blood and genetics still means acquaintanceship

[whitereflection]

Seeing the extended family was decent. Ended up being a lot of my cousins' other side of the family, which was kind of a neat thing since it's been forever since seeing some of them, not since my one uncle's and aunt's funerals. Odd discovery was my cousin telling me she's written poetry, and been published in something, and that another aunt's written as well (It's amazing how even close family can still not know each other.) Sounds like she's interested in seeing some of mine, and I definitely want to see what both of them have done (got the feeling she might put together something of 'family' writings, which would be pretty cool). Wish I'd had the Xmas poem with me somehow, because she'd put together photo albums of old Christmases and it would have gone so well with that. Same cousin also gave me a bunch of photocopies of materials she'd gotten from a life coach, which is really freaking awesome of her to do, since I know she's spent a lot to meet with that individual. Definitely will be reading through it this week.

James' DnD game tomorrow...blah about it, but only mainly because I'm wanting 'hang around by myself and do nothing' time. Least it's a bit better than having Leslie's game because there'll be a break between end of it and raid time.

And now your moment of zen insecurity: More and more often, I find that damned near everybody I know (beyond fandom) writes, even writes poetry. How can I be thinking I could make anything of it if everybody else out there's already/also doing it, and mine isn't any better than theirs? How can I consider what I do special enough to even think I could attempt it as a livelihood?

Comments

[emerald-embers.livejournal.com]

How can I be thinking I could make anything of it if everybody else out there's already/also doing it, and mine isn't any better than theirs?

1. Actually, 90% of the people out there writing are writing rubbish.
2. Most of them will never actually FINISH what they're writing.
3. Most of them will have the same ideas everyone else has and write repetitive nonsense instead of something actually original, and damnit, you're marvellously original even in your fanfic.
4. YOU'RE ACTUALLY GOOD.

*hugs*

[whitereflection.livejournal.com]

I kept putting off replying to this because I kept not having the right words to. :x But thank you. If I can finally manage to get a working printer it's something I need to print out and tape up where I can see it to help when my brain gets like this.

You're always so awesome and supportive, and I don't do that enough for you. But it means a massive bunch to me, especially when I'm mentally mired up and frustrated with my lack of writing. I owe you many rl hugs, truly. ♥

[cacklesthewitch.livejournal.com]

More and more often, I find that damned near everybody I know (beyond fandom) writes, even writes poetry. How can I be thinking I could make anything of it if everybody else out there's already/also doing it, and mine isn't any better than theirs? How can I consider what I do special enough to even think I could attempt it as a livelihood?

I haven't read much of your stuff (my bad:/) but I've read some of the poetry you've posted lately & have been impressed (poetry, I think, is much more difficult to write well). You just have to believe that you have something to say - you certainly have the skills to say it.

[whitereflection.livejournal.com]

Thank you, very belatedly. You just have to believe that you have something to say is definitely something I need to remember and need to keep telling myself.

♥ And that's a gorgeous icon, too.

[dahliablue.livejournal.com]

I've wrestled with that same concern myself about my poetry and photography.

What the two comments above said is really interesting. I think they're right - most people don't hone their craft or submit their work anywhere. I haven't. It's mostly rough drafts and big dreams. So I think the secret is actually putting your stuff out there. And talent is important. From what I've read so far, you have that.

I say go forth, write and rewrite and submit everywhere you can think of. It's worth a shot because it just might work out.
(Is that annoyingly positive? :P)

[whitereflection.livejournal.com]

Not annoyingly positive at all--probably just the right sort of positive for when I get in a mood/mindset like that. ♥ Thank you (belatedly :x Some reason I'm being a lump and letting comments build up...)

Rough drafts and big dreams is right, I can really relate to that. What you say is good advice and a good mental nudge, am going to have to keep making myself remember it. It's so unfortunately easy to make our own roadblocks on the path to what we want, before the world even starts to throw any of its own in our way.

♥

[aliens-dance.livejournal.com]

Glad you had a good time :)