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C.G. @ Paper Fury

What To Do When You Think Your Writing Woefully Sucks

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Self doubt absolutely sucks.

When one is a writer and is suddenly struck with that paralysing notion of “OMG WHAT IF EVERYTHING I’VE EVER WRITTEN IS AWFUL?” it’s rather hard to bounce out of it. Have you been there, done that? Me too, my friend, me too.

So. How do we climb out of the “I suck at writing and everything is woeful” hole? What is the golden secret?!

Lucky for you (pfft, I’m joking, lucky for me) I have gathered a conglomeration of writers to discuss these doldrums. I turned my highly powerful puppy-dog-eyes on these fabulous fiends, and they’ve contributed to my post. I’m quite excited to do another collaboration post after the gloriousness that was my 2015 YA book predictions! SO ENJOY. That was a requirement by the way, decreed by your queen. [Me.]

me + cameraCAIT @ PAPER FURY

I’m going to be super short and sweet I’m always so sweet because everyone below is amazing and sums up my thoughts so well. Doubt sucks, but an important thing to remember is: EVERYONE GOES THROUGH THIS! You’re not alone! Also keep in mind:

  • If you think you suck, then it means you have excellent taste in art and want to improve. That’s GREAT.
  • Taking a break or hiatus from your novel is not a bad thing.
  • Don’t compare yourself to published authors. They aren’t working on their books alone! They’ve got hoards of professional input and (trust me) it changes everything.
  • Remind yourself why you’re working on this project/novel. Plaster a big sign on your bedroom wall, do WHATEVER IT TAKES, but just keep the reason you’re passionate about your book on your mind.
  • Definitely eat chocolate. Like, totally ignore the rest of my list, and just eat chocolate. It’ll work.

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KARA @ DIARY OF A TEEN WRITERDiary of a Teen Writer

Literally the BEST thing to do when you’re feeling down about your writing is to take. A. Step. BACK. Because, if you’re all like me, and you’re constantly hovering between those states of this-is-the-best-thing-ever to why-did-I-even-want-to-be-a-writer-oh-gosh-this-sucks, then you’re not really going to be looking at your writing from a balanced, complete perspective. Sometimes the best cure for feeling down about your writing is space. Go for a walk. Watch a TV show. Read a book. See a movie. Eat some chocolate. (I highly suggest this last one. Very beneficial.) BUT, in saying that, don’t let yourself wallow in self-pity for too long, either. Accept that your writing is not going to perfect–as hard as this is for perfectionists like me–and come back to your writing with the attitude that, hey, it might not be the best, but I can always work on it to make it better.

The Magic ViolinistKATE @ THE MAGIC VIOLINIST

This is a tricky topic for multiple reasons. First off, because all writers deal with writer’s block and self-doubt. There’s no avoiding it, I’m afraid. You will encounter it at some point in your life. Second of all, because there’s no one way to deal with it. We’re all unique and handle our writing troubles differently. But hopefully I can at least give you some ideas on how to tackle this gloominess.

When I’m feeling down about my writing, I try hard to balance stepping away and not getting lazy. We all need breaks sometimes, so I’ll take a couple days to read and watch Netflix and recharge. But I can’t wait for too long, otherwise I’ll procrastinate. After those couple days of relaxing, I make myself sit down and write something. It could be anything–a blog post, fan-fiction, a poem, or just a piece of freewriting–but it has to be something. It doesn’t even have to be good. Usually just getting back into the habit of typing on my keyboard is enough to give me that push I need. Don’t worry if you’re feeling down. You’ll be back to normal in no time!

