I took a lot of pictures today…
Outfit details: Shirt, unknown; Skirt, $4; Shoes, $5; Belt, $0.99; Earrings, $8
Approximate outfit cost: $18 (we’ll say $25 to give room for the shirt.)
Hahaha! My blog thinks you’re spam.
😀
*ahem* Anyway. Yeah, it actually… to some point, it bothers me when writers don’t have the… guts, I guess, to write for themselves and not for anyone else. I mean, I definitely understand the desire to be like a certain author, but… being me, I want to write like *myself*. I don’t really like being compared to other authors (when someone told me I’m like Nicholas Sparks, I cringed. Well… after I googled him to figure out who the heck he was…)– not to say I’m not flattered if I am compared to a good author– because I like being unique. (And special. Just like everyone else. 😀 )
But mostly, I wish people would realize that they need to follow their dreams because it is THEIR dream, and not get shot down because they think they’ll never be good enough.
YES! You said it exactly right. Sometimes it is depressing knowing how many great authors there are out there, but think again. You have the potential to BE one of them, so get working on it! I like my stories and characters because they’re unique, and I can do things with them that maybe no one else has 😀 SO… you can guess what I’m going to do now 😀 Lovely pictures by the way 🙂
You’ve got a really good point there. I actually remember when I finished My Beloved way back when I sat there and thought to myself, “I could never be as good at telling a story as this girl is”. Haha. But I also realized somewhere along the line that it’s my writing and it really doesn’t matter what anyone thinks about it, because I like it (Well, most of the time :)!
Also, I’ve gotten all of those career suggestions too. Except when I get the model one I just flutter my eyelashes and say, “Ohh, stop it!” 🙂
Awww. Thank you. I’m glad you like your writing (mostly, hehe!). Reading My Beloved now, I wonder how it ever got to be so popular. There are SO many things that need to be fixed… but then, it was a really fun story to write, and it was definitely a product of my love for writing. So, y’know, apparently it showed!
Hehe. I think it’s really weird when people say I should be a model– I’m not tall enough OR in good enough shape, and my features aren’t exactly what one would call modelesque. It’s a flattering compliment, though. And most people think I’m taller than I really am because I wear heels most of the time.
Well, that’s okay if there are things you want to fix. The important thing is that the story you wanted to tell got across to me. It was one of those stories that really stuck with me, you know? I wish there were more stories that I read and get so into.
I’ve actually been meaning to ask, what kind of music did you listen to while you were writing it, or did you listen to music at all? I listened to Muse while listening to it, so now every time I listen to that specific Muse CD, I think of My Beloved. But I’m guessing you probably didn’t write it to Muse. 🙂
Yeah, I don’t get it when people tell me I should be a photographer. Honestly, I am horrible at taking pictures.. I just have a camera that takes really good pictures no matter how shaky my hands may be! Haha.
I listened to… Pandora. Mostly sort of… epic instrumental music from various movies. And Muse, actually…I did listen to some Muse while writing it! (I love Muse) But mostly instrumental soundtracks from various random movies.
I couldn’t agree more! While my passion isn’t writing, I think this can apply to just about whatever it is a person wants to thrive in. Thanks for the inspiration 🙂
It definitely does apply to any passion that a person has. You have to do what you dream of because you love it, or… it’s just not going to be as good. 😉 You’re welcome! Thank you for reading.
I won’t! I’ll stay away from good books! Just kidding. 😛 That totally goes against your point. I’m learning to be okay with the fact that I can’t be a Robin McKinley. Recently, only because my best friend started writing (Yaay!!) we discovered I’m really big on dialogue. I mean, I knew this, but it became pretty evident when she went 700+ words with no dialogue and then stopped because she had to write a conversation. Then I started writing a chapter in the middle of a conversation and got frustrated when I realized it would be good to show *where* the conversation took place. 😛 I didn’t get past one word without a quote! Hehehe. But yes, it made me feel a lot better since she reaaally struggles with dialogue, and I feel that that’s my strong point.
Haha! Well… I like you better than Robin Mckinley. SO there.
That was something my friend and I were talking about– I also get stuck on dialogue between certain characters, while she gets stuck when she has to describe things. (Heh, I used to get a lot of criticism because I had the tendency to over-describe.) Hehe. Isn’t it nice to know that you’re not the only one who struggles?
Awww!!! Coming from you, that means the world to me. 🙂 Several fantasy worlds. 😉
Yes, it is!! That’s the main reason why I post whatever I can. I *could* write for myself because no matter what it’s in me to write, but I prefer to have feedback. It’s not as enjoyable to me unless others enjoy it as well. 🙂
I love having feedback as well. But I think… I just love writing no matter what. The most fun I have is when the plot is unfurling under my fingers, and I get to a certain anticipated point (like the 23rd chapter of SIA)… I get really excited.
