The following is an adptation. All credits go to Noah Bradley from conceptart.org enjoy!(Source):

I hear it all the time:

Am I talented enough? How much should I write? Am I studying/writting right? how7how much should I research? What’s the best way to use XYZ book? literature/english school or no literature/english school? Workshop or no workshop?, What if don't get enough critiques?, What if I nobody cres for my fictional work? Do I need a degree? How will I know when I’m professional? What should I write? Should I do more studies or finished work? What are the best materials? What kind of medium should I use? What style should I use ? Long stories or short story? Should I write big and complex stories or simple ones? Is it bad to write fanfics? Should I stick to traditional narrative or be more creative? Light novel or novel? Fantasy or realism? What Genre should I aim to? Am I too old to start learning/writting?

Where should I find inspiration? What do I do if I’m not inspired? How do I get through “artist’s block”? How long will it take to be a professional? Why does it feel like I’m not improving? Should I get a Moleskine? Is art dead? What is art? How do I make my characters intteresting? Is my character a Mary Sue?, Ho can I avoid writting a Mary Sue?, How do I get published? What are the best tutorials? What resolution should I work at? How do I come up with good ideas? What do I do if I stop enjoying writting?

Well, I have the answer to all of your questions: it doesn’t matter. Really. It doesn’t. These questions are excuses, plain and simple. They are used by people who aren’t writting or working that want to get wrapped up in petty minutiae at the expense of their own work.

The fact is that if you want to make art(write), then you need to make art(write). I could answer every single question on this list and it wouldn’t make you the slightest bit better at writting.

Now, I should qualify these statements before people start chucking rocks: these are mostly valid questions, with equally valid answers. They’re worth discussing at times, and are things that you’ll eventually figure out. But by and large, you’ll figure them all out for yourself by working. Notice a pattern here? Don’t be afraid to ask questions and research things, but be sure you’re not doing it at the expense of actually learning things.

So shut up, stop whining, and get to work.

This is whining

edited 8th Sep '11 9:13:40 PM by FallenLegend

Make your hearth shine through the darkest night; let it transform hate into kindness, evil into justice, and loneliness into love.

hear hear

Under World. It rocks!

Preach it, sister!

(Although I am guilty about worrying about minutiae too, although in my case the minutiae is research details, which she doesn't mention.)

edited 6th Sep '11 2:58:10 PM by annebeeche

Banned entirely for telling FE that he was being rude and not contributing to the discussion. I shall watch down from the goon heavens.

I am not whining, I am complaining. Do you want to hear whining?

Done milking that. All very good advice.

No one believes me when I say angels can turn their panties into guns.

Yeah, no one has time to listen to you whine about nothing and everything all at once, ya know.

I'm a (socialist) professional writer serializing a WWII alternate history webnovel.

Yeah, a lot of those are legitimate concerns to writers, both new and veteran. And most of those are questions aimed at the betterment of the craft of writing. And most of those questions aren't formed in a way to whine about how hard writing might be, or how difficult it is to become published or garnish fame. Those are usually things that prevent people from actually getting work done and such.

I agree though; learn how to do it (or avoid it), then practice it.

To brag a little, I used to (as in until yesterday) whine about how I'm scared of writing, how I can't decide what to write, and how I need to do more and more research...then in what is in a case of "Fuck it", I started to write.

I'm a (socialist) professional writer serializing a WWII alternate history webnovel.

And this article points out why asking specific questions with specific goals in mind is a valid use of one's time. As opposed to creating topics for polling opinions on whatever, or posting one's brilliant ideas for that story one so totally intends to write any day now for reals and sitting back to rake in the invaluable feedback.

It does seem to me that the central, underlying irony of writing forums is they mostly serve as procrastination tools rather than places of aid and support. It's not the forum's fault, really, but the way most people choose to use it.

So...people who let TV Tropes mess with them to research what genre they like to affectionately write about...kinda suck?

I'd throw the old me into this statistic, but that's just me.

Aw puck, Darkwing's on a killing spree again, we guillotin'in again.

its a valid concern... If you genuinely are using it for inspiration and research. As an excue not to start working however is not.

Make your hearth shine through the darkest night; let it transform hate into kindness, evil into justice, and loneliness into love.

Well, the only reason I started finally writing a Universe Bible was for a conversation piece at my new community college, so before that...yeaaaaah...

Aw puck, Darkwing's on a killing spree again, we guillotin'in again.

I won't even lie. I thought my first major work was the best thing ever... then I came to TV Tropes.. and I cried out of inferiority. I felt so cliche and unoriginal, but I didn't give up and say I'll never be as good as some of these works out here.

The way I see it, someone's always gonna be better than you and consequently, you're gonna be better than someone else. All you have to do is jump right in and write for yourself. Sure, accolades would be nice, but if you think you wrote the most glorious text this millennium (even if it actually sucks muffler fumes), be proud of your work.

And remember, Tropes are here to help you... not hurt you.

(屮≖益≖)屮 彡 ┻━┻ F*ck yo' table; Go read my book! —> http://goo.gl/mtXkm

not to be mean but that's that's too pessimistic and unrealistic.

While quality does require work. Ultimately regarding art there is no such thing as "best x ever" people have different tastes and if you strive for quality and do have quality people will love your work and some even consider it consider your work their favorite.

And quality is something we all can reach with enough of hard work.

edited 7th Sep '11 2:58:50 PM by FallenLegend

Make your hearth shine through the darkest night; let it transform hate into kindness, evil into justice, and loneliness into love.

Sounds like solid advice for a lot of people in this subforum.

Writers write. That is all the word means.

edited 7th Sep '11 3:18:00 PM by deathjavu

Look, you can't make me speak in a logical, coherent, intelligent bananna.

Sad to say, but all of that is common for a lot of writers, especially newbie writers just dipping their toes into the writing community. This is also true for a lot of writers that have strong editing tendencies, who feel the need to plus their work constantly.

In lieu with the thread, a lot of that are excuses tempered with lots of intimidation, and possibly sprinkled with a dash of bad experiences within the writing community from the vocal minority of douche-bag criticism (as opposed to helpful criticism).

Writers, for one reason or another, feel compelled to compete with one another; that can tend to get to people over a stretch of time.

edited 7th Sep '11 3:21:13 PM by Newfable

Yep.

I used to not whine/worry unreasonably. Then...bad things happened.

edited 7th Sep '11 6:13:36 PM by MrAHR

Read my stories!

I went to CA and read the original post. And I share the same sentiment as those in the original thread.

Time that could be spent in insecurity is better spent working either on your serious work or practicing. Because at the end of the day, all the advice in the world can't help you if you don't start working.

Support Taleworlds!

Well, personally, I feel there's a lot of those questions that don't have a right answer. Most of them are things you'll answer for yourself as you write, so there's no point in worrying about them; cross those bridges when you get to them.

No one believes me when I say angels can turn their panties into guns.

Make your hearth shine through the darkest night; let it transform hate into kindness, evil into justice, and loneliness into love.

I should really learn to read entire posts before opening my fat mouth, shouldn't I?

No one believes me when I say angels can turn their panties into guns.

I just couldn't resist to do that.

Make your hearth shine through the darkest night; let it transform hate into kindness, evil into justice, and loneliness into love.