Why Am I Loosing Momentum?

This entire process of creating a work of fiction, has been an incredible ride.  A ride full of ups and downs.  Questions and concerns as well as elations and self criticism.  

As an artist, I learned very, very young that when I painted, if I didn't like something, I had to paint over it because someone would find it and think it was wonderful even though I thought it was dreadful.  They say we are our worst critics and there is truth to that, however there is also the understanding I learned the hard way, that once you create it, if ANYONE sees it, then it is open to the critics to review!

There is no way around this.  It only takes one person to see it, to shatter your dreams or give you the wrong influence.  Only one, if you are not tough.

That is why, when your in the editing stages, I feel it is so very important not to go sharing your manuscript with just anyone.  Too many cooks spoil the broth and it is true!  I have lost count of the times I had been all excited with an idea for a painting, shared it, got feedback and then poof, idea wasn't exciting anymore!

I did some research on this and came up with a plausible explanation also.  

There are two reasons.  The first is obvious, the work has been torn apart.  The person looking at the work has made a point of picking at all the negatives or so called flaws and not really done a great job as a critic.  There are people out there who have darker motives for their criticisms and it has nothing to do really with the work at all.  Add to this that we all have our own perceptions and baggage concerning things, so of course you will find your work being picked at.  Once it is out there, everyone is entitled!  

The second explanation has more to do with the idea that comes first.  The stage before anything is created.  This is the one I noticed I fell into since I have had a lot of criticism in my life and now, it isn't a big deal!  However I made the mistake in my youth before I had given it any thought, of sharing my ideas and my enthusiasm with others.

The premise is this:  If you share the idea and are excited, which then excites others, you are giving yourself the reward.  Why do we create anything?  Very few artists I think do it solely for their own personal pleasure, do the work quietly and hide it away.   On the contrary, many artists whether they are visual, literary or even dramatic actors on the stage, all live for the result; the attention, the praise, the recognition.  If you get that from the idea when you share it and it is positive, what motivation do you have to actually do it?  To bring the idea past the idea stage and into reality/something concrete?

I stopped sharing my ideas for this reason, and because of the downer people.  Either way, there was no reason to do it after I did that.

There is also another reason I don't share my ideas.  I will go over that in another blog however for now, suffice to say, my advice to anyone who is not used to criticism or being influenced by others, then keep what you do to yourself.  Choose your editors with care and keep your project to yourself until it is on solid enough ground and your are sure of both your commitment and your ability to handle the critics because I can GUARANTEE you there will be many along the course of your writing or artistic career!

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