On Writing for LAS - A Rant

[sariagray]

We have a week for this challenge. ONE WEEK. And of course, I'm working insane hours, so I really only have this weekend. 

There is a process behind all of these stories that I write, more so with my other works (in which I literally just spew words and hope for the best). First, I have a knee-jerk reaction to the prompt. I read it and then the first thing that pops into my head is what I run with. It's like instinct, only not necessarily good instinct. Often, too, it's outside of the "norm" of the prompt. Because I'm Saria and Saria writes...Saria-things. So while it worked for "The Right Time To Lie," my "Valentine's Day" story was a bit - well, it wasn't hearts and flowers and puppies, was it? Not at all.

I have NOTHING against fluff, mind. I read it like a woman starved, really. I just can't write it - not the concentrated kind, anyway. I think I do romance, but it's always a double-edged sword; the romance is only there to balance the bleakness. Hell, the romance is only important because of how destitute everything is.

It doesn't help that I'm a poet by nature. I think in symbols and even my factual essays contain purposeful alliteration and figurative language. I'm not concrete and I layer meaning in a way that requires people to analyze. Everything is selected for a reason.

Newsflash to Self: Very few people want to analyze fan fiction. That's NOT why they're here.

A lot of you, those with whom I have become relatively close, seem to get it. And for that I am so thankful. But that doesn't work for something like LAS, I presume. And maybe I'm being pretentious, but that frustrates me beyond belief. 

Why?

Because this challenge, "Terrible Gift" (which I keep accidentally mentally calling "Terrible Lie." Damn you, Trent Reznor.), is not helping. I know I can't write "Jack gives Ianto an ugly tie" or even "Ianto unknowingly gives Jack something that sparks a painful memory." I've already had my knee-jerk reaction and need to see it through. And I'm so terrified (TERRIFIED!) that no one is going to understand.

In the end, it doesn't really matter that they don't. Understand, that is. Because, well, at the end of the day, I only have to be happy with myself and my quality of work. The problem is that I'm NEVER happy with what I write. I'm pleased with people's positive reactions to things (and sometimes quite surprised, truth be told), but I will never be satisfied with myself.

Ask either analineblue or thebuttonontop, both of whom have patiently listened to my vague rantings/ravings/panic attacks. Especially analineblue, for cheering me up with thoughts of magical talking goldfish. *Giggles* But anyway, that's part of the problem. I can't even rant with full disclosure because this is supposed to be a secret.

But LAS has taught me a lot and has stretched me as a writer already. I thought of skipping this round just for sheer lack of confidence, but I can't do that. I will save those skips for, you know, legitimate reasons. Not shaking in my shoes.
I just want this round to be over with. The next one will be better. Yes it will.

As for the confessional nature of this, I really believe that there should be an LAS-style reality show called "Fandom" in which a bunch of fan fiction authors are given challenges. And they all live in the same house and complain about each other. I would be the stereotypical pretentious drama queen, I think. Sadly. I would complain about how no one understands because I'm a tortured artist. Halfway through the season, I'd shave my head in protest of some unspoken affront. And I would smoke all of the time and discuss how I was writing a dissertation on "Ianto As Metaphor" or something equally ridiculous.
 
Basically, LAS leaves me with this weird feeling that I can't write and yet that I  want more than anything to prove myself (while I feel I have nothing to prove). So. Yeah. I'm just going to sit in this corner and rock back and forth.

Comments

[usakiwigirl.livejournal.com]

I went with my gut instinct on this one too. I knocked it out last night and then after checking this morning, sent it before I could start second guessing myself. I'm not sure it's what people think of in terms of the prompt either, but my gut said go, and I did.

You write beautiful stories, always making us think, about the words used and their deeper meanings. It's what works for you. The word limit is more of a problem, I think, than the actual content. It constrains in a way that can be detrimental to the feel of the story, especially if massive amounts of pruning are involved. I much prefer to just type until it reaches a natural conclusion - of course, then I sit back and realise I've just typed out 3000 words of nothing!