TDOT blog button small serifALYSSA @ THE DEVIL ORDERS TAKE-OUT

You know when people say write the book you want to read? The book you want to read is of course perfection itself. The book you write often isn’t.
When my writing isn’t where I want it to be, I do one of two things. First, I can power on — but switch tactics. Sometimes this means boiling my writing down into a query or a synopsis to get at its essence, or separating it into different documents, or calling upon my wonderful CPs and betas to talk it over. The feeling might be just nerves, but more often it’s a legit problem in my writing. Changing perspectives lets me see what’s wrong and hopefully dig my way out.
The other option is to step away. Not just from the project I’m struggling with, but all writerly things, so that I can recharge completely. Getting a new stack of books is a prime example, but I also dabble in fanfiction, graphic design, and knitting. Yes, knitting. I’m actually knitting a scarf right now. (A scarf with holes, but that’s beside the point.) No, I’m not knitting the names of my enemies into it.

blog photoSOPHIA @ RAVENS AND WRITING DESKS

Do you other writers ever just look at this beautiful, heartbreaking, mindblowing, complicated world, and think – I’m supposed to turn that into WORDS? It’s kind of ironic that something so glorious as our planet and the people who inhabit it could make me feel so depressed about my ability to write, but it does. I wonder: How will I ever become skillful enough? How have my favorite authors become skillful enough? WHERE IS THE MAGIC POTION?

You all know, obviously, that there is a magic potion and it is called Practice, but it’s still so easy to get overwhelmed, especially with the idea that all those fabulous authors out there write better than you. (They’re so good, how will I ever get published, I might as well stop writing.) (Bad idea.) The greatest cure I’ve found for this kind of writerly jealousy and despair was an old post by Maggie Stiefvater wherein she shares with us an old excerpt of her childhood writing. Because if I know that MAGGIE used to write that mediocrely, it makes me feel a heck of a lot more confident about my own writing.

Another thing I do to help me when I’m feeling down about my writing is – short stories! The awesome thing about short stories it that they’re short. (No, duh.) You can jot a couple pages down and feel accomplished, and they help get your mind off your current larger project. It’s especially nice to write a short story in a different genre then your main project.

 Little Birdie BooksALLIE @ LITTLE BIRDIE BOOKS 

Firstly, I must have some sort of cake (or brownie, I’m not picky) and it must be chocolate. I then proceed to have a carefully constructed ritual of sobbing while eating said cake. Let it never be said writers cannot multi-task!

Then I begin the deconstructing: why am I feeling down about my writing? Am I comparing it to other people’s? If so, I tell myself to GET IT TOGETHER. Not everybody writes the same way and that’s the beauty of being a writer. You get to share your unique voice and ideas with the world. The entire selling point is that it’s something different. So be proud of that. Don’t try and emulate someone else, because then you lose the magic.

If I’m just feeling like my writing isn’t up to standard in general, then I’ve probably lost my mojo/love for the story (this is an incredibly technical term, obviously. Mojo, from the Latin: to be unable to form coherent sentences or thoughts, causing one to eat much cake). The best fix I have for this is going back over and reading my story. From the beginning. I put myself into the mind-set of the reader and just binge. While I’m reading I edit (always useful), but it’s mostly SUPER helpful in inspiring me. I get so many new ideas and start to see my characters in a new light and, really, it just refreshes the story for me. It helps rekindle my love for it and remember why I started writing it in the first place. And that then puts my writerly gears back in action.

Aaand a third and final tip: FORGET ABOUT IT. I don’t mean abandon it entirely. I mean forget about it for a week. Or two. Or a month. Put it off your radar and kick back and relax. It’s not going anywhere and you’ll be surprised how much taking a break will inspire an awesome comeback. Sometimes we get stressed and worry if we don’t write then the world might end and someone will forbid us from ever eating chocolate again. But it’s not true. The world will keep going and taking a break will make you and your story come alive again.

Failing that, return to step one.

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SKY @ FURTHER UP AND FURTHER IN

We’ve all been there. WHO WROTE THIS AWFUL MESS OF WORDS AND GIBBERISH? That’s when you realize: Oh. I did. When this happens, what’s a writer to do?

1.) Take a step back. Let your writing simmer for a while. When you come back, you may have fresh perspective. And if you don’t, that’s when you get to edit your writing and hack it to pieces.

