I’m deeply immersed in crazy time at the moment. ‘What is this crazy time?’ I hear you ask. Having delved into game development, the crazy time comes in many forms. The strongest source is the incredibly steep learning curve. I might’ve spent nine years in the animation industry, but that was a while ago and many things have changed since. I’ve had to learn new programs, new ways of doing things, and whole new concepts, like reflection maps, light probes, animator controllers, programming…The list goes on endlessly. And if it’s not the learning-new-stuff struggles, it’s the standard-stuff struggles every artist, writer, creative has to face—like, did I achieve the goal I was reaching for in this scene? Did I capture the right mood? …and on and on.
The struggles can become a heavy weight and, if left unchecked, will trigger those all-too-familiar doubts. So how do I push through? I look back at how far I’ve come and am amazed at how the old issues are no longer a struggle. There will always be new issues, new struggles, and there will always be those standard struggles that are a normal part of the creative process. The only way through, however, is to keep going. Don’t let the struggles defeat you. Celebrate what you have achieved, have a modicum of faith in yourself that you can get through, and know it’s worth the angst in the end.
What are you struggling with at the moment? How do you push through?
This post was written for the Insecure Writer's Support Group. We post on the first Wednesday of every month. Yes, I’m a little early but I’m sure you will forgive me. To join us, or learn more about the group, click HERE.
I’d like to thank
Crystal Collier for ‘
The Very Inspiring Blogger Award’. You are a darling!!
I’ve also written an article for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group website, about
why writers shouldn’t substitute reading time for watching TV and/or movies. I’d love to see you over there.
76 comments:
Nope, the cat doesn't forgive you for posting early, just so you know lol
Very true, always be new struggles to get past
The Cat is tough!
We do need to take note of how far we've come. Most of my writing issues I now have a handle on and I'm working on the new ones. (All right, there are a few old ones I'm still working on!)
And bummer, I like my movie time...
Yes, there are always struggles, but it's cool that you're learning new things too.
I recently went back to re-edit my series for the boxed set, and I was amazed at how I've grown as a writer. (And cringed at some of the older stuff.) The new struggles will continue to come, but that just forces us to grow.
Just think what a sense of achievement you'll have when you master these new skills, Lyn. Have a great month. :-)
Believing it will all be worth it in the end is so important. Thanks for the reminder! :)
I haven't been able to write much this summer, because right now I'm struggling with my move to a new state and all the hassle that comes with it. It's ended up costing me thousands of dollars more than I thought it would, which is why I feel like if I wrote anything now my characters would spend a lot of time worrying about money.
Good for you for stepping out. Learning new things is always a wonderful challenge, it's what makes life interesting.
As for the struggle. For me it's all about revisions. It's taken me nearly a month to get the first two chapters of my next novel just right. Three crit partners told me the same thing that was wrong with it and I had to figure out how to fix it. I think I finally have it, which means from this point forward it should be a bit easier.
Best of luck with learning the new programs! Right now I feel as though my biggest struggle is school. I start up again in a few weeks, but my last summer class left me feeling a bit defeated. Hopefully getting back into the swing of regular-length classes will help.
Loved this: "The only way through, however, is to keep going. Don’t let the struggles defeat you."
So true. The struggles are an everyday thing. Except for those marvelous days in the zone where everything gels. I live for those!
It's SO easy to let the struggle defeat you, and make you give up (any of us). But it'll be totally worth it when you reach the end, the top of the mountain, and you overcome it all!
All your hard work is certainly inspiring:) I'm mainly struggling to get my next batch of rewrites to my publisher by the end of the week. Things would go smoother if my newborn gave me a little more sleep;)
I'm sure it's all very complicated and you're inspiring by learning your way through it. You probably wouldn't enjoy it so much if it didn't continue to be challenging.
Susan Says
There will always be more to learn and more ways we can improve, so it's great to celebrate our accomplishments along the way.
I'm not surprised. Cats can be like that, but I'm okay with that too ;)
Ha, there will always be something to work on to improve.
Movie time is okay as long as you add reading time as well!
It's fun and frustrating at the same time.
It's good to go back to the older work for that very reason. Often we have no clue how far we've come.
It's challenging but well worth it.
I hope it helps
I hope you settle in quickly. Sometimes life just has a way of taking over for a while.
Congrats on getting the first two chapters right. That's never easy. I've done so much rewriting and I'm sure I'll do a whole lot more.
I'm sure the fresh start and the regular-length classes will help.
oh my gosh, I love those days too. Think I need one of those days soon... ;)
Achieving those goals we set ourselves is the best thing.
hehehe newborns are unlikely to offer you more sleep, so best wishes for getting the rewrites done through the haze.
I definitely wouldn't feel the sense of incredible achievement without the challenge.
It's so important to celebrate those successes.
I'm so intrigued by what you do, Lynda. I have no idea how you go about developing a game. BTW, how's the hair grow-out doing? That's always so sloooow and often frustrating. Have done it a few times, so I speak from experience.
You're an inspiration! All that hard work. Looking back and seeing how far I've come helps me too.
sounds super scary. I hate learning anything new computerwise :)
You are a testament what a woman with inner strength can accomplish. Proud to know you. For me it is attempting a marketing plan and shoving my shyness to the back burner. Wish me luck :-)
Anna from Elements of Writing
At every stage I notice some things are easier for me, but there's always something new to worry about, although I have more confidence to overcome things. Great IWSG post.
Some days I feel like I have no idea how I go about developing a game too. Maybe one day I'll write a post about exactly what is involved. As for the hair..urgh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's driving me crazy. I forgot how curly it got when it grew even slightly longish. I have permanent bed head now. Hopefully I can push through and not get so frustrated that I chop it all off again.
