There are two things writers really really love and they are: (1) snack breaks, and (2) awkward suffering.
I took a snack break from a manuscript once and it’s lasted 5 years. These things do happen. It’s been an exceptional snack break, only slightly more loved than my affection for awkward writerly suffering.
Pain! We writers love it! For some unfathomable reason! I think some of us were dropped on our heads as babies?? I personally fell down a waterfall as a child and this explains so much honestly. Whenever anyone asks me “Why Cait” which they do like 54 times a day, especially when I’m nesting in my bookshelf with my ancient Celtic sword I wrested from the ghost king, I point them to the root of all my problems. That darn waterfall.
Anyway. I’m sure I’ll be fine. My sister fell out of a tree when she was 9, too, and sometimes I can still hear her little voice. *
So one of the #1 causes of writer pain is definitely —> severely awkward moments. If you haven’t gritted your teeth with that Smile Of Please Kill Me Now™ over an awkward moment, THEN ARE YOU REALLY LIVING?? So I decided to collect some typical awkward writer moments!
And when I say “typical writer moments”…I mean mine.
Please back me up here. Holy heck. Don’t leave me awkwardly alone in the cold. After all I’ve done for you. **
* Because she’s on twitter and alive but you know. Whatever.
** I’m sure I’ve done something for you??? Trying to think???
1. WHEN YOU’RE NOT SURE IF YOU JUST WROTE BRILLIANCE OR UTTER TRASH.
I’m usually asking myself this question about a single sentence so THAT’S HOW FUN MY LIFE IS. Is this inspired??? Does it make sense to anyone other than me??? Will I look at it and laugh and laugh and laugh to cover my horror in 2 years time?? Who can say. And as an author with 2 books coming out, * I can attest to this lovely awkward moment being on the RISE.
Nice.
* SLAMS YOU IN THE FACE WITH SELF PROMO WOW. THIS CAN’T GET OLD.
2. OH HELLO THERE, TYPOS, YOU’RE NOT RUINING MY LIFE AT ALL HAHAHA NO PLS DO STAY.
Look I’m really really really good at typos. I say “GOOD” instead of “bad at typos” because I like to affirm to myself that I’m succeeding somewhere in life. Whenever I get edits back, everyone’s first awkward comment is, “So WOW! Cait!…typos.” I don’t know what I am either anymore.
ME @ ME MOST OF THE TIME
FUN TYPOS I’VE BEEN SUCCEEDING AT LATELY
- Steal vs Steel and you’d think this is so easy I’d be embarrassed about it AND YOU’RE RIGHT. PLS SOMEONE SAVE ME.
- My friend just reminded me of the time I used “NatSav” in a novel instead of “SatNav”…#CAPABLE.
- Just recently doing copy-edits I said “top-charting song” instead of “chart-topping”.
- I still struggle with vulnerable vs venerable.
- I will restructure a whole sentence to avoid using phenomenal because I just type that word like “phenonomononal” and ask autocorrect to pitch in.
3. GRAMMAR…IT’S SO AWKWARD.
Look I’ve gotten to the point where I’m just atrocious and then say, “THIS IS ART AND POETRY” and hope everyone accepts that and calls me a genius instead of someone who starts screaming when you talk about where to put commas.
Can’t I just leave a whole stack of punctuation at the end of my book and then we play “PICK AND FILL AS YOU LIKE!” at the end of the novel??? This could work.
4. WHEN YOU FORGET ALL YOUR CHARACTERS’ NAMES WHILE YOU’RE WRITING.
This happens freaking all. the. time. One book I was writing, I literally got to the point where I stuck a sticky note to my laptop screen with all the characters’ names written out because NO, SIR, I DON’T REMEMBER. They weren’t even hard names!!
To be fair I generally have a lot going on in my mind, like which souls I’m harvesting in the afternoon, how I can make best use of the new 280-characters on twitter, world domination plans for January, if I ate the last piece of cake or did someone else, and how many books can I write in a year, etc. etc. My mind is very very busy. With important things. Obviously.
However this is still really awkward.
5. WHEN YOU’RE NOT SURE WHAT YOUR BOOK IS ABOUT.
I can write 100,000-word book and get to the and still not be QUITE sure what I’m trying to say. Writing is hard, OK? And it’s hard to write an interesting story with interesting characters and have an interesting message as well. Because apparently just 30 chapters of people getting stabbed and sassed to death isn’t considered “a thought-provoking message”. PFFFFFT. How about: Don’t get stabbed. Like, look what I’m teaching the children here.
ACTUAL CONVERSATION BETWEEN WRITER AND HUMANS:
Human: Oh wow you’re writing a book this month?!
Me: Yes. It’s all planned! I have an outline and a schedule and I’m ready to do this!
Human: What’s it about?
Me: what
Human: Like what’s the theme of your novel?
Me:
Me: look I have to go, my curtains are crying and they need me.
6. THE CASE OF THE MISSING OBJECTS AND WOUNDS.
When writing, you have a LOT of stuff to keep track of. Like who has what wound and who put down the umbrella and what they’re wearing and HOW THIS CHANGES IN EVERY SINGLE FREAKING SCENE.
