Tag: writers

Heroic Sacrifice.

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Sometimes, writing kinda sucks.

I just finished the climax of my story named “You Only Live 18 Times”.
As usual, I think it’s my best. It’s probably not, but I always think that when I write something new. It’s in the “Spyjirra” universe and is a Elder Scrolls/Prequel Adventure/James Bond-ish crossover.

But now I have a dilemma. Big spoiler here, but I felt like discussing it anyway. In the climax, one of the main characters is caught underwater nearby a huge underwater explosion. I’d hoped to have her survive, (she’s an argonian and hence can breath underwater) but I just read some interesting and scientific work on underwater explosions and frankly, given the strength of the explosion and her proximity, she really can’t survive.

I’d considered bringing in magic, perhaps a literal Deus-Ex-Machina, or just ignoring actual science and physics, but I talked it over with a friend and now I’m of the opinion that she has to die. It’s a weird thing, thinking that killing a character I’d only just created a few weeks before makes me feel bad. But it does. The scenario was such that she knew she wouldn’t survive, it was a heroic sacrifice, so it would cheapen it to let her live when everything says she can’t.

I suppose it’s just a thing writers have to get through from time to time. It probably is a better story because of it. But… damn.

Suggestion for Creators

I’m probably not someone that anyone should look to for advice on writing, drawing or anything like that. I am a creator of sorts, but what I do is pretty porny so I’m not going to go promoting it all over the place. (images below unrelated btw!) However, I have picked up one thing that helps me out mentally that I think would be helpful for others.

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Don’t expect or wait for praise. You might get a few likes and, heaven hope, those delightful reposts, but don’t expect them.  Instead, just dive right into the next creation.  When your current posting doesn’t get those thousands of Likes and hundreds of Reposts it truly deserves. (like you know it does, otherwise you wouldn’t post it in the first place), you won’t be dispirited because you’ll already be working on the next one which is better than the last one!

Plus you’ll be gaining experience and talent. So don’t wait for it to feed your ego. You’ve got even better things to work on!

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And one other thing I just thought about recently. If you do receive criticism, that means you’re doing something right. VERY right. Someone cared enough about what you made to actually write something back about it. REGARDLESS of if it’s a well thought out critique, or if is just “That thing you did SUCKS!”, you struck a nerve.  Good job you!  Of course, if it IS well thought out, see if you can use it to improve.  Be aware that the answer MAY be “No, this is useless to me.” That’s okay too. But for someone to take even a few seconds out of their life to devote to your work, that’s something. Something good regardless.

So, don’t wait for the accolades – get back to work you slave! And don’t mind criticism too much – it means you touched someone regardless of what it actually says.