September 19th, 2008
It's time for entry number ten in my ongoing series of essays on the art and craft of writing. All the essays in this series are based on my fifty thoughts on writing, and will range from the deeply practical to the somewhat more abstract. Not all thoughts will be of equal use to everyone, but you never know until you try. I will continue doing my very best to make sense if you will continue telling me when I don't. As for today's thought, here it is:
Thoughts on Writing #10: Validate Yourself As Well As Your Parking.
The topic of validation is a very touchy one, and we're going to be returning to it several times as this essay series goes on. Since this is our first time, we're basically going to validate the idea of validation -- that is, we're going to look at when it's not only okay to seek validation, it's practically required. So our thought for the day is:
When a book or an idea is new, it's okay to want validation. You're standing at the mouth of a tunnel that's probably thousands of pages long, once you calculate for discarded text and revisions, and that's scary. Ask people 'do you like my idea?'. Tell people you need to hear good things about what you're doing. It's okay to say 'it's my first time, be gentle.'
As a writer, you're going to hear a lot of things about validation. Some of those things will be good. Some of those things will be bad. None of those things will change the fact that, as human creatures, we will occasionally require positive feedback to encourage and motivate us, and to keep us moving forward. So when is it okay to go fishing for approval? What makes validation a good thing, and not a handicap?
Let's begin.
( My thoughts are not your thoughts; my process is not your process; my ideas are not your ideas; my method is not your method. All these things are totally right for me, and may be just as totally wrong for you. So please don't stress if the things I'm saying don't apply to you -- I promise, there is no One True Way. This way for my initial thoughts on the touchy topic of validation.Collapse )
Thoughts on Writing #10: Validate Yourself As Well As Your Parking.
The topic of validation is a very touchy one, and we're going to be returning to it several times as this essay series goes on. Since this is our first time, we're basically going to validate the idea of validation -- that is, we're going to look at when it's not only okay to seek validation, it's practically required. So our thought for the day is:
When a book or an idea is new, it's okay to want validation. You're standing at the mouth of a tunnel that's probably thousands of pages long, once you calculate for discarded text and revisions, and that's scary. Ask people 'do you like my idea?'. Tell people you need to hear good things about what you're doing. It's okay to say 'it's my first time, be gentle.'
As a writer, you're going to hear a lot of things about validation. Some of those things will be good. Some of those things will be bad. None of those things will change the fact that, as human creatures, we will occasionally require positive feedback to encourage and motivate us, and to keep us moving forward. So when is it okay to go fishing for approval? What makes validation a good thing, and not a handicap?
Let's begin.
( My thoughts are not your thoughts; my process is not your process; my ideas are not your ideas; my method is not your method. All these things are totally right for me, and may be just as totally wrong for you. So please don't stress if the things I'm saying don't apply to you -- I promise, there is no One True Way. This way for my initial thoughts on the touchy topic of validation.Collapse )
- Current Mood:
thoughtful - Current Music:Weird Romance, 'Amazing Penetration.'
seanan_mcguire: Can I have bubonic plague?jennifer_brozek: I don't care.seanan_mcguire: Awesome.Just in case you were wondering who gave me permission.
I'm off to Seattle for the weekend. Try not to break anything, and remember, Kate's in charge while I'm gone.
- Current Mood:
quixotic - Current Music:Seanan McGuire, 'The Black Death.'
Profile
- seanan_mcguire
- Seanan McGuire
- Seanan McGuire Online