[sariagray.livejournal.com]

*Hugs* I'm sure you did fine! And that's what I should do, I think, just give it one final once-over and let it out into the world. Unfortunately, I cling. *Stares at story* It's not ready to go out into the world without me. *Sniff* It's just a baby! So many bad things could happen to it! *Smothers*

I agree with typing until natural conclusion is met. I didn't think it would be such a problem for me as my stories fall in the 500-1000 word range pretty regularly. But now that I'm told to constrain, well, I rebel. Maybe they should tell me I have to write 5k words and I'll stop before I hit 1k? ;)

And I'm glad you think it works for me! lol Because more often than not I post something and suspect the general reaction to be "Oh, look. Saria's trying to be literary again." *Giggle*

You know, though. LAS really is good for us. I mean, it certainly gets our names out there, yeah? And challenges us. And the changing time constraints, too, are actually pretty incredible when you think about it. Because there are pros and cons to a one-week time frame and a three-week time frame and people function differently with both.

And I'm rambling again. Er. Sorry about that. *Backs away slowly*

[usakiwigirl.livejournal.com]

LOL! Sorry hun, the babies are never old enough to go out in the world on their own! Beasties and ghoulies are around every corner, just waiting to gobble them up. It's hard, but at some point, you have to let them go... (are we still talking about writing?)

I pruned this one down to the wire. I used the same word-count programme that needtakehave suggests, so if all goes to plan, it's fine. But I have nothing to spare on this one! On the other side, if I did have free rein, there's no telling how long the damn thing would end up. I can spend an awful lot of time just waffling about nothing, when given the chance.

And I hate to tell you this, dear, but you ARE literary! That's what drew me to your stories in the first place. Actually, I think it was your word of the day shorts that you did. I loved the English lesson on top of the story. Made my brain work a little harder.

The time limits always changing is a good thing, I think. In the real world, if writing a story for submission, deadlines are a must. With different limits set on us, we have no choice but to knuckle down and do the work. But I do feel more stretched with this. I want to have a bit more concrit though on mine - the most I've gotten is that the italics put off one person for voting mine top last go round. I don't know how else to convey the stress, as you know I type exactly how I speak. That's the sort of thing I need to hear.

Yeah, rambling along right with you. *holds on tight*

[sariagray.livejournal.com]

Well, I was still talking about writing, anyway. lol Unless I have secret children. Which I imagine would be difficult.

Mine is...close, but not quite dangerously so. Yet. I edited while drunk, so maybe it is now (I'm a bit afraid to look). As for being literary *blushes*. I don't mind, in fact, I'm glad you think so! I just worry that people think I'm trying (and thus, failing. Rather than "Saria's being literary" or something). This makes more sense in my head, I think. I'm sleep deprived, though, so what the heck do I know? lol And I totally forgot about my drabbles! I do this often - "Oh! I wrote that! Yeah!"

Italics don't bother me at all - I guess it's a preference thing, though. I plan on taking more extensive notes this coming round (although I think the stories will be posted in the midst of celebration, so we shall see - I may just be too hung over!) But hopefully I will have something more helpful than this past week's notes which were mostly strange doodly symbols that even I can't quite decipher (though apparently, at the time, it made sense to me?)

Ramble away! Ramble on! *Is now singing Led Zeppelin*

[usakiwigirl.livejournal.com]

The notes will be the death of me. I thought I took halfway decent notes this time, but apparently not - when somebody asks for feedback and all I have written down is "well written", then I guess more attention needs to be paid!

What celebration? Am I missing something? I was off most of the weekend, migraine issues plus family crap, so did something come down the wire that I missed? D'oh - nevermind - it's your birthday. I remembered! Without even checking the notifications, huzzah!

Now I just have to organise something special for you... and cinnatart, cuz I missed hers. It's my boy's birthday this week too - good week for babies!

[sariagray.livejournal.com]

*Blush* You really don't have to organize a thing! It's not that big of a deal - I just KNOW that I will be drinking my liver to shreds if my friends have any say in the matter. :)

I'm so bad at feedback. I'll really need to pay attention this time around. *Stocks up on coffee, aspirin, and cigarettes and writes up "Do Not Disturb" sign*