I'm giving up writing

I've had some time to think about it, and due to the fact that:

• I don't have a Beta Reader;
• Nearly everybody I know will get the "I wanna hang myself" look in their eyes after reading two sentences of ANYTHING I write;
• If I did get somebody to read it, they'd need everything explained to them, since most of them prefer to wait for movie to come out, rather than actually read anything;
• I've got a ton of story ideas, but no outlet for them (see the Beta Reader comment above);

I've decided to give up on any writing. So, this is my goodbye to writing.

edited 11th Feb '11 5:56:26 PM by RedneckRocker

Who needs a Beta Reader? That's half the challenge- learning to self-edit.

But if you're not willing to change your mind, then whatever. See you.

Um, Why not just post some of your stuff online and ask for feedback?

Huh... You could just ask for a Beta? As in, I'm pretty sure there are some people who volunteer to beta.

edited 11th Feb '11 6:04:26 PM by risingdreamer

Um, Why not just post some of your stuff online and ask for feedback?

Because I've dealt with too many Negative Nick and Noras who like to focus on the ONE mistake, rather than any of the positive qualities. Quite frankly, I'm burned out.

edited 11th Feb '11 6:09:30 PM by RedneckRocker

WHAT? Pointing out your mistakes and telling you how to fix things as opposed to feeding your ego?

HOW HORRIBLE.

edited 11th Feb '11 6:09:25 PM by MrAHR

To be fair, I was burned out for a while from the same thing- although in my case, it was focusing on the flaws without people really telling me how to improve on them.

Maybe people are trolling him/her rather than giving constructive criticism? I would be more worried with those who say it sucks without explaining why.

Cygs and risingdreamer: Fair enough. However, I am inclined to be suspicious due to the nature of this thread. People normally request for BETTER critique or something to that extent. They don't make a thread saying they are giving up writing forever.

Whether you're going to get usable feedback or bitching and trolling is going to depend largely on where you're posting. I haven't noticed the latter here that much. And looking at your posting history, I'm not seeing your actual writing — character outlines, and bullet-point descriptions, but those don't really provide anything to hang much of a critique on...

edited 11th Feb '11 6:22:15 PM by Madrugada

Which is true. Which is why I made my first post in this thread.

Madrugada: Oh. It didn't occurred me the OP was talking about posting here. I feel like an idiot now XD.

I don't think he has posted any of his writing here. Just notes and outline-type things.

It sounds like he's still in the planning stages, but when he explains things to people IRL, they don't particularly care.

You know, like all amateurs, even us.

Hum.... Maybe s/he's like me, and has a Five Minute Retirement every time a major case of writer's block kicks in, but resumes writing three days later? But after the first two times I did that, I decided keeping my ZOMGANAISGIVINGUPWRITTING to herself.

Sorry, I hope I didn't sound silly or stupid.

edited 11th Feb '11 6:26:23 PM by risingdreamer

I can understand that, people do that from time to time. The key is to not make a thread about it if your emotions go on whims like that.

Maybe give up on writing without discontinuing the act of writing.

I did that, and I'm no longer stressed over it. Even the nineteenth century physicist yelling on top of my desk about creating a temporal paradox and how my room decor sucks isn't a big deal unless I let it be.

edited 11th Feb '11 6:28:08 PM by SPACETRAVEL

Errr... Yes, you're right. If I were to make a thread every time I went all: IFAILSOMUCHOMG, I would be kicked out from here and Gaia Online. Not that I'm not annoying, already.

I only posted one thing about it in a pre-created thread, asking if I should or not. Then I took my hiatus, calmed down, and came back with a new appreciation of positive criticism.

I sometimes do it on MSN. But my friends know better and don't even listen to me anymore XD. Poor folks.

I do frequently ask people if I should continue my projects or not. Because I'm nervous and insecure like that. Sadly -_-

I don't think he has posted any of his writing here. Just notes and outline-type things.

Actually, Madrugada, I HAVE written a few things. I've just never really felt the need to post them online.

Don't get me wrong: I'm not terrified that if a person reads one sentence, they'll totally rip me off (unlike a certain person I know in Real Life [who'll remain nameless], who's thinks this very idea). It's just that I'd prefer that people I actually know, in person, to look it over first.

And since they've nearly always either had the "I wanna hang myself", "One Mistake Obsession", or "Me No Read So Good" attitude towards my work, I've refrained from posting anything.

...Me No Read So Good. Crap, I HATE when this happens.

While it's a good idea to run your work by your peers (who are arguably the demographic you'd be targeting), they're not likely to be writers themselves and give you real, well-constructed criticism. I'd highly recommend posting something online, just to see what a more (potentially) helpful group has to say about it. Hell, even if the first challenge is just getting through the opening sentences, somebody will be able to help you.

Maybe looking like they want to hang themselves and telling you your writing sucks

is a sign that you should look at your writing

and consider that maybe it sucks.

Hence the title of the thread, Dae Brayk @___@

Honestly I don't think the average person is interested in reading some amateur's stuff. Most people I know don't even like to read unless it's Harry Potter.