Writer's Block

[clouditchi]

 I have been wanting to write more fanfiction, but I just can't bring myself to do it. I get afraid I'll be stuck, I wonder if I'm even writing this for the right reasons, I initially wanted to write it for myself, but feeling like not many people like my work makes me feel discouraged. To be fair it's a niche genre. Still it's depressing. I also feel like the people who are interested have these high expectations, high expectations that I cannot fulfill. I have these great ideas that some people seem to like but I get in my own head, asking myself can I even deliver? I don't know what to do. Should I take a stab at it anyway? I truly love writing fanfiction. I just don't have enough faith in myself I think, and am afraid to show it to anyone I know. I just wish I had people who I wouldn't feel embarrassed to show my work to. 

Comments

[ureshiimanga]

It’s the same like making art/drawing. You have to do it for yourself. Making art for other people’s taste will give you art block.

I would just post your writing, don’t be afraid. Don’t try to make it perfect. Write the stories you want to write. It’s probably the only way to improve. 😊

Thoughts

[ysabetwordsmith]

>> I have been wanting to write more fanfiction, <<

Go for it!

>> but I just can't bring myself to do it.<<

Bummer. Inertia sucks.

>> I get afraid I'll be stuck, <<

That can happen. It's just something you learn to deal with as a writer. There are many ways to get unstuck, so you can try different things to see what works for you.

https://www.writingclasses.com/toolbox/articles/12-techniques-for-getting-un-stuck

https://www.reproof.app/blog/overcome-writers-block

>> I wonder if I'm even writing this for the right reasons, I initially wanted to write it for myself, but feeling like not many people like my work makes me feel discouraged.<<

So explore your reasons. Any reason you find good is a valid reason to write. There is no One True Reason for all authors or all writing. That's a good thing. You can write for practice, for self-expression, for sheer fansquee, for sharing with friends -- they're all good.

>> To be fair it's a niche genre. Still it's depressing. <<

Much of what I write is niche, including my original work. I've got several series with asexual leads. I've got autistic colony in space. I've got the God of Drunks. I don't need to write the 25,000th lost prince story. I'm writing for the folks who walk into a bookstore and struggle to find anything with characters remotely like them. And I've built an audience around that. This week they asked me for accelerated warming in the Arctic and what to do after the dragons have eaten all the heroes. It's been fun, for us.

Think about what sounds fun to you, what things your fandom -- however niche -- is into, and how to find other folks who like the same things you do. You might explore small_fandoms, smallfandomfest, bethefirst, or launchtheship for the road less traveled.

>> I also feel like the people who are interested have these high expectations, high expectations that I cannot fulfill. <<

That's possible. People can be horrible. However, they can also be really awesome and encouraging. Sometimes it helps to start small, make a bunch of different things using diverse topics and techniques, then see what people like.

>> I have these great ideas that some people seem to like but I get in my own head, asking myself can I even deliver? I don't know what to do. Should I take a stab at it anyway? <<

Writing, like all things, improves with practice. No matter how good or bad you are, if you hack out a batch of fanfic, you will get better. Especially if you pay attention to what works or doesn't. One cool thing about fanfic is there's no practical risk, just the emotional tension of putting something out there. If it doesn't work, there's no real harm done. Fanfic is just for fun. If one flops, you can just try again.

>> I truly love writing fanfiction.<<

Yay!

>> I just don't have enough faith in myself I think, and am afraid to show it to anyone I know. I just wish I had people who I wouldn't feel embarrassed to show my work to. <<

It's okay to write just for yourself if you don't feel ready to share. But there are lots of people who love reading fanfic, so if you look around, you can probably find more of them. addme_fandom is one good place to look.

Re: Thoughts

[clouditchi]

I appreciate the great advice and the helpful links! These are things I look forward to putting into practice. I have also found that reading and listening to audiobooks has given me the motivation to continue writing but now my problem is not having the time to write. Life really loves to screw with me it seems. ToT

Re: Thoughts

[ysabetwordsmith]

>>I appreciate the great advice and the helpful links! These are things I look forward to putting into practice.<<

I'm happy I could help!

>> I have also found that reading and listening to audiobooks has given me the motivation to continue writing <<

Oh, that's a good idea.

>>but now my problem is not having the time to write. Life really loves to screw with me it seems. ToT <<

Making time to write is a common challenge. I myself find it effective to snarl at people who interrupt me. Other people have used many tactics:

* Get up an hour earlier to write while nobody else is awake to bother you.

* Go away to write, somewhere like a coffeehouse or a park, so you'll be out of easy reach.

* Carry a notebook (or nowadays, a laptop) with you everywhere so you can write while waiting in line.

* Break a big project into tiny steps that you complete quickly.

* Write very short things that are easy to finish like haiku, drabbles, or "five tips" articles.

https://kindlepreneur.com/time-to-write/

https://www.well-storied.com/blog/key-to-making-time-to-write

https://nownovel.com/how-to-find-time-to-write-while-you-work