Empty Yourself

[Scribbler]

I've been trying to write a story but I could not. For my last story was a good one. And in trying to write, I kept on trying to write something that was completely different, as good as, or better than my last. But you cannot write a good story that is clouded with thoughts of how your story should be.

It is exactly as how I wrote my first stories, and the reason why they were not bad. I had an empty mind back then, nothing to compare myself to, nothing to fear. I did not see how advantageous my past position was at that time. To be of an empty mind, to be held back by nothing.

I believe there to be two principals in writing well - if you care not for whether your writing is good or not, then you may skip this article entirely - one is mindfulness, and the other mindlessness; to empty yourself.

Mindfulness is the culmination of all your skill you have gained through reading and writing, so if you wish to improve your technical ability, then read and write more. But to achieve mindlessness, you must forget everything you are or were, and simply write without care, without thought.

But too much mindlessness and your story will become incomprehensible and without direction, therefore you must find the balance on that razor's edge - to be free and in control at the same time.

I have learned my first lesson once again, and so, I hope you all will learn and beware as well. For you may fall into that spider's trap someday, that one of your own making.

 

[DreamOfRen]

For me, my writing suffers when I'm under too much pressure.
Mind you, I write 3 chapters a day (down from 6) and sometimes still occasionally do 6 a day.
As long as I can remove that mental pressure, I'm good.
Although, there are some days where I really can't articulate for crap.

Still, I manage. The trick for me is to just write. To get outta my own head and get into the groove.

 

[UYScuti]

If you write without care, why would I care about what you write? As a reader, I hope the writer cared about their story so much that they spent time crafting every sentence and choosing every word.

Your idea doesn’t need to be grand. Your plot doesn’t need to be world shattering or unbelievably original. Create amazing characters, put them in a world, and let them take it from there.

Give your MC a goal, create an inner struggle they fight against, create a force that tries to prevent them from their goal, set some obstacles, and have them overcome.

Your book could span galactic conquest or escaping a funhouse in a county fair. Make great characters overcoming obstacles and people will enjoy it.

I think you’ve posted before about having a block because of your previous books. That’s a finished product. Stop worrying about whether you’ll have as many readers on your next. You have zero readers for the book you haven’t written. If people were followers of your previous work, let them know about your next. They’ll probably carryover and you’ll do fine.

 

[Scribbler]

If you write without care, why would I care about what you write? As a reader, I hope the writer cared about their story so much that they spent time crafting every sentence and choosing every word.

Your idea doesn’t need to be grand. Your plot doesn’t need to be world shattering or unbelievably original. Create amazing characters, put them in a world, and let them take it from there.

Give your MC a goal, create an inner struggle they fight against, create a force that tries to prevent them from their goal, set some obstacles, and have them overcome.

Your book could span galactic conquest or escaping a funhouse in a county fair. Make great characters overcoming obstacles and people will enjoy it.

I think you’ve posted before about having a block because of your previous books. That’s a finished product. Stop worrying about whether you’ll have as many readers on your next. You have zero readers for the book you haven’t written. If people were followers of your previous work, let them know about your next. They’ll probably carryover and you’ll do fine.

I've never thought about it like that before! You're right! I'll do just that!

 

[UYScuti]

I've never thought about it like that before! You're right! I'll do just that!

?
You’re telling people to forget everything about who they were and are, and write without care. Sorry, I don’t find that to be good advice. It’s not good advice at all for people that are trying to improve.

If you want to be a better writer then put care and thought into you’re writing and write a story that only you can write. One blank slate writing mindlessly is no different from another.

Everyone is different, and you’re basically telling them to forget that and don’t offer it to the reader.

I did not reply with an outline necessarily for you. Although it really does sound like it applies to your struggle, but I also replied for the others who read this and believe their idea isn’t good enough.

My apologies, but I think advice such as what you gave is more detrimental than helpful to a person who is struggling to write or learning to write.

 

[CupcakeNinja]

being naturally gifted by heaven itself, I've never had a time when i just didn't know WHAT to write. I just had times when i didn't want to go through all the trouble of reworking what I've already done.

So, eh. I have trouble understanding people who just cant write because they care so much about their next story being as popular as their old one. I don't focus on the popularity of my stories, see. Instead I focus on writing something that I would enjoy reading. I mean if you don't like your own writing, how do you expect others to?

Why is why when i meet those who lack confidence in their own writing skills I'm like, "lol stop writing then," which SOUNDS mean but that's more of a troll response. Obviously they should keep working on their skills. But they gotta learn how to be an arrogant piece of shit first. Like me. That way they arent all depressed when people who do mean to hurt them, try to. I always say the internet is no place or pansies. Thats especially true if you're a content creator.

