? Have a lovely day :)
Eyal Eyal
asked
C.S. Pacat:
This may seem like a strange question,but I'm really curious as to why you started the story with Damen getting captured.I'm an aspiring writer myself and personally, I'd have thought to start the story before his capture, perhaps to gather some more sympathy for him?I'm really intrigued by your decision to start it off as you did.I don't mean to sound offensive ofc but I'd really love to know! Lots of love! xxx
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