What's the point?

[HungrySheep]

Do you write because it's enjoying? It's a hobby to some of us and that's enough to convince ourselves that it's worth the time. I don't see it as any different from playing games, building dioramas to keep to ourselves, or modding skyrim for the 90th time only to play it for 2hrs and abandon it.

One thing you could do is set up goals you want to reach when writing. Could be as simple as 'X' amount of words or a point in the story. Another way is to write as if you're a reader too (i.e, you're going along for the ride and want to see where the story goes). I don't think anything is ever a waste of time or has no point. Modding skyrim helped me in other areas, file structure, where to find 'x' in games/folders, etc.

Having someone comment can act as a form of acknowledgement/validation, which can help majorly too.

That's true. I started it as a hobby and my goal was to write at least 1.5k words per day. I guess it's just that maybe the last two weeks have been insanely busy for me so I might've just crushed my own skull by trying to stick to my goal while also handling all the other crap being shot my way.

Other people have advice for the rest, so I just wanted to address this part: I'm 100% sure you aren't the worst writer.

I read the first paragraph of your last chapter, and it seemed decent at first glance. I've definitely read worse: Not the worst writer.

You have 932 people who signed up specifically just to be notified when you release a new chapter: Not the worst writer.

The part of you that wants to self-deprecate isn't even trying to be realistic here, and you shouldn't let it get away with that level of trying to deceive yourself.

Fair enough. Sometimes logic just throws itself out of the window when you're in that headspace.

 

[PancakesWitch]

i earn money from it so i never question it, i always feel justified writing hahahaha!

on a serious note, i usually write to escape reality and imagine myself in all sorts of wonderful worlds, with friends and families i wish i had myself.

i often like reincarnation stories with warm and cute family moments because its often what i wished i could have lived more myself, with good parents that loved me

but i also write a lot of action and fighting scenes because i just like the thrill of power fantasy

when you wrote your first words and chapters, what did it made you feel?

 

[HungrySheep]

Yes, I feel like this a lot of the time. The only thing that worked for me to get out of the slump was being challenged by a forum member in a writing competition.

Actually, you can try to talk to friends or anyone about your story. Basically talk to anyone who will listen about your story. It helps if you have people that are begging for new chapters.

Evaluate why you started writing in the first place. Sometimes the only reason we do things is for a hobby. Did you plan to make a career out of it? Or did you just want to share an interesting story? Maybe you started writing out of spite like so many others? What inspired you to write? That is probably the most important question.

I started writing short stories as a hobby, but my first actual novel at-length was unironically written out of spite LMAO

i earn money from it so i never question it, i always feel justified writing hahahaha!

on a serious note, i usually write to escape reality and imagine myself in all sorts of wonderful worlds, with friends and families i wish i had myself.

i often like reincarnation stories with warm and cute family moments because its often what i wished i could have lived more myself, with good parents that loved me

but i also write a lot of action and fighting scenes because i just like the thrill of power fantasy

when you wrote your first words and chapters, what did it made you feel?

I wanted to write a super niche story that I've always wanted to read, but no one wrote it so I have to do it myself. As for the money side of things, it'd be nice to have a good income from just writing, but I know my current work doesn't hit the masses so that'll probably be something I'll think about during my next work if I ever get to write it.

I think your reason for writing is pretty wholesome itself though. Hope you find some awesome friends!

I doubt that.

Stop writing. Watch this. All 5 parts. Listen to every minute.
Then get back to writing.

Yes.

Self-Hatred, Shame, and Guilt.

Yikes, Empress Theresa is actually worse than Invisible Dragon. That's impressive.

I rarely feel like I'm burnt out. What gets me stumped is how people can solely focus on one story at a time. I rarely finish anything, not because a lack of creativity, but because I want to do so much that I go from project to project without getting anything done.

My only advice if you feel burnt out is to do other things for at least a month. Invest in other hobbies, pick up a new hobby if you haven't got any other beyond writing, or just live life. You might feel the inkling to write again after a while of not doing it.

I used to start projects, go extremely hard for like 3-5 days, and then drop them for a new project. This kind of screwed me over a couple of times, so I've since learned to force myself to focus on one work at a time. That said, I do still have an endless amount of ideas. Will probably take your advice and do a month-long break after I finish my current novel though.

 

[Corty]

Luckily; no. Never, really.

My brain is wired weird that way.

The closest I got was I should stop doing it in English.

 

[Deleted member 68927]

Stop right there!

Writing takes time, yes, but all things that are worth it take time and effort. By your logic, I should have given up writing and language learning a long time ago, since my first attempt was full of mistakes and got no feedback. But I have not.

The important thing is to put in the work. Every story you make will have its ups and downs, its readers and droppers. It is up to you, whatever you use writing to become a calmer and a better person who loves life, or not.

Everything is hard in the beginning. That should motivate you, not plummet you to the Slums. Only pain and hard work can help us grow.

Happy writing!

