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[roonerspism]

Fellow writers.

Have you ever read a line of another writer's work that sounded so beautiful, seemed so right, that you felt like just... giving up? Like nothing you write will ever have that much impact on people, couldn't possible make others feel the same way that person's line made you feel when you read it? And had that become so deeply rooted

Comments

[pretty_panther]

yeah but then i remember that i don't know how others feel about my writing. maybe i cause that in someone? i certainly don't know that i've never done, if that makes sense, so it spurs me on. i like writing and i don't want to stop so i just potter on.

[roonerspism]

Hmm, thanks! That thought actually helps a little. I mean, I'm still stuck in a rut where I can't find any words that I think are good enough, but having that idea in the back of my mind is helpful.
I like writing too, and definitely don't want to stop. But sometimes, gosh, I certainly come close to it.

[halfeatenmoon]

Yes, all the time. Especially when I'm reading Markus Zusak. But I tend to get it more with song lyrics, The Whitlams and Fall Out Boy in particular. When am I ever going to be able to come up with something as simple and brilliant as "I'm just a notch in your bedpost, but you're just a line in a song"?

[roonerspism]

Oh, thank goodness I'm not alone in this feeling!
I have only read one Zusak (The Book Thief, predictably) but that novel awed me. I think I need to read it again some day soon.
And song lyrics, for sure. Just, pure poetry in some of them. And that particular line is just so wonderful, I can't even. I hardly listen to FOB, but their lyrics seem great.

[halfeatenmoon]

The Zusak line that always stuck in my head was from The Messenger, when the protaganist finds himself standing horrified outside a house where he can hear a man beating his wife inside, and says "A little bit of crying broke off and tumbled down the stairs". I don't know how he manages to do metaphor like that.

[roonerspism]

Oh, wow, shit. That's awesome. I've tried to write lines like that before, but I don't know if they have worked half as well as that Zusak worked on me just then.

[star55]

Almost every single day. With some of your work as well.
Totally ready to give up.

[roonerspism]

Why do we have to feel this way?
It startles me that you'd include any of my stuff though.
Please don't give up. I won't if you won't :P

[star55]

Because, as artists, we always compare ourselves to something better. Happens all of the time. I guess it's a way to strive to be the best that we can be.

Why wouldn't I? You're amazingly talented. Not only in writing but in drawing and I can't even draw stick figures let alone the beautiful works of art you've posted on your LJ. Not to even begin mentioning the way your stories make me feel. You're amazing. That's that.
♥

[roonerspism]

Well, that is very true. Very true indeed. :)

And daww <3 You flatter me too much here, and I feel so warm and fuzzy. I hope you know you're amazing too? Because if you don't I may have to come and slap you till you see sense!

Also I have lost track of Glee completely, like I haven't seen any of S3 D: But your icon is beautiful. Oh God yes.

[willowcabin]

yes, i feel that on a regular basis. you're not alone!

[roonerspism]

I'm sad that you feel it too, but also glad to hear there's another person in the same boat. Mixed emotions! XD

[willowcabin]

i think that pretty much everyone who writes feels that way tbh!

[roonerspism]

You saying that kind of overwhelms me, but I feel quite proud too. I don't want to have such an effect on people though.
And I agree, really. We shouldn't give up just because we feel this way. And as much as I may like to sometimes, I won't. Especially when I know you're there, by my side.

And oh, it kind of seems silly now. And it's a line taken out of context, so it has little impact without the build up and so on. But it was in a Sherlock fic I read a few days ago, and the line was: He was your home, and you were his battlefield.
It's weird now, actually, looking at this line again. Because I can see a (very minor) way I would improve it, and I feel less burdened by it. Not totally free, but the weight has definitely lifted.

Thank you.

[roonerspism]

Perhaps, yes, perhaps I have.
But it is a powerful line, and it has hit me for six.

I like that view of yours. It makes me feel strong.

Oh, and there are words.