​ Which leads me to…​


2.) Kill your darlings. Or, in this case, your not-so-darlings. If you can pinpoint what it is that’s making you go EW about your writing, then fix it, that will probably help you get your face out of permanent cringe mode.

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3.) CONFIDENCE IS KEY. Find a piece of writing you do like. Read that. Remember: you. are. awesome. Even if you think some of your writing isn’t awesome, there’s always the next novel. The next sentence. The next word. ​Believe it or not, yo​u can write awesome things. You’ve got this.​

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 IMG_2538MIRRIAM @ WISHFUL THINKING

Here’s the thing – every writer is going to be down about their writing, at some point. Nobody ever cruises along on a surface of perfection, Nobody writes 10,000 words every day, and nobody leans back in their chair and thinks, “Yep. That’s it. I won’t change a thing.” Personally, I go through phases. I write steadily in the grand scheme of things, but I’ll have a few days or even a week where I feel dry, and the most I can manage is a sentence or two here and there. (Nothing makes you feel more pathetic, as a writer.)

Fortunately, I’ve learned some helpful tricks over the years.

  • It’s okay. You don’t have to write every day. You can take a break and read a book or watch a show or go for a hike or draw a picture. It’s good to take a break from things now and then, even if it’s only a small one.
  • Try reading books or watching movies/TV shows in the same genre as what you’re writing, if you lack inspiration. This is a trick that always helps me.
  • Turn off the music. I have a dozen tailored playlists on iTunes, but sometimes when I’m really stuck, I just need to turn the music off.
  • Look at why you’re stuck. One of the main reasons I get stuck is because I’ve written something wrong – a character’s name or personality, a plotline that doesn’t need to be in there. Somehow, my subconscious knows that I’m doing something wrong, and it shuts down on me. Look back over things.
  • Get a second opinion. I have close friends who read what I write and are enormously helpful with this kind of thing – find someone you trust and have them read what you’ve written. Hear them out.

And in the end, curling up with Netflix and a cup of coffee is a perfectly acceptable thing to do. You can write tomorrow.

The Book HuggerCHLOE @ THE BOOK HUGGER

I’m sure many of you have experienced the dreaded feeling of believing that your writing isn’t has good as someone else’s. It makes you want to rip whatever you’re writing to shreds. But do not fear! I have tips for you on how to defeat this monster.

  • Don’t read other young writers’ writing. If you are a young writer, do not read other young people’s writing. This will probably reinstate the self-doubt and end up comparing yourself to others. 
  • Take a break from your piece. Or from writing altogether. Sometimes it’s good to let something sit for two days or two weeks or two months. Whatever seems like the best amount of time for you. Then, when you go back, it will be fresh and your brain won’t be as clogged.
  • REMEMBER: YOU ARE STILL LEARNING. This tip is especially for younger writers, but also can be targeted at anyone. You are not a professional, paid author. You need to remember that you are not 100% experienced yet and do not have all the skills you’d like to eventually master.
  • Do not compare yourself with published authors. If you are doing this, just first, STAHP. These authors are published for a reason. They are far more experienced and have gone through a lot to get their books in print. You are not their equal, and therefore cannot compare your writing with theirs.
  • And lastly, remember: you’re fabulous.

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phewf, that’s a lot of info to wade through, but i hope you liked it, my bathymetric blogglings! do you agree with these tips?! do you DISAGREE with any?! totally share in the comments, i want your thoughts! and add to my list: what do you do when you think your writing sucks??

How To Get More Comments On Your Blog

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Hello

Comments are awesome. I love comments. They make me feel that blogging is worthwhile! It’s not much fun having a conversation if I’m the only one talking right?!*

But have you ever sat down and kicked your heels because you CAN’T figure out how to get more comments?

LET ME HELP! I’ve gone from having a blog with 5 comments maximum per post, to over 50 comments per post. It is awesome. (And I appreciate everyone’s comments so so much.) It didn’t “just happen”, though. I worked really hard.

So what’s the secret?!

