I wrote a scene yesterday that may turn out to be my prologue in the urban fantasy. Why is that exciting? Because it actually came out like the urban fantasies that I’ve been reading. Woo Hoo!!! What does this mean? That I’m finally starting to get the structure of these books. YAH!!!
That said, it doesn’t mean I’m ready to stop my writing exercises. Obviously, they are helping tremendously. I know it seems trivial, but you have no idea what a relief this is for me. I’ve been stressing bullets over the last several days because I knew something was ‘off’ in my book that had nothing to do with the plot. I don’t want to get too excited about this breakthrough, but I am grateful. I was beginning to think that I wouldn’t be able to pick this up and that thought was both frightening and frustrating as hell.
Dh says that I’m too hard on myself. (ie I expect to pick things up immediately and have very little patience when I don’t.) I’m not saying he’s right…but he might be. (wg)
This of course got me thinking about learning patterns. I wondered how other writers/artists handle these things. Are you the type to get impatient when you don’t pick things up right away? Or do you give yourself time to learn? If you’re in the latter camp, bless your heart, how do you do it?
November 16th, 2006
I’m a pretty fast learner but I also get frustrated if I don’t pick it up quick. I also learn better hands on…I have to write stuff down for it to sink in.
by Cece November 16th, 2006 at 5:05 pmCece, I’m the same way. I need to ‘do’ whatever it is I’m trying to learn in order to pick it up.
by Jordan November 16th, 2006 at 5:57 pmWriting is very hands-on. You can read all the writing books in the world, but you won’t know how to do it without trial and error.
As for structure, so far, I can see when a WIP has it and when it doesn’t. It annoys me sometimes that writing can’t be reduced to a simple equation or a yes/no answer without qualifications. LOL. Which does dump me in the Impatient and Gets Frustrated Easily camp.
by May November 17th, 2006 at 3:28 amI can usually tell if I’m just not getting something and find a break - either short or long - is the best thing, because even if I’m away from a project, it’s still being mulled over in my subconscious. If I have a deadline, then yes I get impatient with myself, but I still take a short break.
by Diane November 17th, 2006 at 5:24 amYayyy for your progress! Um, I’m in the hard on self category. Partly that’s because early on so many things came so easily. When I started running up against things that didn’t…very frustrating.
by Charlene Teglia November 17th, 2006 at 9:15 amIt depends. I’m a “learn by doing” kind of person. So if someone is just lecturing me or I’m reading about something, I might learn it a bit slower - or not at all. I need to go through the trial-and-error phase. It helps me keep busy, my mind is more entertained when it’s trying to figure out things. I can’t say that I become impatient. But when I want to learn something I become so focus that I zone out everything else. Like a cat when stacking its prey. *lol* No wonder cats hate me!
by Tempest Knight November 17th, 2006 at 11:33 amI’m impatient–very. When I don’t learn fast enough then I beat myself up. That said, when the light bulb goes off, I’m beyond thrilled.
by Karen Kelley November 17th, 2006 at 12:23 pmMay, It’s nice to know that I’m not alone. *g*
by Jordan November 17th, 2006 at 6:35 pmDiane, I’ve taken quite a long break…this whole month so far. *ggg* I can’t afford to remain this immobile.
by Jordan November 17th, 2006 at 6:36 pmCharli, I actually think that’s my biggest problem. I’m used to picking things up easily. When I don’t, it frustrates the hell out of me.
by Jordan November 17th, 2006 at 6:37 pmTempest, LOL!
by Jordan November 17th, 2006 at 6:38 pmKaren, Right about now I look like Rocky. *ggg* I do celebrate too when something breaks.
by Jordan November 17th, 2006 at 6:39 pm