For instance: while editing recently, I had two people slam a door. The door didn’t open between these times. It was just infinite slamming for NO APPARENT REASON UNLESS I HAVE A GHOST I DON’T KNOW ABOUT AND THEN WOW THIS CONTEMPORARY JUST GOT EXCITING.
And wounds. UGH WOUNDS. You know how when you stab a character on the LEFT in one scene…and then the next scene it’s suddenly on the RIGHT? Or just forgetting a wound. Or adding one. Or having no clue what the heck you’re doing.
Me.
This is awkward because when you get to beta readers, a lot of the time they just sit there with a frozen smile saying: “Why.”
To which I reply: “Yes.”
7. WHEN YOUR SCENE IS SUPER AWESOME IN YOUR HEAD AND THEN YOU WRITE AND WOW…NO.
I think up really really cool scenes that would work SO WELL AS A MOVIE! Like put in the epic music, the slow-mo explosion, that really bitter eye expression that’s super cool on screen and–
Um yeah I’m writing a book. Oh wow. This is awkward. How about that.
I mean my #1 talent in life is to think up really cool stuff and then GIVE IT ANXIETY. Why was it better in my head. Why does it look like a turtle just rolled in blueberry jam over my page and I’m trying to pass this off as a novel. What is this life.
I’ve also been thinking so intently of a scene while out for a walk once that I started glaring really fiercely. I was in the scene OK? I was one with the scene. I also probably looked like an axe murderer–
BUT ALSO WHAT’S NEW. I have the resting face of Death.
8. WHEN YOU AWKWARDLY PLAGIARISE YOURSELF.
Also I’m putting “plagiarise” on my list of “words I can’t spell without crying and spellcheck” because what even is going on with the A’s and the I’s? I didn’t ask for this.
But anyway. I’m super good at accidentally stealing from myself. Like sometimes WHOLE SCENES. IT’S AMAZING. GO ME AND MY TALENT FOR THEFT. Kaz Brekker would be proud of me. *
This is super awkward because I’m terrified my books will end up sounding the same. Did I write this character before??? Did I use this plot twist before??? Is this dialogue sound like deja vu because I haven’t slept since 1664 or because I used it in my last book??? I have literally no memory.
I’m pretty much sending myself an angry letter about this.
* Actually probably not. He’d probably murder me in an alley but fine.
9. WHEN PEOPLE COMPLIMENT OR INSULT YOUR WRITING.
Like is there a HOW-TO-GUIDE on responding to these sorts of things?!?? I swear I have no idea how to accept a compliment. I usually result to saying, “Eeep!” and if I’m online, there’ll be 4 following emojis to try and convince you I’m intelligent and not at all awkward.
I’m doing a good job at that.
And insults are equally just as hard. I’ve legit entered a contest to have someone critique my query (this was years ago) where the author hosting said: “Well, no this will never get you an agent. Your book is all wrong.”
I mean. WHAT DO YOU EVEN SAY TO THAT. * Unless you want to throw a teaspoon and walk away shouting. Which I’m often tempted to do except I’m non-confrontational, except if you insult The Raven Cycle. And then, no, son, we’re having at it.
So basically: how do you people? Who would know. I suggest just using emojis to respond to every situation. I’ll be fine.
* Except LOL @ THAT AUTHOR, for I got an agent with that book and that query letter. 500% proof that you need to trust YOURSELF, little writerlings out there. Be ye encouraged.
10. LETTING YOUR FAMILY READ YOUR WRITING.
I do love my family (mostly) and I have a nice family (mostly) and the usually feed me cake when I’ve been writing for a long time (very good) — but HOLY HECK when they ask to read my writing???? Where are my 1-way tickets to Antartica. I cannot.
REASONS IT’S TERRIFYING FOR YOUR FAMILY TO READ YOUR WRITING:
- They will try to “see” themselves in it all. the. time. (“IS THIS CHARACTER ME, CAIT?” No for the 67th time. It’s not.)
- (Direct quote from my mother: “DID YOU BASE THE TALKING HORSE OFF ME. I CAN SEE YOU DID.”)
- So if you write horrible parents, your parents will start asking questions and looking offended.
- Honestly sometimes you just like your family to think you’re NICE. When they read your books?? Haha there goes that. I just stabbed everyone and they’re all swearing and crying.
- It’s embarrassing! You always put some of YOU on the page and they’ll see that before a stranger would. Like I’m not here to be vulnerable to my family. To complete strangers? Yes. To family? no.
- They analyse you after they read your writing…or maybe this is just my family? Haha, but woah this is awkward.
- They always assume the protagonist is secretly you.
- Romance scenes, OK? I…nope. Don’t read that.
My family IS a huge cheer squad for me, so I am grateful!
I’m pretty extra sure that when I announced my book deal, they were about to tell the postman. (PLEASE. NO.) And 67% of my texts to my sister are whining about some writerly thing which she companionably ignores and I’m planning to push her out of another tree sometime soon.
So it’s amazing and also I would be totally ok to go to Antartica when they read my writing, yes? Because even though these days I say, “No you can’t read it,” my parents respond with, “FINE WE’LL BUY IT WHEN IT COMES OUT.”