Oh, oh, I’m so glad you asked, my botanical blogglings!** I have a most wonderful post for you.

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* Although my voice and opinions are, of course, beautiful.
** I do not, in any way, think you are plants. I just like alliteration. Unless you are a plant, in that case, congratulations for being the most intelligent plant in the universe. I acknowledge your leafyness.

1. GO COMMENT ON OTHER BLOGS

If I can only give you one tip, THIS IS IT, MY FINE FRIENDS. Go comment on other people’s blogs! Visit! Leave meaningful comments. Follow a ton of blogs. When you join in linkups, go and visit a dozen other blogs. JUST GO TALK TO PEOPLE. It works.

In 2013, I averaged about 5 comments a post. In 2014, I started commenting on a bunch of blogs. I followed. I commented regularly. I was a pesky barnacle with friendly things to say. Now in 2015, I average on 50 comments a post.

But pleasepleaseplease don’t just say “Cool post!” and leave a link to your blog. That’s not what I mean. It’s okay to leave a link to your blog, but make sure your comment is about THEIR blog. (Short comments are okay, too. You don’t need to leave epistles! Just be meaningful.) Also, when you follow a new blog, do tell the blogger! It’s totally fine to introduce yourself and your blog and leave links.

There are tons of blogs who do “Bloggers Commenting Back” which is basically I-comment-on-your-blog-and-you-comment-on-mine. It spreads the love and encourages conversation. IT IS AWESOME.

 

2. REPLY TO COMMENTS

This is really important because you acknowledge your audience! You’re saying, “Hey you! That’s a smart and intelligent thing you just said and I appreciate your opinion.” Everyone wants to be acknowledged.

It’s also furthering the conversation!

I, for one, have been really ticked off (totally curled into my corner of sadness) when I’ve commented faithfully on blogs and had the blogger ignore me. It’s like talking to a wall. Why would I bother?! I quit that blog and focused on talking to people who actually want to talk to me.

 

3. ASK QUESTIONS IN YOUR POSTS

You could just say “pie is the best, life is pie, there is only pie” and end your post there. OR, you could say “pie is the best, but chocolate cake is glorious too, ack, decisions…which do you prefer?” The latter invites discussion and comments!

People love having opinions! (HELLO. We are bloggers. Why else do we blog?!) They love to express these opinions. I get specific about my questions in my posts. I write a list of questions at the end of a post for people to reply to! If I can’t think of any “discussion questions” then I know my post is too one-sided.

 

4. CARE ABOUT YOUR AUDIENCE

This comes out in tone and phrasing of your post…and I think it’s important! I like to read blogs where I don’t feel like my opinions is going to be discarded instantly. And you can usually tell from the tone of the post. If the blogger has gone off on a discussion/rant and are constantly underlining how right they are and how perfect their opinion is, I know they’re not going to care about mine.

When you blog, make sure your audience feels welcome to speak their minds in the comments. Don’t write like you have the only opinion in the universe. (It helps if you present multiple opinions in your post, too, for readers to mull over.) Be genuine about wanting feedback or critisim or other opnions. You don’t have to agree with the commenters, but you do need to be respectful of their opinions. Just because it’s the internet doesn’t mean you can be rude. NOT EVER.

 

5. HAVE A SIMPLE COMMENTING PLATFORM

This is REALLY important, peoples! There is nothing more frustrating than reading an awesome post and going to comment and realising…oh. I can’t because this commenting platform is weird/confusing/descends-from-martians.

The main thing you want is to have anyone and everyone be able to comment. You want a commenting platform that, ideally, doesn’t need you to sign in.

COMMENTING PLATFORMS TO AVOID:

  • Google+ – This one is ridiculous because you can ONLY comment if you have a google+. Lots of people don’t! (I don’t.)
  • Blogger – Oftentimes blogger is set so only blogger uses can comment. You can change this in your “comment settings” and have it so anyone can comment. (I totally recommend doing this if you’re on blogger.)
  • Free WordPress – this is the same as blogger, usually it only let’s WordPress users comment. If you have a blog that ends with wordpress.com, you’re limiting your commenters to wordpress users only. BAD IDEA! Lots of people are on blogger and still want to comment! [EDIT: Apparently I was mistaken for this and it’s not true! So IGNORE ME. ha. ha.]