YES!! Aaaah, or when some sudden burst of inspiration hits you and you finally realize why a character is behaving the way he/she is because some part of their history is revealed that you never thought of before and it feels so amazing!!
That was a really amazing post! I agree with you, everything you said is true. I’m not that much into writing (read: I suck at writing!) but I loooooove books and I read books since…forever, so I can appreciate when a writer is his self. For example, I really like your writing. When I start reading your posts, I just can’t stop until I finish. Seriously! This is amazing and I actually think that if you hunt your dream, you could easily be history some day 😀
And about the outfit, it’s really gorgeous! The glasses are of course awesome and they make the whole outfit more sophisticated. Your skirt is awesome and I’m so drooling over your top! The back of it is stunning and seeexy! 😀 Beautiful earrings and shoes as well 😀
Haha, aww… thank you. Really, this post applies to any passion– do it because you love it, and don’t let anyone shoot you down!
Hehe, thank you. I didn’t realize that the tie in the back was all droopy until I took pictures. Ohhh well. This skirt is like… the favorite on Chictopia. It’s so funny, every singe time I wear it, it’s all people ever comment on. 😉 It’s so easy to wear, though, because it’s got all the different colors in it. 😀
Completely inspirational and completely true. As most things though sometimes knowing is not enough, we need to realise the true worth of what has been said before we can pass that hurdle of believing it!
No, I don’t count plagiarists. They don’t even write it—they just copy and paste. 😀
Anyway, thank you for this encouraging post! I definitely need it. I’m rarely satisfied with my writing, but I do so enjoy the writing process. Someday I hope to come up with a plot that I actually feel is worth trying to publish. But until then, it’s good to remind myself that as long as I write . . . why should it matter how it turns out? I’m writing for me. I’m enjoying it. It doesn’t matter if I don’t like the story, as long as I like writing it.
27 Comments
Asia M
I completely agree and couldn’t have said it better! As a fellow writer, that is also my philosophy.
Mara
Hahaha! My blog thinks you’re spam.
😀
*ahem* Anyway. Yeah, it actually… to some point, it bothers me when writers don’t have the… guts, I guess, to write for themselves and not for anyone else. I mean, I definitely understand the desire to be like a certain author, but… being me, I want to write like *myself*. I don’t really like being compared to other authors (when someone told me I’m like Nicholas Sparks, I cringed. Well… after I googled him to figure out who the heck he was…)– not to say I’m not flattered if I am compared to a good author– because I like being unique. (And special. Just like everyone else. 😀 )
But mostly, I wish people would realize that they need to follow their dreams because it is THEIR dream, and not get shot down because they think they’ll never be good enough.
Emily
YES! You said it exactly right. Sometimes it is depressing knowing how many great authors there are out there, but think again. You have the potential to BE one of them, so get working on it! I like my stories and characters because they’re unique, and I can do things with them that maybe no one else has 😀 SO… you can guess what I’m going to do now 😀 Lovely pictures by the way 🙂
Mara
Thank you. I was wondering how they’d turn out (sunshine+glasses=glare?) and thankfully… my glasses don’t seem to reflect the light too much.
As for the writing… yeah. Write for yourself! It’s the only way to go. 😉
Margaret
You’ve got a really good point there. I actually remember when I finished My Beloved way back when I sat there and thought to myself, “I could never be as good at telling a story as this girl is”. Haha. But I also realized somewhere along the line that it’s my writing and it really doesn’t matter what anyone thinks about it, because I like it (Well, most of the time :)!
Also, I’ve gotten all of those career suggestions too. Except when I get the model one I just flutter my eyelashes and say, “Ohh, stop it!” 🙂
Mara
Awww. Thank you. I’m glad you like your writing (mostly, hehe!). Reading My Beloved now, I wonder how it ever got to be so popular. There are SO many things that need to be fixed… but then, it was a really fun story to write, and it was definitely a product of my love for writing. So, y’know, apparently it showed!
Hehe. I think it’s really weird when people say I should be a model– I’m not tall enough OR in good enough shape, and my features aren’t exactly what one would call modelesque. It’s a flattering compliment, though. And most people think I’m taller than I really am because I wear heels most of the time.
Margaret
Well, that’s okay if there are things you want to fix. The important thing is that the story you wanted to tell got across to me. It was one of those stories that really stuck with me, you know? I wish there were more stories that I read and get so into.
I’ve actually been meaning to ask, what kind of music did you listen to while you were writing it, or did you listen to music at all? I listened to Muse while listening to it, so now every time I listen to that specific Muse CD, I think of My Beloved. But I’m guessing you probably didn’t write it to Muse. 🙂
Yeah, I don’t get it when people tell me I should be a photographer. Honestly, I am horrible at taking pictures.. I just have a camera that takes really good pictures no matter how shaky my hands may be! Haha.