Pack my bags. Pack me. Just let me go, I’m a mess.
omg letting your family read your writing! AWKWARD speacially when they try to analyse, I’d be happy to move to a cave somewhere until they read and forget it thanks XD
IT IS HONESTLY THE WORST THING OF LIFE.😂😂 It’s so much easier to have random strangers read it!
Honestly I couldn’t give my writing to my parents. My sister or cousins maybe, but even friends or people I vaguely know ahhh I would be so scared they wouldn’t like it. I am an incredibly self conscious and private person. I wouldn’t let my mum help me with my homework because I couldn’t handle the judgement on my topic choice or what I’d written. I can’t even handle people looking over my shoulder at my computer screen.
I toootally get it. I mean, writing is very personal, right?!? And it’s like “okay so what” if a random person hates it, but if your FAMILY hates it then wait while we go die alone in a hole.😂
Yes. Yes. Yes. To all of the above. I can’t remember character’s names. And then the wrong couple starts kissing?!?! I didn’t tell them to do that. Awkward.
*throws cake in the air* EVERYTHING IS AWKWARD AND PAINFUL FOR WE WRITERS.
I’m constantly afraid of plagarising myself. I think I have but in small subtle ways? Not many people read my writing so it doesn’t matter much. I’m mostly okay with my family reading my writing, but I want it to be semi good first which excludes a lot of my writing. In general I find giving feedback and recieving feedback a struggle…it’s so hard to be gracious and/ or constructive
I often say ‘it’s not edited yet’ so then they can’t read it.😂 Come to think of it, maybe this is why I hate editing?!? Because afterwards you have no excuse not to let people read it AHHHH.😂😂 (And it’s really hard accepting feedback. They say “it’s not personal” but it always feels personal!??)
I get so nervous letting my mother read my stories. Urgh. Antarctica, yes please!
And as to plagiarizing myself. YES. Currently my WIP has exactly the same scene where exactly the same person explains exactly the same thing to exactly the same person. Whoops. I blame it on the stress of NaNo
My NaNo novel has the EXACT same thing, don’t worry.😂I plagiarised a whole plot twist from myself so like?? Can I go bury myself in a hole now??
If there is one thing I’m the best at is typos. Also grammar. WHY is it that when poets do it it’s UNIQUE and ARTISTIC but when I do it I’m WRONG and IN NEED OF A DICTIONARY?? I swear it’s not fair.
The most awkward thing about me is…that I can’t write in my first language. I AM SORRY but I just can’t. Everything I read is in English so when I must write in my first language my brain can’t turn the switch man. I don’t knkw what language I think in BUT WHEN I’M WRITING my brain casually decides I need an extra challenge (LIKE WRITING IS EASY ENOUGH ON IT’S OWN SURE) and just remains on English mode. Sureeee let’s write in the language I probably know exactly 0 grammar of GREAT PLAN.
UGH, THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT I’M SAYING. I’ve gotten to the point where I’m like, “No that’s not bad grammar. That’s art.” And they have to leave it. No one can fight me on this. I know what I’m doing.
*flaps around not knowing what is doing*
And I honestly think you’re AMAZING for knowing multiple languages so please.😂You’re way smarter than I am.😂
Enjoy your book coming out. YOU DESERVE IT. don’t apologize for being excited that something you worked so hard on has finally paid off and you’re willing to share it with the world
As for awkward writing probs, I am doing Nano. It’s actually astonishing that I’ve written 14k without passing the first chapter. I’ve been writing random scenes, instead. (HELP MY MC IS A LIMP FISH). I have no clue how to write dialogue or description or anything really. I’m just here tapping away at a keyboard pretending I know what’s doing on in my own book while my characters do crazy things.
No way would I feel comfortable letting my family read my writing. My entire family, friends, and random classmates at school know about me doing Nano and my parents will probably want to look at what I’ve written once I’m done but I’m dreading it.
Aww thank you.😂😂 I will probably never stop talking about it until you all STRANGLE ME but I’ve kept this a secret for so long!! It’s such a relief to be able to talk about it!!😂
My protagonists are always limp fish in the first drafts, DON’T EVEN WORRY JUST KEEP GOING. I seriously wnated to burn my novel to the ground halfway through, but a finished novel is easier to fix than a half-finished novel, right?!?
Good luck with everyone reading your work. *sends cake* You are very brave!
UHHHHGGGG THAT LAST ONE YES. It’s like please, I make some of this stuff up you know. I HAVE NOT DONE EVERYTHING MY CHARACTERS DO WHY ARE YOU LOOKING AT ME LIKE THAT AND KEEPING ME UNDER LOCK AND KEY.
*dies*
Most crazily, ~Olive
THIS IS EXACTLY IT. AGH. Let’s just never never let them read our work.😂
Ohmigod, no, I cannot let my family read my writing. Part of it is for their protection, because they think that Marvel movies are dark and violent (??? Nobody important ever gets hurt?) and if that’s their standard for what’s too much violence for them, boy, do I have some bad news for them about the sort of stuff I write. Part of it is for my protection because my dad does not hold back his opinions and WHAT IF HE HATES IT?
Omg I so hear you. I will admit I have possibly “edited” my book a little before pass it over.😂 Like I write super dark hahaha. *dies a little and never lets my family read it ever*
My most awkward writing moments are when I’m acting/talking out a scene or conversation between characters…out loud. And I forget my family is still in the room. 😩 They worry about me a lot.