BETTER PLATFORM OPTIONS:

  • IntenseDebate – Installing this one is quite easy and there are great tutorials! It allows anyone to comment without signing in. YAY. Downfalls are, if you switch commenting platforms later on, you lose comments. (I lost all my ID comments when I went from blogger to wordpress self-hosted.)
  • Disqus – Disqus is pretty darn awesome in appearance and fastness. Speedy! YAY. You can have an option to NOT sign in, too, but you have to switch that setting.
  • WordPress self hosted – This is what I have and, obviously, it’s awesome. (Although, truthfully, I still have people tell me WP eats their comments or they disappear or whatnot, so it’s not perfect.) I love this one because you don’t have to sign in, and I’ve got it on a setting so that everyone gets emailed my replies. I also use commentluv so I can easily find commenter’s blogs and visit!

So there you have it…you know all my secrets.

It’s not hard! It does take a bucketload of work though. And, hey, it’s okay to fall behind or make mistakes or slack off. Just know: if you work hard, you’ll get the comments.

And there are always posts that are going to do better than others. Sometimes it doesn’t even make sense why some posts get comments and others don’t. JUST GO WITH IT. (Although if you ever find the secret to writing the perfect post, let me know. I want in on that.)

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SO. like i said…discussion questions are important! can you add to my list?? on your blog, what do you do to get more comments?? which posts do you find to super-uber well? and which seem to sink? do believe in commenting-back? OH. and are you okay with being referred to as a plant? LET ME KNOW ALL.

boots USEFULCait @ Paper Fury
…is currently feeling very proud and professional because she only used two gifs in this post instead of, like, 9428 of them, because she realises she probably uses too many. But, pfft. Over-gifing is liable to happen tomorrow so WATCH OUT. Also to everyone playing the game in yesterdays post, Cait plans to announce scores tomorrow!  Currently she’s reading Snow Like Ashes.

10 Books Your Inner Con Artist Wants You To Read

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top ten

I have a very small addiction to books (and movies) about con artists and thieves and spies. Don’t panic! I’m not on the wide road to a life of espionage. I never even get library fines, okay?!* Lately Deborah and I have been fangirling over crimey capers and she suggested I post about it. It fit in well with these week’s recommendation prompt. I couldn’t resist!

Although I am cheating on this list. (Do I ever follow the rules? I mean…really? Do I?) and I’m adding in a few movies because I haven’t read enough heist books. I NEED TO READ MORE.

* Although I do own Loki shoes, so that says something about my devious nature.

This Week’s Prompt: Ten Books For Readers Who Like [insert topic here]

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\\ Click on the covers to go to Goodreads //

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1. CURSE WORKER TRILOGY by Holly Black

The Curse Workers is one of my top favourite trilogies ever. OKAY! I know I say that a lot, but this is different! It’s hilarious and supernatural and and stuffed with compulsive liars. Everyone is a villain (and they’re all mildly forgivable and adorable). Trust NO ONE. Plus the protagonist, Cassel Sharpe, is part Indian (well, it’s hypothesised, he doesn’t know his exact heritage) so yay for epic adventures with cultural diversity!how-to-lead-a-life-of-crime

 

2. HOW TO LEAD A LIFE OF CRIME by Kirsten Miller

Despite sounding like a how-to book for dummies, this is AMAZING. It’s not just about cons and stealing, it’s about the psychology of evil. Seriously if you have not read this yet, YOU ARE NOT LIVING PROPERLY.

