Now and then I get down. Nothing serious, just feeling blue.
I notice a lot of the folks here write hard core. Other than the kudos and comments there is no recompense. Take Easy as Falling Off A Bike for example, Angharad puts in long hours every day at work then usually has time to write a chapter. I love the story line, but I don't see how she does it.
Morpheus is another author I stand in awe of. Extremely productive, always entertaining, when he/she gets started on a story you can usually count on a large chapter a day until it is finished.
I could go on, there are many really good authors here.
So the question is, why? I have written a few stories myself, then dropped the ball. I have a pretty full life, but like I said I tend to get down now and again. I am wondering if I'm missing some good therapy, or maybe just some good times. My muse has been mulling a loose sequel to my story End of the World as We Knew It for years.
I write a lot of technical articles about electronics. I also am recently getting into 3D printing, using an open package called SketchUp. I like designing electronic circuits, then build some of them. I'm also a moderator for a popular electronic website for beginners (still using my old male ID oddly enough).
So I'm asking for the take of the other writers on this site.
Comments
My first few stories ...
The first few stories I wrote were to express my pain. The losses were unexpected and far too harsh. 10 years later, it is still the same with the fam damly. Those stories expressed a lot of emotion, and in some ways were horror stories.
MS Frankenstein was Forced Fem, and so was Desert Princess. I had SRS because I was on so many drugs that I did not know what I was doing. When I got off the drugs, whoa, what a surprise I had. This summer I plan to live as a man for three weeks to help me decide what to do.
Lots of my stories are about a lost, lonely woman needing a companion. Some are about mild BDSM. I am reasonably sure that a few psych people have looked at those stories and shaken their heads. I liked writing them and am not ashamed of them.
My last two stories and the two stories I am working on right now are heterosexual, and pretty straight laced, because that is who I am. Not to cast aspersions on any one but I won't be writing any homosexual characters, and perhaps not lesbian characters.
Writing can be an excellent way to vent and cry.
A good answer
for a question that has no correct answer.
When I wrote my two stories I was in a lot of pain. I was still fighting a loosing battle with myself, I really did not want to be TG back then, and it was killing me.
It could be strongly argued I was using it like you suggest.
We have similar tastes I think. Heinlien still remains my all time favorite author.
Writing is
Like a set of muscles that you first train to produce the desired movements the build up in strength. Like anything some people are talented while others look like they have epilepsy when performing.
If you want to write, write. Write often and work whatever you have into a kind of fitness that allows you to perform at your best.
When i took a course on writing we had to spend the first ten minutes of every class writingabout anything we could think of. I wrote 101 uses for my instructors moustache. Every day a new use.
Dayna
Different kinds of writing
There are some authors, that when they sneeze, a thousand words come out. Most of us have to work at it.
Really, the only way to get to the point where you're writing a lot, is to write a lot. You sit down and write.
Not everything we write is worth publishing. Some writing is just to clean out the pipe, so to speak.
You can't be bothered by bad writing. Re-writes are the cure, and re-writing is a lot easier than writing the first time.
Writing as a frame of mind
If you want to write, the more you do the easier it is. Like any skill, practice and you'll get better. Having a time you set aside to write even if it is just a few words is good. It gets you into the mindset. Having a pad or in these days an application where you can jot down ideas as they come to you is good. Often times my best dialogue comes when I'm doing something else and the characters begin talking to me. If I don't get those words down, I will forget!
It's also important to have fun with it. If you're not getting anything positive out of your scribbles, why continue? Make it enjoyable in whatever way that works for you. I love music and spend time making that great playlist or at other times its fun just to surf Youtube going from song to song based on whatever is appealing.
At times I'll find that one song that just nails what I feel exactly and I replay the hell out of it which drives my significant other crazy at times.
I'll also heard it said that writers write because they have something to say. I'll add to that with sometimes you have to truly listen to your inner self to hear it. What is your heart saying, asking, singing to you?
Hugs
Grover
Writing
Let's put it this way:
When I don't write, I'm miserable alone. When I right, I share my miserableness with everyone in the form of a story. Some people like it, because it's fun. They left feedbacks, such as comments and feedbacks, praises and constructive criticisms. Those made me a bit happier. So I'm not longer miserable because I'm now happy.
Therefore, I keep on writing. Even if not many read my stories, to have those few praises with every release makes me really happy.
I write to help my inner turmoil
I write to help my inner turmoil. I'm not transgender but the thought has intrigued me. Once the feelings got to a certain point I found sites like this. When I got enough courage I started using my turmoil to create worlds. It has been the best decision I've ever made as I love creating story and meeting people I'd never know otherwise.
It certainly takes the edge off feelings I still don't understand but I love writing about transformation. The only issue is learning to pace myself as it is easy to spend all my time in my fake worlds and ignore the real one.
I'm sure you know this but - one other thing to remember is to write for yourself and not audience approval as it can make the problem worse. That's easy to say and hard to do as I check for good reviews for days after I post something and I light up after each one. That sort of thing can be addicting and it can add to your blue feelings if the response doesn't match your expectations. I do appreciate the readers as they are gentle for the most part. That can be bad thing as writers who've taken their work outside the TG bubble can certainly attest.