Ahhhh the awkwardness.😂😂 They have to recognise we are talented creative geniuses thought, right?!?
My favorite awkward moment is when I open one of my PUBLISHED books and I find a typo. #thehorror.
And loose/lose kills me almost every time. I’m good with most homonyms, but that particular set…
Plagiarising myself, though … let’s see … I wrote two books in a row where a girl was training a fellow to swordfight (In one, it was her love interest, the other, her cousin), and in both, the girl told the fellow to attack her while she hadn’t yet drawn her sword. Now, the scenes ultimately played out differently, but #still. What do those two girls think that they have to prove? (The fact that the fellow can be on his guard even with his sword undrawn, but anywho.) And there is the fact that one of those girls actually stole her personality from the other, and I had to rebuild said other when I finally went and wrote her book.
Seriously, characters, do you, like, all live in the same head or something????
And I used to let my family read my books more than I do now. I mean, they’re still allowed to, but I don’t shove it in their faces like I used to. I’ve found other people to shove my books into their faces.
Oh no that’s terrible!! I relate though because the amount of typos I find in my books even after SO many rounds of edits. *walks into a wall*
And the plagiarising ourselves is such a problem agh. I stole a whole scene from one of my other books for my NaNo and I didn’t realise until I was writing it and am like “this is so familiar” duuuuh Cait.😂
most of my life is my mom going: the parents are cruel. Is that how you see us????? and me being like: …only when you turn the wifi off I’M KIDDING I’M KIDDING
OMG I RELATE SO HARD IT’S A PROBLEM.😂😂 I have horrible parents in my debut that’s coming out and like my mum is like “Ok so did you…base this off us?” nO MUM. OH MMGGGG. NO.😂😂
Hahahaha I totally agree with the family one-having your family read your writing is terrifing.
IT’S SO SCARY. CAN THEY JUST BELIEVE IN US AND SUPPORT US AND NOT READ IT.😂
The family one is SO BIG! I can deal with friends reading my stuff (mostly) and strangers reading it (because they don’t know me and I don’t know them but they have good taste in books) but family?? HAHAHA PLEASE NO. Can I join you in Antartica?
So so true, right!??? Like I literally got a book deal before I let my mum read it.😂😂 LET’S ALL GO TO ANTARTICA.
That sounds like what I’ll do in the future. 😂 Time to try and traditionally publish! Oh look, I got a book deal! Um, Mom, you can read it now! 😆 Or maybe I’ll just give it to her to read before I start looking. By the time I get a book deal, she still won’t be finished. (I’m not exaggerating; her reading speed is insanely slow)
YES, WE SHOULD!
Omg. I live and breathe these awkward moments EVERY DAY. By the fourth book I start to realize that every protagonist simply can’t have brown hair and green eyes so I start changing it up halfway through, and I’ll be in the middle of a book and my hero will have gone from blue to brown to hazel eyes in the span of an hour because who can remember??? And wounds? Pffft. My characters are apparently all immortal because stab wounds and burns somehow always disappear within the span of an hour. Realism? What’s that?
I’m also well aware I plagiarize myself, I’m trying to just embrace it this point since I have the creativity of a gnat.
Excuse me while I go hang my head in shame now.
I AM THE SAME THOUGH. Especially with the eyes!! Unless I like have a REALLY specific reason for their eyes and mention it a lot…I have no idea.😂 And then everyone ends up having rainbow eyes that change all the time and what is going on here, Cait, why are you like this.😂 And omg the WOUNDS. They always move and vanish. Or I forget I broke someone’s ribs and two seconds later they’re up and running about. *facepalm*
I also have the creativity of a gnat. My NaNo like stole a whole scene out of one of my previous books and I’m like…this is just fanfiction for my own work.
Okay, I read your post about the book deal when it came out but I didn’t have the chance to congratulate you so CONGRATULATIONS CAIT IM SO EXCITED WHEN CAN I PREORDER?!
Honestly, having been reading your blog for three (four?) years now (I am one of the few who fell in love with The Notebook Sisters and saw the transition to Paper Fury and instagram/twitter glory) I’m insanely proud. Even though I had nothing to do with it IVE BEEN WANTING A BOOK FROM YOU FOR AGES. The Dead Boy and the Papercut (I got the title wrong didn’t I? Really bad at names…) was a GREAT blessing, and now a book that I can hold in my hands and post a ton of instagram posts with??????? SO HAPPY.
I have to agree that my awkward writer moment is always not knowing where my book is going or even what I’m writing. And yes, I’ve done all the outlining and pinterest boards. I don’t mind if my sister reads my writing since she’s a ton better at analysing writing and helps a lot in that respect. However sending my writing to my best friends is a cringe moment for me because they do the family thing and totally read into the talking horse and also think they’re the protagonist. Wow.
I plagiarise myself aLL THE DAMN TIME.
