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Posted By: Aldan Jan 30, 2005 - 12:30 am

I was speaking with a friend tonight about a problem he was experiencing in his life. He was complaining about his situation at home and at work, about his small social circle and other such things. While he was doing this, I was listening with one ear and my other, inner, ear was hearing my own thoughts and I suddenly realized something that I'd never really thought about before...

"You can't see the forest for the trees."

I'd heard that saying many times, but hadn't really understood it. However, the meaning of it finally hit me in the forehead tonight while I was hearing my friend gripe.

You see, my friend has two cars, a nice wife, three kids and a high-paying job that he works at for 40-45 hrs a week. However, his problems and complaints (his trees) were getting in the way of his seeing the beauties of his forest.

Often, as writers, we become so wrapped up in the mechanics of storytelling that we begin to lose sight of the wonders of the story itself. This can be devastating.

Just as devastating to any person wishing to become a published author, however, is doing the opposite and NOT paying attention to the mechanics of writing.

In my opinion, as I often state, balance is the key to avoiding those problems. If when you are writing, you find yourself at an impasse in your story, find a wall to bounce your thoughts off of. This forum, this website, makes a wonderful wall, so make use of it. The members here are in the same position you are - we are struggling with our creations, trying to make them live up to what we believe they can be, so we can often provide some hints or insight that may help you over your hump so that you can once more see the vistas awaiting your story.

New horizons await those who won't give up, so further in, higher up!

Posted By: cleasterwood Jan 30, 2005 - 05:04 am

I'd like to get over my hump right now, but nothing seems to help. Been blocked for almost 2 months but I'm not complaining because I can see the forest. Although it has some rough spots in it, I've a lot to be thankful for. Some peps just can't see the good; they only concentrate on what goes wrong. Don't know why humans do this sort of thing but I guess it's a part of our make-up. So sad to see someone who has all that they need, but they still think they need more.

Posted By: Aldan Jan 30, 2005 - 05:07 pm

I think that many people are this way because that is what drives them to improve, and without improvement, we wouldn't have been able to progress as a race in technology, athletics, etc., as fast as we have.

Posted By: Neurolanis Jan 30, 2005 - 06:56 pm

I'm happy to "just be myself" and write how the heck I want. I write a rough draft on a whim, and then get technical on the re-writing. "Keep it simple", I believe! (The way to see the forest, also!)

Posted By: gnollslayer Jan 30, 2005 - 08:51 pm

Rough drafts should definitely be written freely, but subesquent drafts should be viewed with a critical eye. Much of the editing process involves taking out rather than putting in. Being self critical can help you target the parts that need to be taken out.

Posted By: Aldan Jan 30, 2005 - 09:01 pm

Yep. It's necessary. You really just need to be sure to balance that with the storytelling, though, since if you axe too much that is essential, you'll end up with a lot of holes. Look at the LOTR movies. A lot of what was in the extended versions answered a lot of questions that previous scenes in the regular films brought up. Those weren't essential things, but they were distracting so you do need to be sure to balance your self-criticism with a touch of "what will make this story work". Also, when axing bits of story, keep the blade sharp.

Posted By: gnollslayer Jan 30, 2005 - 09:06 pm

I prefer a chainsaw.

Posted By: Magus Jan 31, 2005 - 12:35 pm

Being self critical? Good or bad?

Honestly I think that if you're not self critical then you won't be too good at the craft. You have to know what you lack at and what you eccell in. You need to know where to work the most and what needs to be corrected. Wihtought it then you can't reach your true potential as an author, artist, musician or whatever.

But too much could be a problem. We're actually talking about this in health, or something close enough to it, self talk. You run into trouble when it's meen or unconstructive. But when it's constructive or worthwhile then it's good.

Posted By: Neurolanis Jan 31, 2005 - 05:57 pm

Of course. All really successful writers were very self-critical to make it, I think. Great writers were VERY much so.