Double-edged sword of the writer identity | Don't do this if you want to succeed as a writer
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- čas přidán 31. 05. 2024
- If you want to become a successful fiction writer, this video contains one of the most important steps you can take, and one of the biggest pitfalls to avoid. Not just another video of top writing tips.
Something I'd like to add to become better as a writer is to *always* seek feedback. Constructive critisism isn't supposed to slap you in the face; it's supposed to help you learn and grow
It's hard, because it's both your baby, and because you don't know who is actually safe to show your work. Many writers will try to advise you to turn it into the novel they would have written. Others will only point out the negative, and that can have you eliminating things people love because no one's pointing out what they love, only what they dislike. But when you find the right people to share with...You're right, it's the ultimate growth experience. I took up writing screenplays collaboratively with a director a couple years ago, and the speed with which that filled in my blind spots was incredible.
Did not expect this to resonate, nor to like it as much, as I did. You were spot on here. I had 5 novels published in multiple languages with a relatively big tie-in publisher. Went through a tough time in 2021 and stopped writing actual prose (as opposed to plans and outlines) completely. Never stopped pointing people towards my books, though. Never stopped enjoying the reaction it got. Never stopped identifying myself as a writer - not on the fact I was actually writing, but on the fact that I *had* written - I should have been saying 'former writer'.
In this video you called me out. Rightly so. Identity is powerful. Time to drop the identity until I've re-earned it... and even then, so much more important to keep this front and center; it's the work that matters, not the label.
Great video. Keep it up.
Thanks for the kind words. Sounds like you've covered all the tough ground before, except making it BACK to your writing, which is just a new challenge to conquer. Also sounds like you know exactly what you need to do. Good luck!
I just binged both your videos😂 This is great stuff.
Thanks so much! I have a lot more planned. I seem to have endless amounts of things to say. Guess it's a good thing I'm a writer.
The concept about the levels ran a huge bell inside of me since my identity changed FIRST. I got up one morning and had that one thought: I had that dream and I will write a book about it. And it felt like I woke up as a different person. Writing was part of my life when I was younger and lost it when I entered work life.
And after almost 25 years it came back to me without a warning. I havent even thought about becoming a writer in YEARS. And I thoght it would be gone forever. But now I am writing and I NEVER thoght that it would be even possible.
I love that story. It's always been in there, waiting for the spark to fire it up again. Glad the writer you is back!
@@JAlanRyker Believe me, no one is more glad than me 😃
It has always been part of me when I was young and my imagination never stopped to run wild as soon as I didnt have to handle stimuli from outside. As soon as its quiet, my mind starts to come up with things. But I used to think that the urge to write was gone forever. You cant imagine the level of surprise and excitement the morning that spark lit my inner writer fire again.
Thats why I really enjoy your videos. You speak from a very understandable point of view and it reminds me of my own. You speak honest and its noticeable that you are a writer. I hope to hear more from you and your opinion on writing. Keep the great work up. Its a pleasure to listen to you. 🥰
@@schlumbl84 thanks so much for the kind words. Like I said, I'm looking forward to hearing about what your renewed spark brings!
@@JAlanRyker Yeah, me too 😅
I finished my first draft in 2,5 months and started my second one right after that. It will be a four book volume. One for every season. Ill be editing my first one in a few months, so Ill be able to have fresh eyes when doing that.
Im planning to self-publish it. And since english isnt my first language and I have a lot of american relatives (and collegues 😁) Im also planning on publishing it in english as well.
But... I want to make sure that it will always be a FUN experience. No stress whatsoever.
This is the second video of yours that I watch. It is the most profound video about writing I have ever come across. As far as I remember, I have always invented stories. I wrote some of them when I was young. Then life caught me and I spent the next 30/40 years feeling like I was trapped inside a washing machine in spin mode. At times, I used to wake up early to have time to write before the day started, because I needed it like you need a deep breath before you dive underwater again. It was something I did but very rarely talked about, like if it was a shameful thing to spend time doing that instead of useful things or things to make money. I am 54 now, and I picked up my writing where I left it, but started doing it seriously 3/4 years ago. I still only talk about it as my hobby, though. Maybe someday, I will be a writer. It seems a grand thing, to be a writer. For the moment, I am just someone who writes. And who enjoys your videos.
wow, thank you so much for the kind words, but especially for sharing your story. "Then life caught me"... Such a powerful phrase! So much packed into so few words.
I identify with so much of your comment, and am truly rooting for you. The thing that frustrated me when I started writing, and that now I am so grateful for as my hair turns white, is that this is a medium where age and experience continue to improve one's work.
I won't be able to identify you from your user name, but I'm very interested in how you continue to progress along this path.
@@JAlanRyker Thank you. That means a lot to me. I will have to let you know, because you won't come across my book(s???) in the US. I am french and I write in french.
@@user-my4zq8ib6q I realize that if I click through I can see your name. I was thinking I'd never be able to remember this conversation tied to the jumble of numbers and letters after "user-". Definitely let me know about your progress!
I did essentially the same thing you did. I knew when I was in my twenties that I wanted to be a writer. I completed a five week fiction writing course at Yale University in the summer of 1988. The instructor, Michael Malone, was willing to write me a strong letter of recommendation to any MFA program of my choosing. I left New Haven without the letter and without the commitment to continue writing.