I’ve been in quite a deep life slump for bloody ages and it got quite bad recently. But reading this post has inspired me a lot to keep at it and create as much writing as I possibly can. Thank you Cait, you’re always good at inspiring me to keep going with my work. <3
AWWW THANK YOU SO SO MUCH!! *tackle hugs* I’m absolutely out of my MIND with happiness…as is probably hard to tell.😂😂 But aww, you’ve stuck with me so long. I’m sniffling happy tears now. And also really impressed I haven’t terrified you away. I’m just glad I’ll finally be able to let everyone see what I’ve been working on for so long. 😍😍
It’s really good having sisters who can actually HELP fix plot points and stuff haha. My sister is a good critiquer, but I know she’s more protecting my feelings so that’s nice but…not always helpful.😂 And I’m glad I’m not the only self-plagiriser. Omg why is it so hard?!? In my NaNo book, I realised I completely STOLE a scene from another book and ugh. *faceplants into a wall*
I’m really glad you’re coming out of the slump though! I loathe slumps.😭😭*sends you all the cake*
This post is hilarious! I can relate to almost all of these. I get this a lot, “I’d like to write a book someday, I’ve written blah blah blah and such and such.” How am I supposed to respond? They either want to write a book or they don’t.
I’m so glad you liked it!!😂 And omg the questions/comments people give writers are so weird though?!? I hate the “oh I’d write too If I had spare time”…like way to belittle what we do. argh.
My most awkward writer moment was when a friend of mine was proofing it and she found this one scene and gave me this look like “what even is this trash” and said “This is probably the most awkward thing I’ve ever read, like, seriously.” And I didn’t really notice because I’m over there internally cackling at my poor characters and didn’t think about how awkward it would be for the readers to read that and I kind of cringed myself to death and rewrote the entire book. FUN!
Yes, I relate to all of yours, You are the utmost #RELATABLE.
I do let my family read my writing, and by read, I mean I’ve basically written a censored version without half of the cussing and suggestive scenes I like, and then before I actually go to send it to anyone to try and get published BOOM. (my mother will be so ashamed of me, She does not understand that the characters cuss like sailors and that it not a reflection of me.)
Yes, I’m 100% sure I’ve plagiarized myself on more than one occasion because WHO CARES ABOUT THESE OLD MANUSCRIPTS THIS IS MY MOST IMPORTANT WIP I DON’T CARE ANYMORE.
*awkward laughing*
UGH I HATE THE CRINGEY MOMENTS LIKE THAT. I mean I’m GLAD we have friends to tell us to be better but omg it’s so hard to deal with?!😂 And every time I look back at my last year’s work I go “oh no”…which makes me just want to bury all my writing forever.😂 SELF CONFIDENCE? WHERE FORE ART THOU.
And omg I have censored my books before letting my parents read them too.😂I’m glad I’m not alone hahah *dies*
I used to enjoy writing things for fun (I don’t have time anymore) and I won a short story contest several years ago. Having my family read it was terrifying! They all said it was good, but uggg!! I also would write without any clue as to what was going to happen, so it was a plotless jumble of words, but I enjoyed it! 😄
Hey that’s so so cool you won a contest!! CONGRATS FOR THAT!!
This is soooooooooooo relatable, Cait. I’m terrified to let my family or anyone read my writing, really. The only person who read something I’ve done is my sister. She was really nice about it all, so… yeah, I’m really grateful for that, but it’s still TERRIFYING. I’m also glad you mentioned you forget names of your characters. This happens to me constantly. I ALWAYS need to check again how they’re called, or sometimes I just end up changing their names without noticing when I write. #fail
Great post!!
I hear you!! I actually like my sister to read my stuff but she never has time.😂 But like parents are just so stressful for some reason!?? And when people say someone not liking your work isn’t personal, bAH. It is personal!! I think most of us writers suffer from bad self-confidence so we need our family to like it at least. I’d rather not know if they do and just not let them read it, rather then have a definite: no.
😂 I’M TERRIBLE.
Another great post as always. This is what Saturdays are made of. You got me at that introduction, you know how to do it the perfect way to catch the attention of the reader and go on with the main topic. The first three points are not only when you’re writing a book but writing in general, doesn’t matter what. So on point! And for the people, everybody is different so they have their own ways to do it. But there is nothing to be afraid of, just keep doing what you love. Listen to the critics if it’s constructive take it, and if it’s not – leave it. You don’t have so much time anyway. And that 7 point – arghhh! sometimes you think that even a description of a lettuce would be better than the scene you’ve imagined. 🙂
Aww, thanks, Yulia!😂 And I’m so glad the whole post caught you! I TRY.😂
And omg it’s hard when you THINK you might have written something good, but it could also be a complete puddle.😂 Writing is HARD.
I currently have a sticky note with all my different descriptions of buildings covered in ivy written on it along with which stories they belong to to AVOID plagiarising myself. There’s a strong possibility I write about too many ivy-covered buildings.
And no. No, I do not let my family read my writing.
It’s like you MIGHT have a thing with ivy?! Who can know.😂 And honestly I’ve just started inter-connecting my worlds so I can use the same settings and a few of the same characters and save myself the drama.😂
1, 3, and 7 hit me hard. But, I’m still standing for more masochism I guess. At some point, we choose to love the pain and pleasure we get from writing.
We do love pain. We’re have seriously warped priorities but OH WELL.😂
I swear, every time I write something remotely dark, I can hear my mom yelling in my ear about how this isn’t me at all and how I should write about happy thing. #whoops #failedthatexpectation
Oh noooo.😂 I do hear you though.😂 My mum is always like “let me read it!” and I’m like “nooo you think I’m a nice person.” Also it’s WAY more terrifying to have your family/parents not like your work?!?