Mara
I listened to… Pandora. Mostly sort of… epic instrumental music from various movies. And Muse, actually…I did listen to some Muse while writing it! (I love Muse) But mostly instrumental soundtracks from various random movies.
haha! Same here. It’s just a hobby.
Kristen
I couldn’t agree more! While my passion isn’t writing, I think this can apply to just about whatever it is a person wants to thrive in. Thanks for the inspiration 🙂
<3 kris&kel
http://www.krisandkel.com
Mara
It definitely does apply to any passion that a person has. You have to do what you dream of because you love it, or… it’s just not going to be as good. 😉 You’re welcome! Thank you for reading.
Bethly
I love you for this. I sound like that friend. Just like that friend.
And your glasses are fuh-reakin cute. x)
Mara
Don’t ever get discouraged! You have SO much talent. I’d be sad if you quit writing.
Hehe, thank you! I rather love them.
Bethly
I won’t! I’ll stay away from good books! Just kidding. 😛 That totally goes against your point. I’m learning to be okay with the fact that I can’t be a Robin McKinley. Recently, only because my best friend started writing (Yaay!!) we discovered I’m really big on dialogue. I mean, I knew this, but it became pretty evident when she went 700+ words with no dialogue and then stopped because she had to write a conversation. Then I started writing a chapter in the middle of a conversation and got frustrated when I realized it would be good to show *where* the conversation took place. 😛 I didn’t get past one word without a quote! Hehehe. But yes, it made me feel a lot better since she reaaally struggles with dialogue, and I feel that that’s my strong point.
Mara
Haha! Well… I like you better than Robin Mckinley. SO there.
That was something my friend and I were talking about– I also get stuck on dialogue between certain characters, while she gets stuck when she has to describe things. (Heh, I used to get a lot of criticism because I had the tendency to over-describe.) Hehe. Isn’t it nice to know that you’re not the only one who struggles?
Bethly
Awww!!! Coming from you, that means the world to me. 🙂 Several fantasy worlds. 😉
Yes, it is!! That’s the main reason why I post whatever I can. I *could* write for myself because no matter what it’s in me to write, but I prefer to have feedback. It’s not as enjoyable to me unless others enjoy it as well. 🙂
Mara
😀
I love having feedback as well. But I think… I just love writing no matter what. The most fun I have is when the plot is unfurling under my fingers, and I get to a certain anticipated point (like the 23rd chapter of SIA)… I get really excited.
Bethly
YES!! Aaaah, or when some sudden burst of inspiration hits you and you finally realize why a character is behaving the way he/she is because some part of their history is revealed that you never thought of before and it feels so amazing!!
Characters. They’re my favorite. 😀
Mara
Characters are the best. 😀
Demy
That was a really amazing post! I agree with you, everything you said is true. I’m not that much into writing (read: I suck at writing!) but I loooooove books and I read books since…forever, so I can appreciate when a writer is his self. For example, I really like your writing. When I start reading your posts, I just can’t stop until I finish. Seriously! This is amazing and I actually think that if you hunt your dream, you could easily be history some day 😀
And about the outfit, it’s really gorgeous! The glasses are of course awesome and they make the whole outfit more sophisticated. Your skirt is awesome and I’m so drooling over your top! The back of it is stunning and seeexy! 😀 Beautiful earrings and shoes as well 😀
Mara
Haha, aww… thank you. Really, this post applies to any passion– do it because you love it, and don’t let anyone shoot you down!
Hehe, thank you. I didn’t realize that the tie in the back was all droopy until I took pictures. Ohhh well. This skirt is like… the favorite on Chictopia. It’s so funny, every singe time I wear it, it’s all people ever comment on. 😉 It’s so easy to wear, though, because it’s got all the different colors in it. 😀
shreejacob
Completely inspirational and completely true. As most things though sometimes knowing is not enough, we need to realise the true worth of what has been said before we can pass that hurdle of believing it!
You look cool with your new glasses!
Mara
Thanks!
Avra-Sha Faohla
No, I don’t count plagiarists. They don’t even write it—they just copy and paste. 😀
Anyway, thank you for this encouraging post! I definitely need it. I’m rarely satisfied with my writing, but I do so enjoy the writing process. Someday I hope to come up with a plot that I actually feel is worth trying to publish. But until then, it’s good to remind myself that as long as I write . . . why should it matter how it turns out? I’m writing for me. I’m enjoying it. It doesn’t matter if I don’t like the story, as long as I like writing it.
Mara
But some plagiarists write in different names. Hehehe.
You’re welcome! I’m really glad it encouraged you. I always enjoy your writing, by the way. 😀
Avra-Sha Faohla
That they do. Yet some plagiarists are nervy enough to include author’s notes from the original author. 😉
Why, thank you! It’s good to hear that despite my doubts people still enjoy reading what I enjoy writing.
Avra-Sha Faohla
Oh, by the way . . . I love the title.
Mara
Hehehe.