Does this happen to other people?

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[Blackdragon]

So I'm cruising along, two chapters away from done. Most of my revisions are done. I might even get done before my deadline.

And suddenly I am overcome with the paralyzing fear that it is complete and utter CRAP! No one will ever want to read it ever ever ever. And if any one does it will become a by word for inept, badly plotted  rambling.

I am actually quite pleased with it when I reread it but then these thoughts creep in. And it never happens when I am working. I had stopped for the day and was giving the toddler a bath, and all it once I thought why am I bothering. why don't I just use my laptop to beat myself senseless instead.

So is anyone else periodicaly ceased by random crippling self doubt, or am I just being super neurotic?

[sparrow125]

Well if you're neurotic I guess I can join the club.  I think everyone has moments like that. Especially if you've just put your blood, sweat, and tears into something, your worst fear is going to be that noone will like it and that despite all your hard work it just sucks.

For the record, if you've put a bunch of work into it I highly doubt it sucks. Usually the people who write the most crap are the ones that think they're the World's Greatest Author. 

Good luck with your writing (and your toddler ), I hope it all works out for you!

[noctuary]

So is anyone else periodicaly ceased by random crippling self doubt, or am I just being super neurotic?

One. EVERY writer is neurotic. Hence why would they think they could write?
Two. It's perfectly normal to be a neurotic writer
Three. Without that...it's pretty boring stuff to read. Ever read an article in a journal of medicine that was written in bland words with stats and drawings and lots of  these===>%%%%. Boring.

You can hear those words of doubt.  But it's not an excuse to stop what you are doing. Listen to them. See if they warrant any valid attention and then let them move on.

Doubt should be the catalyst to push yourself forward out of mediocrity. It's not a bench to sit on. Know what I mean?

[Vella Malachite]

So is anyone else periodicaly ceased by random crippling self doubt, or am I just being super neurotic?

Gods, yes.  I recently refused to look at one of my (completed) pieces of work for a few months, because I simply didn't believe it was likeable enough, sophisticated enough, appealing enough, whatever.

It's probably normal.  It's a good thing and a bad thing, I guess.  For one, it stops you becoming overconfident and thus never improving, but on the other hand, it's horrible when it happens, am I right?

What finally got me back onto that particular novel was my friend, who I'd asked to illustrate it, gave a picture of a character he'd had heaps of trouble with to me for my birthday a couple of weeks ago, and I thought "Well, if he's put in all the effort, I can't just say I'm not doing it anymore.  Besides, it wasn't that bad", and decided to push on.

Hope comes from random places.  Be thankful when it happens, and you'll weather the bad times well.
Good luck, and I hope you do well!

[treekisser]

So is anyone else periodicaly ceased by random crippling self doubt, or am I just being super neurotic?

Probably the second, but I have the same neurosis.  Not sure it's completely random though. Usually happens after I've either been working really hard (and the little voice goes, 'it's crap! you spent all that effort for nothing! your life is a waste!') or been rejected (same voice, extra-loud).

[Star]

So is anyone else periodicaly ceased by random crippling self doubt, or am I just being super neurotic?

My standard response to finishing a draft of almost anything is pretty much, "Whew, I'm so glad that's done, and proud of myself for finishing.  But MAN IS THIS EVER CRAP."

I've found that distance helps.  Nearly everything looks better a couple of months down the road.  I think when I'm in the midst of writing it, all I can see is "this isn't how I want it to be", and it's harder to evaluate whether the writing might actually work even if it's not exactly what's in my head.  After a few months, I'm not in that headspace anymore, so I'm a little more able to look at it objectively without immediately just reacting to my preconceptions of what it should be.

Or something.

[HeartShadow - Cutethulhu]

I am well known for screaming quite loudly while editing, "Who WROTE this CRAP??"

It's even worse when I send things out the door to publishers.  Once it's *out* I just KNOW it's the most tripe-filled crap that anyone's ever seen and my best hope is that they don't associate the name to the current project, which of course is the most brilliant piece of fiction EVER.

I currently have to rewrite the last chapter of a novel, because the original?  Crap.

I sincerely hope it's normal!

[Blackdragon]

Well if you're neurotic I guess I can join the club.  I think everyone has moments like that. Especially if you've just put your blood, sweat, and tears into something, your worst fear is going to be that noone will like it and that despite all your hard work it just sucks.

Thanks guys, It helps to know its not just me. Its just been worse lately because it is come near the end.

Which means I have to suck it up and try to sell it.

Which means (gasp) I will have to let people ( pause to hyperventilate ) read it. Big scary step for me.

[Vella Malachite]

Which means (gasp) I will have to let people ( pause to hyperventilate ) read it. Big scary step for me.

Good luck!  I'm at almost the same stage with one of my stories - I'm giving it to close friends and family to get an idea of what I need to fix and what they loved, and it's kind of creepy, exposing a story to the wider public.

But again, good luck, and I'm sure they'll love it!

[Blackdragon]

Good luck!  I'm at almost the same stage with one of my stories - I'm giving it to close friends and family to get an idea of what I need to fix and what they loved, and it's kind of creepy, exposing a story to the wider public.

But again, good luck, and I'm sure they'll love it!

Thanks for the good luck wishes.

This last week I have been researching literary agents. My husband and the friend currently living with us find this very entertaining.

They like the web sites where the agents have posted pictures. My search is frequently interrupted by shouts of, "Used car salesman" and "Spray on tan!"
And most recently "Now there is a man who spends his Saturday evenings killing hookers"

So far they have ignored the suggestion that the could be just a little more helpful by shutting up.

[alleyesonazarath]

So is anyone else periodicaly ceased by random crippling self doubt, or am I just being super neurotic?

I always feel depressed and have self doubt about the quality of the stories I write, and I write a lot... But then again, I usually write stories about men bitten by beached whales, and when the moon is full they turn into sperm whales with bat wings and can breathe fire!

When in doubt, just think of the stuff I write, and if yours is better than that, I think you'll do ok. 

[sparrow125]

I always feel depressed and have self doubt about the quality of the stories I write, and I write a lot... But then again, I usually write stories about men bitten by beached whales, and when the moon is full they turn into sperm whales with bat wings and can breathe fire!

When in doubt, just think of the stuff I write, and if yours is better than that, I think you'll do ok. 

 

I totally want to read that!!!

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