Oh, you know him too? Thats Charles Liebowitz Jr, also known as Sucky Chucky.
Actually, I called mine Rupert the Cave Troll. Not so much an anti-muse as a writing inhibitor in general. He sits on my chest and makes me feel like i shouldn’t write today, and that I dont have anything worthwhile to say. He tells me that smarter people have already said what I want to say and that trying to do what they already did just makes me look like a johnny-come-lately tryhard.
A lot of times i’ll have good ideas but because Rupert is sitting on me I just can’t write it out.
Honestly, the best lesson I have learned is that its ok not to write. Sometimes im not feeling it. If i give myself permission to wait then when Rupert goes away I almost always have a flurry of energy. But i used to get into the trap of panicking when Rupert visits and trying to get him off and get him to go away. The best antidote is to ignore him. Be happy doing something else. He leaves on his own.
Hopefully sucky chucky leaves on his own too. I hope things are looking up for you, and I am looking forward to your fiction on Saturday!
Generally speaking, I think there are many writers who want their work to be admired, even if not widely read. I certainly want readers to enjoy what I write and hope a larger number will over time. You're certainly not alone in the sense that we all let doubt creep in through various forms. Mine doesn't come in the form of an anti-muse, but more that I feel an overbearing desire to create and leave something of meaning behind.
Also, you should know you're a good writer, and know how to formulate a story that holds interest. I wouldn't have asked for your editorial advice otherwise. It's okay if some stories or books don't resonate with everyone. That doesn't take away from your craft. You're doing great, Meg, and I'm sure many of your subscribers agree.
Aw Meg, you wear your heart on your sleeve and that’s what makes your writing so compelling, so irresistible. Fuck that guy. Laugh in his face. Keep at it. There’s a deep emotional truth in the way you write and you’re going to nail it (even more than you’ve already nailed it).
I've never had an anti-muse, but there are strands of psychology that suggests that externalising those negative thoughts is a good thing. Honestly, if I conceived of my own (occasional) self-loathing as a separate person I think I might get even more stuck in my own head.
The dartboard thing is a good idea though, have you thought about a punching bag as well?
I don’t have any super creative names at the moment...all I have is Brock. 😅 He looks like a Brock (and a prick) to me. (Sorry to all the decent Brocks out there, but I’ve never met one.) I don’t often say this, but I’m with you - fuck that guy!
I hate those lows, and I hit them, too. On average I still hit them once every couple of weeks. I’ve gotten better about getting over the lows quicker, too. Maybe at most they’ll last a few days now?
I once wrote a halfway decent manuscript (or so I thought) and had it torn to shreds. I mean absolutely ripped up and burned to bits. The reader didn’t have a positive thing to say about the book. I’d be lying if I said it didn’t mess with my head. It sucked. I threw in the towel for a solid six months, maybe longer. But then I said...you know what...fuck it. And got back on the bike.
At this point I’m just trying to write stories I enjoy. Substack feels like a perfect space for me to take chances and play around.
You are hands-down one of my favorites here. Almost instantly. Stay the course, Meg! You are insanely talented, and I look up to you!
Oh, and let me know if you run out of ammo. I’ll gladly supply more to keep that jerk at bay.
I was told to give my inner critic/blabbermouth a voice, one that I wouldn’t take so seriously. So I gave him Gilbert Gottfried’s voice and it worked like a charm.
I'm woefully, and chronically, behind on my reading, but I'm so glad I finally made it to this!! Your writing voice is so strong, even when you're writing about your anti-muse. I have no name ideas, but as for the picture of him, the crocs got me!
Writing is such a wonderfully terrible pass time. The highs are extra high, and the lows can be extra low. But there's something about the act of writing that always pulls you back eventually, I think! Kick Mr. Hoverboard in the knees and carry on, Meg because I love reading your stories so much!
I have/had a nemesis but her name was/is Deb. This guy looks like a Stanley. It’s good to know self-doubt is universal. It’s a horrible feeling, though. The irony is that your writing about self-doubt is proving that you are a great writer. I had tea spout from my nose when I read, “You haven’t been hot since college.” I usually play a few of my favorite, uplifting songs when my nemesis bothers me. One of my favs is the theme from Dragon: the Bruce Lee story.
I think “rants’ are some of the best posts. Thank for the invitation to share some links: the first post links to a few basic book marketing posts and then two of my favorites - my rant on naysayers in the form of the Poseidon Adventure movie and a podcast interview with Book Marketing guru, John Kremer.
I finally got around to reading this! You are so candid and transparent, and your writing feels like the biggest ode to how isolating creating and writing can feel. I relate (oh so well, mind you) with that. I have no name for this hoverboarding prick... But, by God, I've never seen the words "anti-muse" before - and now, I can't imagine him being known as anything else. I've also never considered that all my naysayers could be summed up with two goddamn syllables, holy hell. Anyways, screw that douche (metaphorically, of course). You're as talented as they come, Meg! ♡
I do. It hasn't reared its head with my writing yet (but it will if I keep seeing "how to grow your substack!" posts) but with my craft based business it tells me all the time that no one wants what I sell, no one reads my blogs, there's no point putting anything out there because it already exists. It's crushing but absolutely no one has ever said anything of that nature to me. I hate my brain sometimes.
Oh, you know him too? Thats Charles Liebowitz Jr, also known as Sucky Chucky.