 

[Rezcore]

Maybe it's because of the way I was raised, but any time these questions come up, I get frustrated. I've had times of doubt, I mean, I've written for a number of big news agencies under pseudonym, but the growling voice of my stepfather saying "If you're stupid ass is gonna do something, put your heart into it. Yes I know you're not stupid, stupid people are the ones that think they know more than they do." He then went on a triade about politicians which if I repeated here would have the FBI visiting me. And I'm way off subject....

There is no point to writing, you aren't being forced to do it, no one is giving you a deadline. That probably your issue, a lack of structured writing time. I started fiction because I need an escape from my hellish career, and I can't yet afford a decent gaming rig *that's probably because I'm better armed than most nations though so...*

 

[Chaos_Sinner777]

Watch Kiki's Delivery Service and pay extra attention to the artist lady.

 

[breakofdawnstories]

I do feel the same a lot of times. I love storytelling since I was a child. I could go on for hours just narrating the interesting movies or things that I watched or witnessed but was constantly told to shut up. When I grew up, I found a lot of ways to tell a story too (Singing, drawing, theater acting and then writing) I know I am doing all of this for my self but there's a part of me that wants affirmation too. I wanted to know if my hard works were as enjoyable to others as to me. I wanted to know if I'm doing it right or what are the things that I could improve. It's easy to feel loss at times but what can I do? The source of my discomfort is the source of my comfort too?

You know? A little rest won't break you. Take a rest feel the earth through your bare feet. Feel the lives around you and recharge from it. Sometimes the sparks or the inspiration to tell stories that we're looking for is waiting out there for us to discover. If would be a pity to stop penning down the little worlds inside of your head just because you think you're the worst writer in the planet. (Lol. I feel like this is all over the place but all i wanted to say is hang in there!)

P.S. hehehe. Excuse my poor grammar. English is not my native language. I hope you feel well soon.

 

[RepresentingDesire]

Today, I found myself questioning whether or not there's a point to writing when it takes so much time and effort. Maybe I'm burnt out, but I'm pretty sure I'm secretly the worst writer on the planet.

Does anyone feel like this at times? If so, what do you do to get over the slump?

What's the point of anything? You are the only one who could answer your question and my question. Go inside yourself and think of what does writing provide to you and what it takes from you. Why did you start it or ask others for a new perspective. And why would it matter that your writing isn't the best? Do you want to make art or something for yourself, for your entertainment or satisfaction?

 

[Premier]

Today, I found myself questioning whether or not there's a point to writing when it takes so much time and effort. Maybe I'm burnt out, but I'm pretty sure I'm secretly the worst writer on the planet.

Does anyone feel like this at times? If so, what do you do to get over the slump?

The fact I can read this disqualifies you from being the worst writer on this site, let alone the planet.

 

[forli]

As someone who hasn't written anything in 5 months because of how disillusioned I am with the very idea of web novels in general, I took a quick look at your novel and it doesn't seem bad at all.

Seriously, do you have any idea of how low the standards are? You are nowhere near the bottom.

 

[RepresentingWrath]

As someone who hasn't written anything in 5 months because of how disillusioned I am with the very idea of web novels in general, I took a quick look at your novel and it doesn't seem bad at all.

Seriously, do you have any idea of how low the standards are? You are nowhere near the bottom.

 

[D.S.Nate]

Today, I found myself questioning whether or not there's a point to writing when it takes so much time and effort. Maybe I'm burnt out, but I'm pretty sure I'm secretly the worst writer on the planet.

Does anyone feel like this at times? If so, what do you do to get over the slump?

Sounds normal to me, only difference is the people who quit or not.

Give yourself some time off or change projects. If you have a group who can give you feedback then that might help too.

 

[Temple]

I wanted to write a super niche story that I've always wanted to read, but no one wrote it so I have to do it myself. As for the money side of things, it'd be nice to have a good income from just writing, but I know my current work doesn't hit the masses so that'll probably be something I'll think about during my next work if I ever get to write it.

Instead of making something for the masses, make it your goal that the masses (or at least some people) will get a liking to your work. At least that's how I operate. Would I have a lot more success if I wrote to the masses? Yep. But I won't be happy that way. I have an actual job I sell my soul to, so I'd rather keep my soul when it comes to writing. Just protecting the small "my space" in life.

 

[melchi]

if you don't want to write, don't. That simple

So blunt...

 

[RepresentingWrath]

So blunt...

Spoiler: This?

 

[wresch]

I think all of this is bad advice. Schedule? Break? Here's what matters - IMHO. Is the story interesting? If it is interesting, you will keep writing it. If it isn't, then why would your readers want it either? Go back to where you lost interest, find the last scene that got your attention and start over. Entertain yourself. Unless you are writing to some target audience hoping to sell big. Then you are writing for employment. Yuck. You will produce the standard drivel and earn every dollar through tedium. But if you are writing to tell a story - make it a story you want to tell and want to enjoy.