Thank you, thank you! It's SUCH a good reminder. It's not even news, but we just need to keep hearing it over and over. Margaret Rogerson wrote in the afterword to Vespertine that she was sometimes so deep in depression she could barely lift her head off the pillow, yet she can't tell the difference now between those scenes and the ones she wrote when she was feeling better.
Maggie Stiefvater said that the more she knows about craft, the less able she is to get into flow *while writing*, because she's thinking so hard about the words. The act of writing feels less and less like the act of reading (you don't feel the same writing the scene as the reader will reading it) but that's ok, because she can still have the flow when reading.
It's all true. Now to go stare at the words some more.
This was so amazing, thank you for sharing. I love seeing the insight into your process and how I can apply lessons in my life (right now not with writing but with the cosplay build I’m on) everything that you create when it’s done seems so much easier than when you’re creating.
Also your BG3 character looks amazing!! And I’m always here if you want to DM again 👀👀
I would love to, like, host a fun session at an event. We need a DenNerds-dedicated festival and that's all we do. Cosplay, TTRPG, and maybe LARP a little too.
JUST got into Act 3. Like literally just walked into this new camp outside Baldur's Gate last night.
I started as a Warlock, but then having Wyll as a Warlock...I wanted some variety! So I shifted to Sorcerer once I had Withers (who is The Best). I think next playthrough, though, I might try something more interesting--like a Monk! Something really different from what my core crew has.
I am almost at act 3 I one of my plays, and at a leisure pace in act 1 on the other.
Shadowheart as is one, and a spores druid in the other, but funnily enough super tempted by Monk for another run.
agree on Withers being the best, lots of humour too. And who's your regular party companions? (if you're using origin characters and not hireling, or friends).
Loving all the unique interactions, the chaos, everything. 💕
Oh goodness, I needed this post today. I was just saying to my critique partner yesterday that I'm struggling with this sequel I'm working on because I feel like I'm just meandering around in search of a wild plot, and it feels so very amateur in a way I thought I'd moved past. But the truth is, the amateurish first draft stumbling is probably just a part and parcel of how I write, and like you said, I'm comparing the work here with the shiny completed story that came before, and completely forgetting how I spent about two months in the spring knowing there was *something* wrong with the climax of that book and utterly unable to figure out how to fix it (spoiler alert, I did fix it, and I'm pretty happy with how it turned out). And that was draft 8+, not the first draft!
This was a great post. Sometimes it feels boring or hard because it’s just WORK. And that’s okay.
I think end confidence in a scene is more important than how you felt writing it. Once it’s done, are you confident in it and proud of it? If so, you’ve likely done a good job.
Anyway, this was a great reminder. Just because it’s hard doesn’t mean it’s not great. I’ve had “easy” books and super hard books, and in the end, I think they all read pretty seamlessly to the reader.
BG3!! So glad you're taking time to indulge some gaming, love that your char looks like you ngl. I try to make it resemble me in some ways as well, just to give a piece of me in each character I make each game.
Time flies, Luminaries 2 is coming soon for us and I'M SO EXCITED!!
It’s very BioWare, but much....much bigger. It’s also D&D, so some pretty intense turn based combat and lots of dice rolling. I have never save scummed so much in my life 😅 if you’ve played D&D, it’ll feel really familiar. If not, then be patient as you get used to the gameplay. It’s SO worth it for story, romance, and sheer scope. I have played 60hrs and only just hit the third act. And my playthrough and world outcome looks NOTHING like my friends’. It’s wild how much player choice matters!
Oh my gosh, do I need this post today. Writing has been so, so hard lately. I can't remember how it used to be! This has reinvigorated me 💙
I hope you enjoy Starfield!!!
Bathe in the grease bath of discomfort!!! 😘
😅😅🥴
I know. A disgusting image. But hey, if you can sit through a grease bath, then you can sit through the discomfort of "hard" writing.
SOOZ. how about we not call it that 😂
NOPE. IT IS MY NEW THING. Magical cookies and grease baths!