Aha the amount of times I’ve forgotten my characters names part way through, is actually shameful. Also, my parents have read some of my stuff…just erm not the current projects but I’ll let them read my poems cause I mean its not as awkward or terrifying. As for the day when they read a romance scene, I think I’ll just move somewhere…on seconds thoughts I’ll just stay in my room, buy a kettle for my room and have endless tea supply and will avoid them at all costs. Cause writing romance scenes are soooo tricky, like how? Or maybe that’s just me, like I seriously struggle with writing romance scenes mainly cause ha my longest relationship was 3 months and was my only relationship and when you’ve got no experience romantically HOW THE HELL DO YOU WRITE IT FOR THESE CHARACTERS WHO ARE SUPPOSED TO SOMEHOW KNOW HOW TO KISS AND STUFF?! I DON’T KNOW HOW I JUST WRITE WORDS AND HOPE IT SOUNDS ALRIGHT AND NOT like I just word vomited onto the page in terror.
Typos I tend to just miss off certain letters of words or miss an actual word out because I was just that excited to be typing away, and then sometimes when I edit the sentence makes no sense without that word and by that point, I have no clue what that word even was. *a decade later* I then remember that word.
Going back to the parent thing, being an only child here I’m also rather close with both my parents, so I do actually ask them for advice and ideas on my work. I’m odd I know. But erm…TWO BOOKS?! Where’s this other mystery book, and I’m oh so intrigued.
p.s I can’t spell necessary it comes out like this > necarsessery without spell check, or some warped version. I just can’t spell it.
I won’t lie…I have literally edited stuff out for a different draft for my parents to read.😂 HEY BUT WE SURVIVE HOWEVER WE CAN RIGHT?!? They stop pestering me to read it and I get to take out the kissing and torture scenes.😂 Ahem. Ok. I’ll take myself to the corner of evil now. (And I have like no romance experience AT ALL so writing romance for me is as stressful as trying to get a good murder scene right. Murder…kissing…all oddness.)
I LOVED THIS POST and also… you pushed your sister OUT OF A TREE? WHAT?
ahahaha I can relate to all of these though! I WILL NEVER LET MY FAMILY READ MY WRITING except for my sister and except for my death scenes.
Nooo she fell out of a tree! I’m just thinking of pushing her out…but shh do not let her know. I’m pretending to be nice.😂
I totally agree with some of these! Especially the not letting your family read your writing, keeping track of things and knowing what your book is about. For me, also having an idea sound amazing in your head, still seem great as you begin writing it, but after awhile you just completely lose interest in it.
YES! Or you write it and completely ruin it.😂
That’s true! So many ideas sound amazing in your head but turn out in a disappointing manner. And I forgot to mention, self plagiarising? Definitely me with my main characters.
OH MY, THE 1ST AND THE 4TH AND THE 7TH AND THE 10TH AND ALL THESE POINTS ARE SO ME THAT IT’S NOT EVEN F U N N Y.
Now that I’ve started NaNo, I can relate to so much more of this?! and also the talking horse part was literally hilarious- I got a really awkward mental picture because I went shopping today and I saw a mannequin in a suit with a horse head. There were about five of these, actually, and my boyfriend pointed them out and everybody stared at me laughing, #prideforawkwardness
I’M HERE TO READ ALL OUR MINDS, MARYAM. QUALITY CONTENT FROM PAPER FURY. (Shh let me pretend.)
Omg I love your story there. 😂 I swear every day you stay a writer, the weirder we get.😂
So much #10. Though now it’s my husband and he is like “why can I not read over your shoulder?” BECAUSE NO. It’s embarrassing. “But you’re trying to get this published, right? So everyone can read it? So why can’t I?”
*headdesk* So complicated, the feelings.
IT’S HORRIBLE, WHY DO PEOPLE NOT UNDERSTAND THIS?!? Like way to make me go from being an author to write completely dribble. Just get me crayons and tears why don’t you. 😭😭
All of these apply to me and are we twins? I think so. Then again, I suppose this was meant to be #relatable to writers. You have succeeded. Congratulations.
I HAVE SUCCEEDED AT LIFE. SOMEONE THROW ME A CAKE PARTY OMG.
Ohh I totally agree with everything you said! I always have discussions with myself is my idea the new Harry Potter or just compete trash…
One other thing that happens to me and it’s really weird, is when I’m writing in school or somewhere public and then I have to google some stuff that are very weird. Like I google types of weapons all the time, or just I’m on sites for picking a name for your baby when I need a name for my characters. I’m always afraid somebody is going to see my weird search! lol
that’s why I like to write in my home, and have nightmares of people looking through my search history and thinking I’m crazy 🙂
It’s always a good question whether we’re genius or just deluded.😂 I still can’t figure it out BUT OH WELL.
I can’t write out because of distractions, so I don’t really wonder what people think of my search results but omg I laugh when people are all like “writers google murder all the time!” and I’m here…on a baby name website.😂
I have two characters in my book who have like the almost same name. So I accidentally write the other ones names. It gets really awkward. Also my smol sister looks over my shoulder at what I’m writing and she asks really naggy questions. Like this was our conversation the other day.