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3. HEIST SOCIETY by Ally Carter

I loved this book! Was it original? Well…no. If you’ve seen any con movie, then you’ve covered the basic plot of this book. But it is about 15-year-olds being insanely and disgustingly talented and smart. It’s awesome to read books about characters who ooze smartness and make us feel like a bumbling failure, right? Right. GO READ IT. (I haven’t finished the trilogy, but I will. One day.) Also: it’s highly quotable and hilarious..

as-red-as-blood4. AS RED AS BLOOD by Salla Simukka

I’m really incredibly excited because book 2 arrived in the mail today and YAY I GET TO FIND OUT WAHT HAPPENS NEXT! But, I digress.

This one isn’t by the point of view of a con artists: it’s a money heist. It’s still incredible though and features an unwilling detective and a subtle dose of fairy tale retellings (you can figure out which) and occasionally people get murdered, which is all fantastic. Gotta love books.tumblr_n3mj9tKYw61txgq9ro3_500

oceans_eleven_cover5. Ocean’s 11, 12 and 13 // movie trilogy

I’m pretty sure this is what started my love of con artist plot lines. Genius plots? Incredible twists? Hilarious lines? WATCH THESE MOVIES. They largely deal with casino cons, but they blow stuff up (always a bonus). In Ocean’s 12 (movie #2) heads off to Amsterdam so they can steal stuff. It also has a moment where Julia Roberts plays Tess Oceans who plays Julia Roberts. Yup.

leverageseason2cover6. LEVERAGE // TV series – 5 seasons

I ADMIT IT: this was my latest fangirling obsession! I love this show an astronomical amount. Give it all the stars! All the flailing! It covers hundreds of cons, that range to hyperventilation-worthy to downright funny.

It’s has a Robin Hood vibe where this team steals from rich and cruel companies and gives back to the people they’ve basically “robbed”. They’ve got a mastermind, a grifter, a hitter, a thief, and a hacker. They’re all geniuses and act like a big dysfunctional family.

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Catch-Me-if-you-Can-Movie-Poster-Pictogram--865877. CATCH ME IF YOU CAN // movie

This is set in the 1960s where Leonardo Di Caprio plays a con artist who poses as a pilot and runs around the world being a million people at once and spending a lot of money he doesn’t own. HE’S ONLY 16 WHEN HE STARTS CONS! He’s also rather a genius because one con needs him to pose as a lawyer and, without studying, he passes the exam with top marks. It’s good, peoples, trust me.

The-Italian-Job8. THE ITALIAN JOB // movie

I haven’t seen the original (do not glare at me, it isn’t nice) but this is fantastic. It takes off after a con goes wrong and the team have to get revenge on the member who betrayed them. They steal a lot of gold. They speed around in minis. They hatch crazily brilliant plans. Sometimes they punch people and everyone is rather sassy.

mza_12855551251648617519. NOW You SEE ME // movie

This is an incredible movie (although the ending is bizarre and not…in a good way). It stars the Incredible Hulk…um, SORRY. I mean Mark Ruffalo and a team of very narcissistic magicians/con artists.

It’s perfection with cons disguised as magic until, um, the end where it goes bizzare and unrealistic. But pfft, who needs a solid ending if the beginning is awesome? (Don’t answer that.)

Interesting Fun Fact: One of the main actors for this movie, Jessie Eisenberg actually reads the Curse Worker audio books! Awesome, right?!

inception-poster-210. INCEPTION // movie

Stealing art is too mainstream, so this gang steals DREAMS. They extract secrets from your subconscious and it really is a mind twisty movie. Again, it stars Leonardo Di Caprio, so I think the guy really really wants to steal something, but has to live vicariously instead.

Also the soundtrack is gorgeous. If you write books then this is definitely inspiring background music. (It’s by Hans Zimmer who is incredible.)

Obviously I’m always on the look out for more awesome YA heist and con artist books. Look at my pathetic list! I have not read nearly enough.

