There are so many questions here about correct this and correct that - from the length of chapters to - just about anything else - that I am now wondering...
What is the "fixation" with getting everything "just so"?
This applies especially at the draft level.
How many of us would write a CV/Resume and expect to get it 100% first time?
Also - why would there be editors, mentors and people to suggest revision if we always got everything exactly as it should be first time - or even 7th time?
Many years ago I did teacher training - fortunately it put me off teaching. One reason that it put me off is that I discovered the principle of "learning to fail" - the idea that there are social parameters that tell us appropriate levels at which to not progress successfully inorder to remain (happily) within our social group.
There is it seems social pressure to "not be stupid" and to "not fail" - but there are also social pressures that in Old language" would be expressed as "do not get above your station" - or in modern terms "don't ge too clever / don't be a geek".
I am certain that these pressures apply to us when we write. I am also certain that they influence or deep concerns about "getting it right" - and - "getting it right first time".
I ask though - why should we put these pressures on ourselves?
Let's get something written - and then sort it out to an improved version... And that doesn't have to be "right" either...
David
I think personally that we are to easy to judge and more than not its the negative that we seem to enjoy more. I also think that our generation have lost that praise for attempting to try to achieve. We think its far better to knock things for the sake of knocking them. I just get such a buzz when ever we get to see some positive news on the telly instead of all the doom and gloom. Its feels better to say a nice comment than a negative and also it gives that person a lift, and inspire them onward and upward.
I hate flying, so I've no idea. Six feet up on the back of a horse is plenty high enough for me and you've not quite reached terminal velocity by the time you hit the ground. That's what it feels like, anyway, even if I'm exaggerating :)
I suppose I could liken it to galloping cross-country, wind in your face, meeting every fence on a perfect stride. Yes - it's great. But I'm the never satisfied type: I could have cut a corner here, gone a bit faster there, etc, etc. If I was a fictional character I'd be Eeyore.
We get a lot of fourth level participants in the horse world ;)
Isn't it great that we are all different in the way we approach what we do. The longer I carry on writing the more I realise that what I do and how it is received is quite subjective in the end. It maybe that no one will want to read what I have written, let alone publish it. Although I have found in recent times when it can be really frustrating trying to get a piece of work right and fit for anybody to view, it still boils down to have I and indeed do I still enjoy writing. The answer is yes. I guess I am one of those people who has to get it down as quickly as possible before I lose it. At least to make sure there is some thing to run with. But thank goodness not everybody is shambolic like me as total chaos could reign.!