Lyd: Why does that character die?
Me: Cause he got murdered
Lyd: But why?
Me: CAUSE I WANTED HIM TO!
P.S- Those HP memes are the best
Emmy
Omg I hear you with the name thing! Although I had a book with characters with names that were COMPLETELY different, but both rather gender-neutral and in one scene I just swapped them?! I don’t even know what’s going on.😂
Awkward writer-problems: Writing 10k in a day and watching everyone else go “OMG WUT?! HOW?!”
OTHER PEOPLE WRITE THIS MUCH TOO.
I SWEAR I AM HUMAN.
Omgggg I hear you and relate to this so hard.😂 Everyone’s constantly saying “You’re not human!” to me and I’m just…here…doing my best.😂 IDK why it’s acceptable to write slow but not fast?!
This post is so relateable! (Relate-able? How on earth do you spell that? Spell check hates me. Is this NOT a word?) I particularly liked the following points:
6. THE CASE OF THE MISSING OBJECTS AND WOUNDS.
YES! Especially when it comes to important scenes like, I don’t know, THE CLIMAX. In my latest story, I forgot my MC nearly sprained her wrist in one chapter, and next thing I know, she’s trying to climb a bookshelf. Yeah right. So, that’s been “fun” to edit.
9. WHEN PEOPLE COMPLIMENT OR INSULT YOUR WRITING.
Congrats on getting an agent despite some negative feedback. Way to go, Cait!
I think relatable is a word?! It better be anyway because I use it all the time hahhha.😂 But omg I’ve had that whole thing where the wounds just move around. Or in edits I notice I gave someone a head gash and then never mentioned it again.😂 HELP. WRITING IS HARD.
I LOVE this. And yes, I’m so squeamish about writing romance stuff too…just, no😂😂and. THE RAVEN CYCLE IS BEAUTIFUL YASSSS
IT’S SO HARD TO WRITE ROMANCE OMG.😂😂 The Raven Cycle is EVERYTHING though afjdkslad perfect series is perfect.
I finally let my mother read my current series-in-progress, but I’ve made it very sweet and innocent (except for all the violence). However, I’m working on my NaNo project, which has cursing and the first sex scene I’ve ever written (holy crap! that was weird!), and I CANNOT give it to my super-conservative mother. Nope. I’m probably going to clean it up just because I can’t handle how she’ll react.
I totally relate hahah. And *whispers* I confess that I have “edited” my books before passing them on. I’m pretty sure my parents don’t know how much my characters swear.😂
I was totally in the writing groove last night and catching up to my word count and everything, and then came a part where I had to introduce a new character that had been pretty well-defined in my head up until that point…and then I realized that I hadn’t given him a name. Not even a glimpse at a name. But he was so distinctive to me at that point that I had to give him the RIGHT name, which meant like an hour online trying to find the perfect one and the end to my flowing word count.
I get the thing about having parents read it, too. My mom was telling my dad over the weekend that I write novels ever November, then said something like, “But I’m still waiting on reading them. I don’t know what she does with all of them.” And I’m over here thinking…even if I publish them someday, I might never tell her. XD
Ohhh I totally relate to that! I legit have written entire 20K outlines and not had names for anyone yet.😂 Names are HARD and if it’s not perfect it feels weird??!?
My parents say basically the same thing haha. I only let my mum read my book when I’d gotten a book deal for it because I was like “ok even if she hates it SOMEONE OUT THERE STILL LOVES IT”.😂 (I mean, she loved it, but I think I lost 13 years off my life.)
This is this funniest post of yours I have ever read (or maybe it’s just because I RELATE SO MUCH?!?!?!) Either way I’m thankful that I’m not alone, but also I’m feeling a little giggly because you nailed the heck out of each one of these points!! Love.
AhhhHHH!!! It makes me SO happy you liked it though, THANKS. 😂😂
WHY IS THIS POST LITERALLY EVERY THING HAHAHAHAHHAHA u r amazing
I’M GLAD YOU LIKED IT.😂😂
Number 5? yeah number 5 is me 100% of the time.
Writing is SO HARD, Sam, so hard.😂
The last book of mine that my mom has read is one I wrote when I was eleven, so that’s… great. I agree that it’s INCREDIBLY awkward to have family read your writing, but she also probably thinks I still write like an eleven-year-old. (Who knows, maybe I do though. HAHAHAHAHA……😣) My dad has read about two books in his entire life, neither of them mine. Lucky me!😂
In terms of plagiaaiaiaaiiarising myself, I have definitely done that! In particular, with individual phrases. I write “snorted” “rolled eyes” and “sarcastic” about twice per page, I’m not even kidding. I guess I have pretty snarky characters…
The last book of mine that my mom has read is one I wrote when I was eleven, so that’s… great. I agree that it’s INCREDIBLY awkward to have family read your writing, but she also probably thinks I still write like an eleven-year-old. (Who knows, maybe I do though. HAHAHAHAHA……😣) My dad has read about two books in his entire life, neither of them mine. Lucky me!😂
In terms of plagiaaiaiaaiiarising myself, I have definitely done that! In particular, with individual phrases. I write “snorted” “rolled eyes” and “sarcastic” about twice per page, I’m not even kidding. I guess I have pretty snarky characters…
(Also I completely relate to the emoji thing. 😎😎🙃)
Also apparently I can’t technology anymore.