Actually, I called mine Rupert the Cave Troll. Not so much an anti-muse as a writing inhibitor in general. He sits on my chest and makes me feel like i shouldn’t write today, and that I dont have anything worthwhile to say. He tells me that smarter people have already said what I want to say and that trying to do what they already did just makes me look like a johnny-come-lately tryhard.
A lot of times i’ll have good ideas but because Rupert is sitting on me I just can’t write it out.
Honestly, the best lesson I have learned is that its ok not to write. Sometimes im not feeling it. If i give myself permission to wait then when Rupert goes away I almost always have a flurry of energy. But i used to get into the trap of panicking when Rupert visits and trying to get him off and get him to go away. The best antidote is to ignore him. Be happy doing something else. He leaves on his own.
Hopefully sucky chucky leaves on his own too. I hope things are looking up for you, and I am looking forward to your fiction on Saturday!
Generally speaking, I think there are many writers who want their work to be admired, even if not widely read. I certainly want readers to enjoy what I write and hope a larger number will over time. You're certainly not alone in the sense that we all let doubt creep in through various forms. Mine doesn't come in the form of an anti-muse, but more that I feel an overbearing desire to create and leave something of meaning behind.
Also, you should know you're a good writer, and know how to formulate a story that holds interest. I wouldn't have asked for your editorial advice otherwise. It's okay if some stories or books don't resonate with everyone. That doesn't take away from your craft. You're doing great, Meg, and I'm sure many of your subscribers agree.
I can relate to that. I'm right there with ya.
Getting pretty good at darts too.
Aw Meg, you wear your heart on your sleeve and that’s what makes your writing so compelling, so irresistible. Fuck that guy. Laugh in his face. Keep at it. There’s a deep emotional truth in the way you write and you’re going to nail it (even more than you’ve already nailed it).
Jasper Flustercuck
Jacque De Manure.
I've never had an anti-muse, but there are strands of psychology that suggests that externalising those negative thoughts is a good thing. Honestly, if I conceived of my own (occasional) self-loathing as a separate person I think I might get even more stuck in my own head.
The dartboard thing is a good idea though, have you thought about a punching bag as well?
I don’t have any super creative names at the moment...all I have is Brock. 😅 He looks like a Brock (and a prick) to me. (Sorry to all the decent Brocks out there, but I’ve never met one.) I don’t often say this, but I’m with you - fuck that guy!
I hate those lows, and I hit them, too. On average I still hit them once every couple of weeks. I’ve gotten better about getting over the lows quicker, too. Maybe at most they’ll last a few days now?
I once wrote a halfway decent manuscript (or so I thought) and had it torn to shreds. I mean absolutely ripped up and burned to bits. The reader didn’t have a positive thing to say about the book. I’d be lying if I said it didn’t mess with my head. It sucked. I threw in the towel for a solid six months, maybe longer. But then I said...you know what...fuck it. And got back on the bike.
At this point I’m just trying to write stories I enjoy. Substack feels like a perfect space for me to take chances and play around.
You are hands-down one of my favorites here. Almost instantly. Stay the course, Meg! You are insanely talented, and I look up to you!
Oh, and let me know if you run out of ammo. I’ll gladly supply more to keep that jerk at bay.
I was told to give my inner critic/blabbermouth a voice, one that I wouldn’t take so seriously. So I gave him Gilbert Gottfried’s voice and it worked like a charm.
I'm woefully, and chronically, behind on my reading, but I'm so glad I finally made it to this!! Your writing voice is so strong, even when you're writing about your anti-muse. I have no name ideas, but as for the picture of him, the crocs got me!
Writing is such a wonderfully terrible pass time. The highs are extra high, and the lows can be extra low. But there's something about the act of writing that always pulls you back eventually, I think! Kick Mr. Hoverboard in the knees and carry on, Meg because I love reading your stories so much!
I have/had a nemesis but her name was/is Deb. This guy looks like a Stanley. It’s good to know self-doubt is universal. It’s a horrible feeling, though. The irony is that your writing about self-doubt is proving that you are a great writer. I had tea spout from my nose when I read, “You haven’t been hot since college.” I usually play a few of my favorite, uplifting songs when my nemesis bothers me. One of my favs is the theme from Dragon: the Bruce Lee story.
I think “rants’ are some of the best posts. Thank for the invitation to share some links: the first post links to a few basic book marketing posts and then two of my favorites - my rant on naysayers in the form of the Poseidon Adventure movie and a podcast interview with Book Marketing guru, John Kremer.
https://claudinewolk.substack.com/p/book-marketing-fundamentals-index
https://claudinewolk.substack.com/p/the-poseidon-adventure-lesson-reliance
https://claudinewolk.substack.com/p/book-marketing-with-expert-john-kremer#details
I finally got around to reading this! You are so candid and transparent, and your writing feels like the biggest ode to how isolating creating and writing can feel. I relate (oh so well, mind you) with that. I have no name for this hoverboarding prick... But, by God, I've never seen the words "anti-muse" before - and now, I can't imagine him being known as anything else. I've also never considered that all my naysayers could be summed up with two goddamn syllables, holy hell. Anyways, screw that douche (metaphorically, of course). You're as talented as they come, Meg! ♡
I do. It hasn't reared its head with my writing yet (but it will if I keep seeing "how to grow your substack!" posts) but with my craft based business it tells me all the time that no one wants what I sell, no one reads my blogs, there's no point putting anything out there because it already exists. It's crushing but absolutely no one has ever said anything of that nature to me. I hate my brain sometimes.