You got this! Wishing you the best as you write/daydream/create today, or tomorrow, or whenever it comes :)
Thank you, thank you! It's SUCH a good reminder. It's not even news, but we just need to keep hearing it over and over. Margaret Rogerson wrote in the afterword to Vespertine that she was sometimes so deep in depression she could barely lift her head off the pillow, yet she can't tell the difference now between those scenes and the ones she wrote when she was feeling better.
Maggie Stiefvater said that the more she knows about craft, the less able she is to get into flow *while writing*, because she's thinking so hard about the words. The act of writing feels less and less like the act of reading (you don't feel the same writing the scene as the reader will reading it) but that's ok, because she can still have the flow when reading.
It's all true. Now to go stare at the words some more.
Yes! I LOVE that afterword from Margaret, and Maggie is so correct! It's harder to find flow the more you learn about craft.
This was so amazing, thank you for sharing. I love seeing the insight into your process and how I can apply lessons in my life (right now not with writing but with the cosplay build I’m on) everything that you create when it’s done seems so much easier than when you’re creating.
Also your BG3 character looks amazing!! And I’m always here if you want to DM again 👀👀
NOTED re: DM-ing.
I would love to, like, host a fun session at an event. We need a DenNerds-dedicated festival and that's all we do. Cosplay, TTRPG, and maybe LARP a little too.
I WOULD BE SO SO SO DOWN
Loved this. Thanks for the honesty and encouragement.
What class are you playing in BG3? What act are you on! 👀
And Starfield looks so good just started it earlier and intrigued where it goes.
JUST got into Act 3. Like literally just walked into this new camp outside Baldur's Gate last night.
I started as a Warlock, but then having Wyll as a Warlock...I wanted some variety! So I shifted to Sorcerer once I had Withers (who is The Best). I think next playthrough, though, I might try something more interesting--like a Monk! Something really different from what my core crew has.
What about you?
I am almost at act 3 I one of my plays, and at a leisure pace in act 1 on the other.
Shadowheart as is one, and a spores druid in the other, but funnily enough super tempted by Monk for another run.
agree on Withers being the best, lots of humour too. And who's your regular party companions? (if you're using origin characters and not hireling, or friends).
Loving all the unique interactions, the chaos, everything. 💕
Oh goodness, I needed this post today. I was just saying to my critique partner yesterday that I'm struggling with this sequel I'm working on because I feel like I'm just meandering around in search of a wild plot, and it feels so very amateur in a way I thought I'd moved past. But the truth is, the amateurish first draft stumbling is probably just a part and parcel of how I write, and like you said, I'm comparing the work here with the shiny completed story that came before, and completely forgetting how I spent about two months in the spring knowing there was *something* wrong with the climax of that book and utterly unable to figure out how to fix it (spoiler alert, I did fix it, and I'm pretty happy with how it turned out). And that was draft 8+, not the first draft!
Thank you!!
This was a great post. Sometimes it feels boring or hard because it’s just WORK. And that’s okay.
I think end confidence in a scene is more important than how you felt writing it. Once it’s done, are you confident in it and proud of it? If so, you’ve likely done a good job.
Anyway, this was a great reminder. Just because it’s hard doesn’t mean it’s not great. I’ve had “easy” books and super hard books, and in the end, I think they all read pretty seamlessly to the reader.
BG3!! So glad you're taking time to indulge some gaming, love that your char looks like you ngl. I try to make it resemble me in some ways as well, just to give a piece of me in each character I make each game.
Time flies, Luminaries 2 is coming soon for us and I'M SO EXCITED!!
I keep hearing abt this BG3, curious how the vibes compare to bioware games? 🧐🤔💭
It’s very BioWare, but much....much bigger. It’s also D&D, so some pretty intense turn based combat and lots of dice rolling. I have never save scummed so much in my life 😅 if you’ve played D&D, it’ll feel really familiar. If not, then be patient as you get used to the gameplay. It’s SO worth it for story, romance, and sheer scope. I have played 60hrs and only just hit the third act. And my playthrough and world outcome looks NOTHING like my friends’. It’s wild how much player choice matters!
Ooo tyty sounds like a good christmas break game to dive into 👀
I needed to hear this today 🧡