You gotta let go of your worries. Then whether you content is shit or not, at least you have a chance to listen to criticism--good or bad--and make it better. Not fall apart from your own fragile ego

 

[CupcakeNinja]

?
You’re telling people to forget everything about who they were and are, and write without care. Sorry, I don’t find that to be good advice. It’s not good advice at all for people that are trying to improve.

If you want to be a better writer then put care and thought into you’re writing and write a story that only you can write. One blank slate writing mindlessly is no different from another.

Everyone is different, and you’re basically telling them to forget that and don’t offer it to the reader.

I did not reply with an outline necessarily for you. Although it really does sound like it applies to your struggle, but I also replied for the others who read this and believe their idea isn’t good enough.

My apologies, but I think advice such as what you gave is more detrimental than helpful to a person who is struggling to write or learning to write.

I dunno man. You arent likely arent gonna revolutionize the writing industry. You arent unique. Sorry but there are millions of people who could write just like you. There ain't no such thing as "a story only you can write"

EDIT: Im using "you" generally here, just wanna make that clear

Its also not bad advice, just given in the wrong context. You can never improve if you dont write. And if you're bogged down by your own worries and preconceptions you'll never be able to. The first step is to write something, anything. Then look back on it and think how you could have done better.

Its advice better suited to new writers. More experienced writers probably just need a bit of research and inspiration. Because their problem isn't usually that they CANT write due to fear of mediocrity or criticism like new writers would be. Its normally in my experience that they've either stopped liking what they write or HOW they write. Got sick of their own style. Hit a wall. So for them i would suggest reading works that are in a style entirely different from their own. Maybe brush up on the standards of "good writing". You know. SInce not every writer even know all the basics--i certainly dont and am doing well enough--so learning new things and reading different kinds of works could help them get over that wall.
.

 

[UYScuti]

I dunno man. You arent likely arent gonna revolutionize the writing industry. You arent unique. Sorry but there are millions of people who could write just like you. There ain't no such thing as "a story only you can write"

EDIT: Im using "you" generally here, just wanna make that clear

Its also not bad advice, just given in the wrong context. You can never improve if you dont write. And if you're bogged down by your own worries and preconceptions you'll never be able to. The first step is to write something, anything. Then look back on it and think how you could have done better.

Its advice better suited to new writers. More experienced writers probably just need a bit of research and inspiration. Because their problem isn't usually that they CANT write due to fear of mediocrity or criticism like new writers would be. Its normally in my experience that they've either stopped liking what they write or HOW they write. Got sick of their own style. Hit a wall. So for them i would suggest reading works that are in a style entirely different from their own. Maybe brush up on the standards of "good writing". You know. SInce not every writer even know all the basics--i certainly dont and am doing well enough--so learning new things and reading different kinds of works could help them get over that wall.
.

I agree, and I agree with your other post. Nobody is revolutionizing anything. But everyone will have a different quirk in their writing style, unless they’re just copying from a textbook. Won’t be major, but generally something a little different. Erasing yourself from your writing pretty much guarantees you’ll never have fun writing.

I also agree that If you post online you need to have a bit of arrogance and get ready to be shit on.

But this write without thought and care advice won’t help anyone. Put a bit of thought into a character then write. Doesn’t have to be great, but it can’t be mindless. It’s easier to write something you care about.

Also: Why’d you get rid of Johnny Sins?

 

[Ruriha]

I just ate like 5 eggs and, given my egg intolerance, I can assure you my body has been viscerally emptied. I spent the whole afternoon emptying myself with aplomb.

That egg avatar is a scam.

Anyhow, why does op sound like a buddhist mantra.

 

[CupcakeNinja]

I agree, and I agree with your other post. Nobody is revolutionizing anything. But everyone will have a different quirk in their writing style, unless they’re just copying from a textbook. Won’t be major, but generally something a little different. Erasing yourself from your writing pretty much guarantees you’ll never have fun writing.

I also agree that If you post online you need to have a bit of arrogance and get ready to be shit on.

But this write without thought and care advice won’t help anyone. Put a bit of thought into a character then write. Doesn’t have to be great, but it can’t be mindless. It’s easier to write something you care about.

Also: Why’d you get rid of Johnny Sins?

Eh. Like I said it's not advice meant for everyone. It's not something you use for writing your next chapter. Just something to GET you writing. Mainly for new writers. But yeah. It's not gonna help you create a story. Then again that's not the point. I'm pretty sure artists have similar lessons too.

Anyway its because Henry Cavill is my man crush

 

[RepresentingCaution]

I can't empty myself for another two months. If I do, I'll wind up with a premature baby.

 

[DreamOfRen]

I can't empty myself for another two months. If I do, I'll wind up with a premature baby.

big oof