1legitconnor

[1legitconnor]

how non-writers think writing works: creating a detailed outline and plan, writing each section carefully and weaving in all the different story threads like a master creator, expertly creating a masterpiece with care and precision

how writing actually works: daydreaming that one scene, creating a half-formed plot in a daze all around it, swearing at characters that don't magic themselves into existence, becoming absolutely obsessed with the story for a solid week, it becomes your entire life, you sit down open a blank word document and write approximately two and a half chapters, lose interest, daydream an entirely new idea for a new story, rinse and repeat

[1legitconnor]

writer culture is thinking of a line that could 1000% rival shakespeare's literally excellence at 3am in the morning

and never even writing the fic

[1legitconnor]

"what's the worst thing you can do as an artist" is not "shade with black" or "not use references" or whatever the worst thing you can do as an artist is hate yourself. and that includes the person you used to be

[1legitconnor]

this is advice I've given friends directly before and I've probably also posted it but I really like giving it so here it is potentially again: do not create something for an imaginary bad faith reader.

there will always be someone who finds fault in your work. there will be people who read the messages on it wrong. there will be people who will take every compelling aspect about your work off of it so they can put in their own.

you cannot make art for these people.

you will never write a story that is free from criticism. you will never draw a piece that everyone finds appealing. you will never compose a song that everyone enjoys hearing. you cannot, fundamentally, set out to create something and only think of how you can avoid someone not liking it.

because, and this is key, there will be someone who sees every angle of your story and feels its intent in their heart and gushes to their friends about it. you will draw someone's favorite art and they will make it their phone wallpaper because they want to see it every day. someone will fall in love with your song and loop it on their way to work because it gets them through the day. and THOSE are the people your work is for. THOSE are the people you have to care about, because they love what you make for what it is - because it's itself.

if you set out to create something and file off every sharp edge, prune every thorn, you will be left with something fragile and weak, and it will be fragile and weak for the sake of someone who does not exist but that you were scared of anyway.

sharing art is complex and tangled and powerful, and anything you care enough to create deserves to flourish as itself. get sillay.

[1legitconnor]

if you say you like my writing i build a little shrine for you in my mind and lay imaginary flowers at it every day. just so u know

[1legitconnor]

Literally cannot emphasize enough that my #1 writing advice is to stop being afraid. Stop being afraid of sounding too cringe, or too stupid, or too horrifying, or too horny, or too weird, or too much, or too little, or too you. You need to put your entire pussy into your art. Sure, it won't be to everyone's tastes, but if you keep yourself to the blandest tamest safest roads possible you will be of no one's tastes, not even yours.

[1legitconnor]

[1legitconnor]

[1legitconnor]

the cool thing about writing is that if you finish the book you get a free book at the end

[1legitconnor]

sometimes the best writing advice is "just let it be bad." revolutionary. terrifying. but it works.

[1legitconnor]

If you're a writer you're supposed to write a lot of bullshit. It's part of the gig. You have to write a lot of absolute garbage in order to get to the good bits. Every once in a while you'll be like "Oh, I wish I hadn't wasted all that time writing bullshit," but that's dumb. That's exactly the same as an Olympic runner being like "Oh, I wish I hadn't wasted all that time running all those practice laps"

[1legitconnor]

Self love as a writer is...

Being able to re-read your works, die of embarrassment when you find typos but remain strong enough to edit them yourself because this is your beloved story

When you have 12,000 WIPs and just embrace it because you don't need that overthinking and pressure ruining the fun in your writing process.

When you choose to learn, improve and grow as a writer because you want to take your own writing to the next level, and not because of external forces.

When you see yet another tip on writing but you're finally so comfortable in and happy with your writing and your stories that you ignore that tip.

When you receive a negative/hate comment on your writing/story and your response to the person is not, "what can I do to change your mind?", but, "I did my best. You're entitled to your own opinion." Then you proceed to continue enjoying writing like you already do.

When you fall in love with your own writing to the point that you can read your own stories and enjoy them as though you were reading another author's.

When you're finally done giving a fuck about people's opinion on the fact that you're a writer, your writing or the kind of writer you are. You've chosen your peace and happiness atp

[1legitconnor]

[1legitconnor]

God I love “We’re enemies, but we’ve been enemies for a long time, which is sort of like being friends.” Great trope.

[1legitconnor]

approaching the wip carefully from the side like a skittish animal. speaking in a low, gentle voice so it doesn’t run away

[1legitconnor]

Messaging people for the first time is so hard. What am I supposed to say? Like, "You seem really odd and your blog intrigues me. Do you want to have philosophical conversations or perhaps talk about fictional characters?" What! Whatever. I will just follow you back and stare at your blog with my big beautiful brown eyes.

[1legitconnor]

STOP BEING SELF CONSCIOUS ABOUT YOUR CREATIONS STOP SECOND GUESSING WHAT YOU REALLY WANNA DO STOP DEBATING IT'S WORTH. LET YOUR ART SERVE YOU INSTEAD OF THE OTHER WAY AROUND