YA Con/Heist books I need to steal…erm, READ: 

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now i know i cheated on this prompt rather ginormously…so HELP ME! recommend me some awesome con/crime/heist/thieving YA books! go wild in the comments my thieflings. also have you read/watched any of these? thoughts? link me up to your TTT post too, if you like!

boots USEFULCait @ Paper Fury
…is currently so proud of herself for being on top of her TBR! She has only 13 books that need reading! What is this?! She’s reading up big in preparation for abandoning all and writing a new book. Just must finish those darn edits first…She’s only got 10K to go. It’s TORTURE. Currently she’s reading The Sin Eater’s Daughter and is mildly disappointed.

The 10 Types of Writers

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If you’ve ever wondered what type of writer you might be…I am here to tell you.

Or, well, you’ll tell yourself after you take the super handy quiz I made below. Inspired from doing a 10 Types of Book Bloggers quiz ages ago. Enjoy!

1. THE TURTLE

The easiest way to describe you is: SLOW. You are a strict adherer to the saying “slow and steady wins the race”. You don’t write quantity, you write quality. And it definitely shows (you little genius). Your books are probably long and detailed because you won’t rush this baby.

2. THE SHINY IDEA CHASER

You could fill an entire ROOM with the story ideas you have. You get inspiration from anything! (The shower is notoriously inspiring…where is your waterproof notebook??) You have pinterest boards and word documents and sticky-notes and notebooks and notes on your phone and…and…okay. You just have a lot of (awesome) ideas. You just need time to write them all!

3. THE INTENSE PLOTTER

You have got this sorted. There’s nothing like a 10,000-word outline and a 6-book plan, right?! You know what’s going to happen way before it happens. Sometimes people accuse you of not being spontaneous, but pfft to them. Your books are complex, tight, and delicious.

4. THE NEED FOR SPEEDER

You write fast. Super fast. 10,000-words a day? Pfft. You’ve done it copiously. You write fast and furious and, coincidentally, you don’t write a lot. Your creative well gets depleted fast and you take long breaks to search for inspiration.

5. THE NAONOWRIMOER

You function best on a deadline and with a large cheering-squad. NaNo hits off 3x a year and you’re there for each one. You struggle and revel in the deadline simultaneously. WORD WARS? You’ve got a battle axe.

6. THE ONE-HIT-WONDER

So there was this one time you wrote a book. Aaaand, that was about it. You’re constantly reworking said book. (It’s going to be amazing one day but just…not…quite…yet.) You either would like to write more (if you had the time) or you’ve got a been-there-done-that philosophy and you’re off snorkelling the Mariana Trench.

7. THE PROJECT PROCRASTINATOR

You really suck at the whole “apply seat of pants to chair and WRITE”. But what about pinterest? Twitter? Better do your emails? And you’ve got like 24020 other things to do as well BUT YOU DO LIKE TO WRITE! You just…um…get distracted. Doing write-every-day challenges really motivates you. But, let’s face it, you do more fangirling (dream cast? mini-movie trailers? interviews? drawings?) over your characters than actually writing about them.

8. THE LITERARY AXE-MURDERER

fKilling one character is cute. You kill HUNDREDS. If someone gets out of your book alive they’re seriously lucky (and probably suffering PTSD from your abuse). Your spare nothing. Toughness is life. Okay, so maybe you’re a little crazy, but you know how to break a reader’s feels.

9 THE MULTI-TASKER

That writer’s working on one project? Aww, so adorable. You handle 6+ at one time. Plus you’re doing edits on a few manuscripts, beta-ing for a friend, casually writing a dozen novels, and, oh, plotting 2x dozen more. You’re like an octopus.

10. THE SECRETEST

Shhhh! All your projects are SECRET. Most people don’t even know you write. It’s not that you’re embarrassed, per se, it’s just that writing is incredibly personal to you and you don’t want to show it off until it’s as good as it can be. You would probably die if someone read your unedited work. Well. Scrap that. You’d die if someone read ANY of your work. But you have the world oh-so-curious.
Also! I created a quiz for you! If it doesn’t show up, you can find the link here.

 

which type (or multiple types!) do you most identify with? let me know in the comments! and did i miss any “types of writers”?