I know how you feel!! I think I had like a 5 year gap between when I first was writing and let my mum read it and then suddenly GOT THE FEAR IN ME and then she had to like wait so so long. I basically ONLY let her read a book because it was being published and I might as well get it out the way now. 😂 The worst? Me? yes.
Oooooooh boy! I totally understand about the family-wants-to-read thingamajig! Gooooossssshhh I just want to die slowly because All The Judgment and I can’t even and OHMYNORNS NO. I have no idea how I’m ever gonna show them anything! Especially what I’m writing lately…. Romance….. I have the same problem with phenomenal! I can NEVER FREAKING SPELL THE DANG WORD! I don’t even know how you wrote the one word about stealing from your writing….. (like, I’m not even attempting, see, because spelling results from Google will give me “plague” and not the word I need) so, like, a nonillion rounds of applause because you managed to write it! This post was so true and honest and great! I loved every word and even laughed out loud once or thrice.
It’s just not even worth the suffering.😂I only finally relented to let my parents read my book because it was getting published and by that point I was like OH WELL, DOOM IS COMING WHETHER I LIKE IT OR NOT.😂
Omg I can’t spell plagiarism without crying so don’t worry. Spellcheck is my friend.
Ahaha, it really isn’t.. . . but then it is. . . I can’t decide. . . BRING ON THE DOOM AND ETERNAL BLUSHING. *clears throat* *squeals* THANK GOODNESS I AM NOT ALONE! I, too, adore spellcheck!
I love doing the same things in all of my stories, which basically means all of my characters go through a lot of pain throughout and then I kill some of them off even though they almost survived to the end and usually there’s a hostage at some point. Have I written a happy story since elementary school? Exactly one, I think.
DO NOT LET MY FAMILY ANYWHERE NEAR MY WATTPAD PLEASE AND THANK YOU.
Changing paragraphs is usually a big awkward mess for me. Is it too long? Too short? Are there too many? What would my teachers say? And then I stop writing and grab a snack because I DIDN’T ASK FOR THIS.
Pfft who wants to write happy stories.😂 I still haven’t ever managed one. But ohhh wow I was on wattpad for a while and OH MY FAMILY COULD NEVER KNOW.😂
Getting a snack probably will solve all your writing problems. I approve.
Now I’m intrigued. Does this elusive Wattpad still exist? We will never know….
So one time I forgot the word “photogenic” so instead I said “genetically photographic” and I feel that’s the same thing. IT’S THE SAME THING JUST USE YOUR IMAGINATION TO FIGURE IT OUT ARE WE READERS OR NOT? Other fun type I always make? Him and her. Constantly flipping them, I don’t know what. Also She and He. Like, I guess all my characters are gender-fluid or what?
And I’ve never minded when some dialogue or running joke or SOMETHING showed up in a bunch of books by the same author. It’s like a signature on a painting or something. A little hidden detail that tells you, “Yep, you’re reading a book by so-and-so.” (actually, I had a baby-signature when I was writing fan fiction per requests of my friends and I actually saw the same signature crop up in a book- I actually think it was a Stiefvater one but I’d have to re-read to be sure- and I was super happy because it was like, “yay! someone thinks like me! I’m not alone in my insanity!”)
My family is not allowed to read my writing. Except my brother who is supportive no matter what and my grandmother who would probably beat me over the head with a book if I tried to keep my books from her. The rest of the family are just little weasels of negativity so no thank you.
That is totally the same thing *nods* My family doesn’t even understand words so half the time we’re like “pass me the thingie thing” because like WHAT IS THE HUMAN LANGUAGE. WE DON’T KNOW.
I don’t mind like “signature” styles in books either.😂 I can tell Stiefvater’s style like a MILE away and Leigh Bardugo used the same sort of line in Six of Crows and Wonderwoman and I geeked out when I saw it.
I totally understand about the family.😂 So far my mum hasn’t hated anything, but she literally only got to read my book because it was getting published anyway so I’m like: eh what’s left to loose. AT LEAST I’VE BEEN PAID IF SHE HATES IT. (I mean: spoiler alert, she did not hate it. But stillllll.)
I feel this. Explaining your stories=what? And I once forgot which character’s dad did one certain important thing at the beginning and wrote like half a conversation with the wrong dad so yikes. AND SO MUCH YES about being totally cool with strangers reading your stuff but anyone you actually know in real life=panic. I’m not even at that stage yet but I feel the anxiety.
Ahh I’m so glad we are in agreement. 😂 The writer’s life is HARD but at least we’re all strange little gremlins together?!😂
Omw. Letting my mom read my stories… Heck no!
I think my biggest and most AGITATING moment is when I’m in the middle of writing and we have to leave the house abruptly, and my mom is like hurrying me just to close my laptop… so I just obey her and close it, but when I come home, I CAN’T FIND WHAT I WAS WRITING! It is SO annoying! Or, if i save somethin in a folder, but when I try to find it again, I can’t… DX
Those are probably my most annoying writer moments…