Work has been taking a bit too much of me lately, so I've been trying to be very consistent about carving a piece out of each day to write.
I'm working on a three-part story that was inspired by the current contest, and it's great fun to work on.
It's a few lucky discoveries for me: one is that three-part stories are a lovely format for me right now. It very neatly breaks down the setup/complications/resolution, and it puts a cap on the thing; since it's not an open-ended story of unknown length, it's much easier to work with. I take the elements I have, and fill the three containers.
It gets done more quickly.
My second happy discovery is sketching in a notebook.
I usually do all my writing on computer, on a USB stick, partly because I type so quickly, but also because it's easier to edit. Mostly, though, it's easier to keep others from seeing it -- I mean, like family or co-workers.
However, about a week ago, I had some time, a notebook, and no internet connection, so I wrote out the first chapter, the whole thing, scribbling. It was just the bones of the story: all the connections and transitions, a lot of dialog, and I went all the way to the end. The whole story was there... it wouldn't be good reading, but it was all there.
Next time I got to the computer, I didn't refer to the notes until I was halfway through. Then I went back, found one little bit I'd forgotten, refreshed my memory... it was so much fun!
It was especially great after a crappy workweek, to take that sketchy story, write it all out, fill in the descriptions, flesh it out until it was a readable story...
Then on the bus ride home, I began scribbling out the skeleton of the second part.
Being creative is a wonderful thing. It really revived me.
Comments
It keeps me going
You are absolutely right!
Let's face it, being different from the norm like so many of us are, isn't always the bed of roses that I spoke of in my 'Joys of (FTM) Crossdressing' post. The low points are a part of life for all of us across the gender variant spectrum. Plus in general, there are just days when life plain old fashioned sucks.
After a crummy day at work (I'm a computer programmer) it is great to peel off the trappings of 'girl' that I have to present in public, and reinvent myself as a guy. When I'm in a bit of shitty mood, feeling down and all, becoming a guy renews my inner strength.
Likewise, having written some of what I've written has enabled me to experience some sexual thrills and experiences that might otherwise be totally impossible for me. In my stories the girls that dress as guys are essentially me. Therefore I can re-write situations from my past and change them up. I can also write experiences that I'd like to have, for example the fantasy I have of playing the part of a gay guy (although I'd still be female) with another gay guy.
I swear that when I write these the synapses and brain chemicals that fire are the same as if I really am experiencing them.
Its all good, and keeps me sane and grounded.
Trap
Catharsis in writing
In my first writing on BCTS, it was not about the stories at all but working out my own pain, sense of loss and abandonment, and of being unjustly accused and punished.
"MS Frankenstein, and Desert Princess" were all about my unwilling transition, forced upon me by the reckless use of psych meds on me by the Doctors. "Suddenly and Natural Slave" were stories where I struggled to adapt to my new circumstances, because no return to my old life was possible. By then, I had approached my family about de-transitioning twice and got no response from them. So, with no way to proceed but forward, I started to do my best to adapt to my new life. It would be years before I would finally realise that my new life was much happier than my old one, and even that I could not take credit for, a friend had to point that out.
My newer stories are all about trying to learn to write in a credible, interesting manner.
creativity
Yes, it can really revive you. I'm glad its working for you.