Did you turn to visual art at that point?
@@JAlanRyker Thanks for asking. 30 years passed before I did art of any kind, then I began sketching and painting.
*Standing ovation* This is the BEST writing video I've ever heard. Top notch wisdom - just the advice I need to break away from buying the distractions of the "shovel shellers." Wow, you really called them on it: Write one book - only to follow it up with books on the process. What a way to shine the light in the darkness.
Thank you so much! I'm glad you got something from this.
The worst part is that because there's little to be gained except heat for calling them out, it becomes this unchallenged truth.
I had no idea this was your first video from just a month ago until reading the comments, you're a natural! This is very concise and well presented, and the content is gold. It's also something needed, because there's so much clickbait BS out there, good information is almost rare anymore. Looking forward to more of your insights!
wow, thanks so much for the kind words! When I started, I was a bit worried about putting my more frustrated feelings out there, because I wasn't hearing these things in content. But the response has let me know that there are people like yourself who are feeling the same way. So thanks again for commenting
The statement about the professor VS the fanfic author really nailed it. My mantras have become "You can't edit a blank page" and "Rough drafts are better than no drafts".
Accepting that my timeline won't be the same as a single, childless college student who lives at home and doesn't work (so many author influencers ring this bell) has been rough for me, despite it being totally unrealistic. I've always been a rise-and-grind overachiever, but I've finally accepted that I can still make progress and succeed. It just won't be as quick as someone without the extra lines on their to-do list.
As an old dad, I'm glad I used my childless years to push things ahead far. Sounds like you have the mindset to rise and grind without grinding yourself down
As someone who bought a lot of shovels early on, I appreciate the discussion. Getting my first books out and removing myself from groups and author drama, shovel sellers, etc, has helped a ton. Thanks! Re: reading. Now I learn most from reading books and authors that impacted me instead of craft books. Craft books still have a place but learn from the people doing it.
I saw some author drama the other day where the guy said that each individual's silence on the drama of the day spoke louder than words. So not only do we have to see this nonsense, but we MUST participate in it or be branded as the enemy?! Ugh. No.
That was an incredible first video, subscribed!
wow, thank you so much! Honestly, not only was I worried about people not watching, but about getting angry comments. I held my breath as I clicked the comment tab. So thank you again!
This is great. It matches all my experiences with writing. I do love the process and I've been at it for decades. Still no commercial success, but I love my books and it was worth every minute of labor I invested in them. The only real drawback is that I've given my children less attention than I would have not writing, but I wouldn't have been a better father.
I absolutely know what you mean on the parenting front. That's such a hard balance to strike. It's the bull's horns, for exactly the reason you state. My son is a relentless creator, so we can sit silently and work on our own projects now that he's gotten older (8), which helps.
One of the hardest things is that people writing either have no kids or older kids. I know that's part of why I halted things for several years. But it makes it harder to have a community that understands. Glad to have you here!
@@JAlanRyker Thanks for the reply. Writing was a mental lifesaver for me when the kids were babies and I had no time to groom my introverted self. It taught me how to write with constant interruptions. I couldn't do that before and I'm not sure I'd ever gotten around to write so much if I hadn't needed the therapy it provided. Nice to hear that your relation with your son works so well. I'm currently building a porch (not Porsche) with my son (13).
Really quality content, commenting for engagement
Thank you very much
19:41 I feel called out, haha. thanks!
22:17 Whenever I have a flash on inspiration, my mind defaults to the epilogue/post credit scenes (they are much easier to make) and calms my imagination. While it's satisfying to know the ending of the story, the pain of not writing and displaying it for the world to see is much, much more painful, albeit if that time comes, I would have already forgotten about it.
Before I thought of myself as a writer, I wouldn't have commented. But now maybe I have, and now I have commented. The power of identity, huh?
haha the anime fan fiction thing... I just thought of a group that gets looked down on by pretentious writers. Honestly, I have nothing but respect for anyone pouring their best energy into creating things they can never monetize. That shows the heart of a true creator. I am huge into playing doom mods for the original two dooms. There are doom mods that have obviously taken hundreds or thousands of hours, and the creators get nothing except the respect of the community and the satisfaction of having created something awesome.
This was a brilliant, no frills, no BS video that I liked way more than I expected to. Thank you for making this.
Thanks for the kind words! I am definitely a no frills kind of guy. Looking to get a better camera, but still won't do anything special with it
Exceptional video, and exactly what I needed to hear. Thank you.
You are my friend :)
People assume the best life is an easy one, so why is it that the people with the best advice had a worse life than most?
Absolutely. One of hte first videos I recorded, but then didn't post, is that the #1 cheat code to getting better as a writer is living life.
Algo fed me this and when I saw the 666 subscribers I had to sub to you to keep you from being jinxed.
hahaha thanks Mr. 667, neighbor of the beast
Brian Griffin taking this one personally
😂
I know I already said it but it needs to be said again!! I love your content!! Writing advice with psychology!! I can’t wait to see your channel grow. 🖤🤌🤌🤌
Hey, feel free to say it as often as you like.
Thanks for the kind words and glad to have you here!