Stress - Writers Forum

House of Wolves · 04-12-2008, 07:42 AM

You have a really bad day, and to stop from using blades, you take it out on writing and erase chapters you were in the middle of writing. You critiscize every bit of your writing, but later, when you're calmer, you regret erasing the writing and you can't remember some of the plot because you ruined your notes.

Anyone know how to prevent this? Please no 'see a counsler'- my school guidence counsler is some kind of optimistic stalker.

OddGodHMK · 04-12-2008, 08:40 AM

Don't erase your work?

Roxane · 04-12-2008, 09:12 AM

double save the work? if i start cutting something or changing it drastically I always use a different computer file than the original!

Necromortis · 04-12-2008, 09:18 AM

When you go to erase your work, instead of straight deleting it, put it into a separate file called 'Cut Work.' That way, you can go back and re-read it when you're calmer and put it back in, or at the very least, remember the plotline.

That of course, only applies if you write on a computer, vs. handwriting.

~Christian

Katastrof · 04-12-2008, 09:45 AM

If you have MS Word 2000+ you could use "Track Changes", which saves everything you delete in nice little notes at the side of the story.

But really, you should just turn off your inner editor until you've finished your first draft and then go back to it a day or two later to make any changes...

Damian_Rucci · 04-12-2008, 10:05 AM

Maybe try to handle your stress to your advantage and write some poetry to let out your feelings.

lilacstarflower · 04-12-2008, 10:11 AM

I second Roxane: why don't you keep a memory pen or file especially for work that you want to cut. When you find yourself wanting to explore that area again its all there.

Going into shrink mode though: maybe keeping a journal will help - I have to do it because of the type of training I'm doing and I really find it helps me out. I can vent anything on it and feel much better. That is, if I don't have a character who needs my frustration...

CodeRed · 04-12-2008, 10:23 AM

Apart from the other ideas already mentioned, if it's a matter of relieving tension through destroying work, I'd suggest printing it out and then going to town on it that way. You can edit it, scribble on it, burn it... The choice is yours, but you'd still have the originals. (Always make sure you keep a saved copy though - maybe on a USB stick that you can leave in someone elses possession - since you are aware that you have a propensity to do this).

Noirllyn · 04-12-2008, 01:04 PM

Been there, done that, googled the answer.

That's worse comes to worst comes to "man, why the hell did I do that?".

You should for sure make several copies of your work, and it's my personal opinion that it's best to keep a print-out on hand. Yes, it can get to be a lot of paper and ink/toner, but when your motherboard gets fried late at night and you can't run to another computer with your disk or flash drive... you've still got that good old fashioned hard copy. Plus, you actually do see and read things differently on actual paper.

My suggestion from personal experience would be to make a separate folder in your writing directory labeled something like "ATTACK THIS" or "DESTROY" and put into it things that you wrote that you found to be poor quality when you were in a fine mood. Of course, save them to another location as well and make print outs. Then when you're upset in whatever way for whatever reason, go into the "destroy" folder. I do my absolute best editing when I'd just as soon punch a hole into the wall, rip a giant slab of plaster out, and swing it around at everyone... or cry. I actually also keep copies of things friends and classmates have asked for my help with in the hardcopy folder, too. I've worked some miracles in fits of red-pen-rage.

It's fine to get mad at some writing now and then and show it who's boss. You should start with crap, though and prove that you're the boss by making it better. Sounds like it might not work, but it worked for me. If I didn't "channel that negative energy" into fixing piles of crap, I would've deleted my entire hard drive by now.

Judith Tramayne · 04-12-2008, 01:38 PM

On days that the critical editor bug hits you, go take a walk or buy a punching bag and beat up on it instead of your writing.

Judith

rumpole40k · 04-14-2008, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CodeRed

Apart from the other ideas already mentioned, if it's a matter of relieving tension through destroying work, I'd suggest printing it out and then going to town on it that way. You can edit it, scribble on it, burn it... The choice is yours, but you'd still have the originals. (Always make sure you keep a saved copy though - maybe on a USB stick that you can leave in someone elses possession - since you are aware that you have a propensity to do this).

That's what I do. I always keep two redundant copies on seperate USb sticks that are FAR away from my work space.