This Week's Topic:

[twopoint]

Hi!

Question: How long does it take after you've edited and posted a fic to be able to re-read it without feeling like you're going to throw up?

(I'm seriously emetophobic, so typing the words 'throw up' is very hard for me, but no other phrase comes close to expressing my feelings on this matter.)

Comments

[levadegratchets.livejournal.com]

Are you serious?

Never.

I don't re-read my own writing unless I'm in the mood to beat the crap out of myself, which...yes, I do.

I will pick out every last freaking phrase I hated, still hate with a passion and then beat myself to bits for posting it in the first place. ETA: Then take it down, and never post it again. Done that.

I don't do this to anyone else though, just me. This is why I love reading other people's work and never understand how writers fall so in love with their own writing. THAT really boggles my poor mind.

I'd try to be philosophical and nice about it but that's why you have Ramie.

[two-point.livejournal.com]

Seriously, why would I ever be serious?

In all seriousness, I could tell you that it was ridiculous for you to beat yourself up because I love your writing, but I doubt it would do any good (but you should listen to me!!!)

We're both extraordinarily similar in our recovering perfectionism. I once had this machine of an eventer in my barn. He was one of those warmbloods that are so well bred they look alien, like a praying mantis. He had been pushed to do the upper levels all his life and he'd anticipate mistakes to the point where he would start freaking before a mistake actually happened. When he came to that point, we'd have to stop work for the day and try again later -- so he never got very far in his next life as a lazy, fat pet for a private owner who was a violist.

One day a visitor was watching the violist and her horse work and said, "That horse needs to learn how to play blue notes."

And that way of thinking eventually worked.

We need to learn how to play blue notes.

[levadegratchets.livejournal.com]

Mmmhmm....

I'd need a brain transplant first.

Let the other signs be narcissistic. We Aries are hardass hardheads (rams).

But it's ok. I like being critical of me. It keeps me from thinking too much of myself.