Thank you for sharing this. I can relate to so much of what you say, even though I have never to date written anything longer than an unfinished chaptered fanfic. I completely understand what you mean by the "how can I top this" feeling. I went to journalism graduate school, and while I was there I had two opinion articles published in the San Francisco Chronicle. I got tremendously positive feedback. I was terrified. I completely stopped writing. So I applaud you for starting something else, because I know how trememdously difficult it can be to cope with writerly success.
I also understand your plot problem. I have plans for a fantasy novel kicking around in my head that has not seen the light of day because I can't really come up with a plot. I can do characters, I love dialogue, and if you tell me to write a scene that goes from Point A to Point B, I'll be happy to oblige... but ask me to write a plot outline and I'll be hiding under the carpet.
Wish I had answers, but I'm just grateful to see that someone else feels the same way I do.
(By the way, I've never properly introduced myself in your LJ... I'm Ali, and I write unfinished H/Hr fics when I'm not changing diapers for my 3-month-old.)
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Date: 2003-08-01 10:11 pm (UTC)I also understand your plot problem. I have plans for a fantasy novel kicking around in my head that has not seen the light of day because I can't really come up with a plot. I can do characters, I love dialogue, and if you tell me to write a scene that goes from Point A to Point B, I'll be happy to oblige... but ask me to write a plot outline and I'll be hiding under the carpet.
Wish I had answers, but I'm just grateful to see that someone else feels the same way I do.
(By the way, I've never properly introduced myself in your LJ... I'm Ali, and I write unfinished H/Hr fics when I'm not changing diapers for my 3-month-old.)