Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Insecure Writers - February Edition


There are several things going on today that I’d like to mention.

First! I mentioned on Monday that if anyone managed to sit through all those videos I posted I’d make a big deal about it today. Well, congrats to Gail who patronized me by watching them all. She was too pooped to really have thoughts about it. But hey, she was like a marathoner that wouldn’t quit.Alex emailed me later and mentioned that he watched them all (and that doesn’t mean he watched his own five times either, I asked). But beyond that I’m not sure anyone else was able to hang in there for all of them.

If I missed anyone please let me know, I didn’t leave anyone out on purpose. Some of the comments were a little dodgy on the topic.

Second, the legal whiz, Briane Pagel, came up with an idea for what is perhaps the greatest blogfest ever devised. Where he got the idea is beyond me, because it’s amazing. On Friday you need to write something about a pineapple, you can read about it here, I’m not actually sure about the details, as the rules read much like a calculus final, but I figure that if I post something about pineapples the rest will take care of itself.

And I signed up for the A-Z blogging challenge in April, it’s pretty much the greatest blogfest ever devised… wait, why does that sound familiar to me? Regardless, I’m pretty sure it’s the biggest. The day after it went live it already had several hundred folks signed up. Look, April is going to be a lonely month if you don’t plan on being a part of it. So hop in and go with it. You can sign up here.

What else? Oh, today is Insecure Writers group – February edition. Thanks again to Alex J Cavanaugh for creating the group.

And I've got so many insecurities I’m afraid some of them even contradict one another. You know, like suffering from agoraphobia and claustrophobia at the same time. I’m the kind of person that wants to do everything, and I mean everything, myself. Which is why I always feel vaguely ashamed if I have to ask for someone’s help on anything I produce.

How far does that go? Well, let’s just say that I do my digital painting in photoshop – I feel like I’m cheating because I didn’t write the code myself. When I draw on a piece of paper I’m always wondering if I should have made the paper myself, from a tree that I grew from a seedling.

Sigh. I know, it’s a problem. Ironically, I love collaborative efforts, I only get that way about things that will only have my name on them and no one else’s. Am I the only one who struggles with this? Have I invented a  disorder? This rears its ugly head in me when I get editing or critiquing help from others as well. Like, if I put a period at the end of that sentence then all of a sudden it's not really my work anymore. I recognize that it's ridiculous, but that doesn't change how it feels to me.

Oh well, thanks everyone.

16 comments:

PT Dilloway said...

I never really think about that. I'm just glad someone invented MS Word so I don't have to use a crappy typewriter for everything. But then I'm from really one of the first spoiled generations to have personal computers pretty much my whole life.

Nancy said...

I know what you mean. Especially if someone has given you a great suggestion of how to reword something. I always think 'if this gets published should I somehow give them credit?' Very cleverly, I've avoided being published so as not to face this dilemma. Ha, yea, that's the reason.

Sheila Siler said...

They say the most brilliant minds have the most unusual neurosis . . .

Tonja said...

Claustrophobia and agoraphobia at the same time, yes, I might have that.

Cherie Reich said...

About the pineapples blogfest, pineapples remind me of the TV show Psych. :)

Love the contradiction analogy of agoraphobia and claustrophobia. Unfortunately, we sometimes can't do everything, but that doesn't mean we're cheating or should have to. Of course, that's what acknowledgement sections are for, to show appreciation of all who have helped us. And it's not ridiculous, it just shows you care a lot about the product. :)

Briane said...

Wow... I just had an idea for a story about an insecure writer who wants to make sure that all of his ideas are purely his, and so he manages to invent his OWN UNIVERSE in which he is the lord of all creation...

Lucky thing I thought that up all on my own and don't owe anyone anything as compensation for using it.

Your phobias remind me of when Mr Burns got a checkup and his doctor said he had EVERY DISEASE known to man, including "hysterical pregnancy."

(Mr Burns: "Hysterial pregnancy?" Doctor: "A little, yes.")

He was fine because each of the diseases was keeping each of the other diseases in check. So I'm sure things will work out fine for you, provided that you in some way figure out a way to create a tiny speck of matter that will implode on itself and then expand rapidly, ultimately forming into a Rusty-centric universe in which you are responsible for each and everything in it.

But wait... where'd the original piece of matter come from?

Brinda said...

Ah...contradictions galore. You sound kinda normal to me.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

If you write and create your own program, let me know. I'm sure it will be awesome.
The A to Z IS the greatest blogging challenge ever - 1300 of us weren't wrong last year, were we.
For the record, you are correct, I did not watch my trailer five times. Guess I lied, because I didn't watch it Monday at all. However, I think I watched it a hundred times the week my publisher sent it to me...

M.J. Fifield said...

I signed up for the A to Z Challenge too. It was great last year so I'm really looking forward to doing it again this year. Just need a theme.

I personally feel bad asking people for help on things because I doubt very much that I am a worthy use of their time.

Alex's comment made me laugh...

Unknown said...

We can't really help the way we feel but we can be responsible for those feelings and at times even edit out the ones that do not belong.

Andrew Leon said...

Okay, Mr. Thoreau, I think it's time you hike, naked, out into the woods and build yourself a cabin and live off the land. Come on, you know you can.

@Briane: The original piece of matter was created by the interaction between his opposing neuroses. Eventually, they will implode and creat a rustirion and webbotron.

Sherri Lackey said...

I signed up for the A-Z again this year. I was going to sign up on the 30th but forgot until yesterday. I was shocked at how many had already signed up in 3 days time. I was number 413! I wonder how many will be signed up by April 1st.

I can relate a bit to your wanting to do everything yourself. I suppose I do that too and it is probably why I bought a spinning wheel when I took up crocheting. I would buy a sheep too if I lived in the country.

I would edit my novels all by myself if I could, but I have the tendency to read what should be there instead of what is actually written there, my mind just fills in the blanks so to speak and I don't even see what is missing. So, I have to have someone help with editing. Still, it's hard to let go and let them do it!

Michael Offutt, Phantom Reader said...

I'm thinking of doing the pineapple blogfest. Thanks for reminding me about it.

Misha Gerrick said...

Hmm... I have this mental picture of someone with agoraphobia and claustrophobia standing stuck in a doorway because they can't go in or out. :-D

I'm also signed up for A-Z, with two blogs. I can't wait to see if I can make it.

M Pax said...

I signed up for AtoZ, too.

If I had to make my own ink & paper, I'd be farther behind than I am.

Without others to program for me [thank you to my brother for making my website--who probably wonders how I manage to put shoes on: "You'll need a webhost." Me: What's that?

dolorah said...

I've decided to take a blogger break during April. I need some actual writing time and that seems a good a period as any to be "lonely" :)

That would be cool to invent a whole new mental health diagnosis. Sadly, I think you may be just suffering from a normal writer's syndrome.

.....dhole