Thanks so much, Christine. It's incredibly hard work.
Yeah, I'm with you. I think I'm insane attempting this, especially since technology and I don't mix well. BUT it's been amazing and fun (and of course frustrating and scary).
I hadn't thought of myself as having any inner strength, but I guess that is what it takes to get through. Some days I'm stronger than others ;)
Best wishes for your marketing plan and pushing that shyness aside. I know you can do it!
That confidence goes a long way.
"reflection maps, light probes, animator controllers"??? Techno-talk is totally foreign to me. LOL
Last month I had four pieces published in different e-zines/online journals, so that has boosted my confidence a bit...
Congrats on all the new stuff you've been learning. That's exciting!
I always tell my learners that learning never ends and that I'll go to my grave learning new things...
Happy IWSG Day, Lynn!
Congrats on the many things you have accomplished especially since they all sound so difficult. The pressure to perform and "be the best" can be too much and weigh you down. Good advice to appreciate what you *have* accomplished so far.
The hardest times in life are the ones where we grow the most. Keep at it Lynda. You're rocking it!
I'm looking forward to the day when "pushing through" is only for special big projects. It's all I seem to do now, but I keep doing it.
Good post.
Sorry to hear about the steep learning curve. I'm sure you're doing a brilliant job, though.
Looking back is a great way to see how far you've come. Sometimes when you're looking at the difficulties ahead you forget about what you've already overcome.
Things are beginning to turn around for me. It was a rough year of little inspiration and motivation. Great post, Lynda. Thanks.
I struggle with being overwhelmed, still trying to figure out the way though it, Despite struggles it sounds as if you have a handled on it, Best of luck and less struggle lol, Very inspiring post,
Juneta @ Writer's Gambit
As long as we keep learning new things, we keep growing as a person. so enjoy it while you can. BTW, have you ever mentioned what type of game you're currently working on?
Yeah, a lot of that techno talk was foreign to me too not so long ago. Now they are essential elements to get right.
Congrats on your latest successes!
yeah and striving for perfection can also slow you down way too much too. Nothing gets finished!
So very true! I'll keep that in mind...
We keep doing it because we know it's worth it in the end.
I honestly think it's essential to occasionally look back and celebrate.
Yay for things turning around for you! I hope it all continues getting better.
One bite at a time, one baby step at a time. It's the only way to stop that overwhelming feeling.
Not here, I haven't, but if you'd like to know more about what I'm working on, you can check out my post here: http://www.xandory.com/archives/category/adventure-games
Hi, Lynda,
We must always keep an open mind and LEARN. Once we close our minds, we no longer exist as a creative being.
I admire your ambition to GO FOR IT... Congrats on your success.
I always push ahead. I am in the process of fine tuning my novels for submission for a consult I won at the SCBWI in LA... SO excited...
Very inspirational post and I think I will go look at some old stuff and, hopefully, see the progress I have made. Moving back into a field after an extended absence is very challenging, but if you made it back there is a chance something about that field makes your happy cup full. Good luck from an IWSG blog hopping friend.
I use my procrastination skills to put off thinking about my doubts and fears until I've finished the thing I'm working on. :-D
so exciting!! Best wishes for the consultation and future submissions!
I know exactly how challenging it can be to return after a long absence...not just in the art field, but also in the writing field. Best wishes for getting back into it.
lol. It's good to know the procrastination skills aren't going to waste ;)
Now see, if only I could procrastinate JUST the doubt part. Somehow, I can't compartmentalize enough for that. I force myself to sit in front of my dag-blasted computer; blip beating like my heart, until my writing time is up. And good or bad, something shows on the page. Bravo to you, Lynda, for being so tech savvy to learn new programs. Technology moves too fast for me.
Stay the course. It's a slow transition from short to longish. Oh, and yes! Tell us about game design. I'm fascinated.
The curls are getting worse! But I'll hold out a bit longer...
There are so many aspects to game design, I'm not sure where to start... hmm, challenge accepted.
Sometimes that's the only way through--to force yourself to keep going whether it's good or bad. At least then you are producing something. Plus, I've said it before and I'll say it again: No writing is wasted writing.
Oh, and how about some virtual cheese to keep you going?
Did I achieve the goal I was reaching for in this scene? Did I capture the right mood? I know what you mean, Lynda. Sometimes, though, we're struggling with the technical stuff to the extent that it makes it difficult to be as creative as we wanted to be. Do you know what I mean?
A sharp vintage cheddar would be lovely right now...
Blue!!!!! And yes, I know all too well what you mean (she says as she's pulling out her hair while bending her mind to those technical issues).
What always annoys me if when they reboot a program and delete some of your favorite options in the process. HAR!
Yeah, I can so relate to that one. I prefer an older version of Word, but there's no going back...only marching forward in the name of progress.
That's a lot to techno jargon that is way over my head, but it looks challenging. The learning curve is steep, but the greater your reward will be. I just noticed you've written an article on why we shouldn't watch movies or television in lieu of writing. Dang! Just when I'd convinced myself that deconstructing movies was considered research for plotting my novel. Oh well, I'm off to read your article. Congratulations on mastering "Crazy Time," and best of luck. Looks like a lot of fun.
Deconstructing movies can be fun, and is most effective if you want to write screenplays, but the pacing in novels is very different. Hope my article helps.
Thank you for this, Lynda. I agree. Any writing displays the consciousness of the writer, ideas of the writer, movement in thought--forward, we hope--of the writer. Good or bad, just like technology programs for me, forward motion is key. Thanks again for your thoughts on this.
It's an important form of expression which is necessary for us creative types. I love the way you expressed it: the consciousness, ideas, forward motion of the writer. Beautiful.
In the name of progress... (tears rolling down my cheeks)
mine too :(
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