Is it normal to feel this after writing...

[Commonmind]

Different people feel differently after finishing creative work and I don't think any of these feelings, however positive or negative, are necessarily right or wrong. The creative process is a laborious and tiring one, especially on our emotional selves. I find that after pouring myself into my work I often feel completely and utterly drained, and while I do not associate this with a feeling of despair or emptiness, I think they're pretty close to the former on the emotional spectrum.

My advice for you is pretty simple. Much like with your physical self, you need to treat your ailment; do some reading to fill in that hole you've created, get out and talk to some real people to get back in touch with society; take a short break from writing (which is advisable anyway, as it helps with the editing process) and refill that void.

[Tobytwo]

I think also there's the element of looking at the book from the inside-out instead of the outside-in. You see the errors, not the strengths of it. I recently went through my novel looking for mistakes, and found about 100. I asked a friend to do the same just to make sure, and he found 8. For someone from outside to read it and like it is different. Yes, there is a sense of disappointment when you realise it's not perfect, but no book is perfect. Readers don't want perfection either, they want good entertainment and hopefully a bit more, which you may well have created even though you don't feel that way. I hope that helps!

[jeff.s.p]

Aside from not meeting your own expectations.. perhaps there's a feeling of loss? Considering this novel has been with you for a long time, it's final conclusion also concludes your relationship with the lives of these characters.

Can be sad indeed!

[The Curious Orange]

In order to write anything of any length and requiring any sort of long-term commitment I have to simultaneously believe that it's both brilliant, and worth the effort, and utter rubbish, which keeps me revising and rewriting.

I am my own biggest fan and my own harshest critic.

[ctg]

I agree with all your points, they are good, informative and really shows what it really means to be an artist.

Thank you all.


I have decided that the book really isn't that after seeing so numerous replies to the critique pieces, even though my first feeling were that it was crap. I think I felt that way because I didn't think it was as brilliant as some of the extra flattery comments have indicated. I have achieved some form perfection with it as it works on people mind. So my job was well done, and now I need to edit it, and find some way to get bit more money to support my cause.

So I have to say that artists is their biggest enemies, as they never sees the glass half full, but rather half empty. There is always something that an artist can do to make their piece better.

Thank you all. I feel better all ready.

*gives hugs for the ladies and serves beers for the gents*

[Damiynn]

I should have never read this post, lol, I am getting ready to start on the last book in my series, THe Kingdome Chronicles, and I hate to say it, but I might be afraid to end it. I don't know if its wrong to feel bad but this is my first series and when it does end with the first character I ever developed I think it will be like losing a piece of myself.

[ChrisBfla]

How people react to your writing is VERY subjective. There are many authors who became famous even though the writing is pretty bad. I bring up Peter Benchly who keeps recreating his great white shark in different forms, (giant squid, shark-crocidile creature, etc.) You can't really say much about his books (at least I can't) but they sell and have made him millions. (go figure)

If you like it and you think it's good, don't run yourself down. Its just an opinion. I sent out queries to well over 50 agents and publishers on my book and all but one turned it down. The owner of this particular firm e-mailed me saying she couldn't put it down and offered me a contract. It only takes one "yes", to overcome a pile of "no's"

Chris

[Tobytwo]

If you like it and you think it's good, don't run yourself down. Its just an opinion. I sent out queries to well over 50 agents and publishers on my book and all but one turned it down. The owner of this particular firm e-mailed me saying she couldn't put it down and offered me a contract. It only takes one "yes", to overcome a pile of "no's"

Well said, I completely agree. The jump between "going nowhere" and "published" is very small. Out of interest, I found that there was not a particular period where manuscripts were returned with "it's very nice but not what we want" before publication occurred: it was a straight transition from being almost completely ignored to being offered publication.

[ctg]

Oh yes, three agents and one publisher has already turned it down. I was thinking too grand of myself and my writing. I'm no where close being as good as it does take to get published. And I start to realise how stupid it was to believe I can write a novel in a language that's not my native. Still, I keep writing my fifth version and believing foolishly that I can somehow get better. Maybe it will happen, maybe it won't, but certainly it won't happen with my current finished one.

[Scarfy]

I think everyone will find this interesting,

Philip Pullman

Look for What is a typical day like for you? and read the third paragraph.

All writers are human

[WafflesToo]

Originally Posted by ctg

Oh yes, three agents and one publisher has already turned it down. I was thinking too grand of myself and my writing. I'm no where close being as good as it does take to get published. And I start to realise how stupid it was to believe I can write a novel in a language that's not my native. Still, I keep writing my fifth version and believing foolishly that I can somehow get better. Maybe it will happen, maybe it won't, but certainly it won't happen with my current finished one.

"Have faith, for God protects idiots and children. I know it's true, I've tested it on both counts."
Mark Twain

I beleive it's the fools who dare to dream, and nobody ever did anything great without dreaming about it first.