Indecision, thy name is Valis

[valis2]

So. I'm definitely seeing an uptick with my craft work. A lot of it is friends and family, which always makes me feel guilty, but some of it is from some advertising I've been doing on FaceBook. I've been really trying hard to actually get out there and do the social media stuff; tweet, blog, and facebook about most of the moves I make. I'm still trying to work out a good ratio where I don't feel like I'm overwhelming people. (There's a ceramics artist I know who literally posts EVERY single Etsy listing she does onto FB. Sometimes it's 15-20 a day, I swear. I don't want to do that.)

Part of this is that I just don't like bringing attention to myself. I also feel like my craftwork is fairly simple and not that amazing, and just about anyone could do it if they had a minute. So I've always been reluctant to talk about it to friends and I feel embarrassed when anyone brings it up. But I just have to get over that. Some people just don't have time to make stuff, and this is how they can get stuff they like, right? I have to keep telling myself this.

Anyway, part of the new strategy is just to be excited about my craft. I mean, I always am because I'm a big geek, but I'm trying to just pour that out into the universe. If people don't like it, then they're just not going to fan/friend/like/glorble whatever I'm doing, and that's great. I don't have to feel guilty about being enthusiastic, right? It's easy enough for people who don't want to hear enthusiasm to avoid this stuff, as I'm keeping most of it concentrated in business social media.

Anyway, the source of my indecision is to Post the Giant Fic or to Not Post the Giant Fic. In a nutshell, the GFic is going to take 14, maybe 15 days to post in its entirety. I can either post it starting tomorrow, or when I come back in late Feb. Let's see...pros & cons...

Posting starting tomorrow: OMG I WANT FEEDBACK and this would get me feedback now. Otherwise, I have to wait another month. Also, I started this fic during this trip last year, so it would come full circle to post it just before I leave for the same trip. However, the fic is not quite done. Just two more scenes, but I'd have to go through and edit the word count later (not a big deal). The biggest problem is that I would be in WI for the last four or five days of posting. I do not like to use someone else's internet to disseminate adult material (hence why I stay off LJ, usually, while I'm gone), and also I might not have a lot of time to go through and recheck stuff and post it. Also, Semagic (where the pieces of the GFic are ready to post) will not let me use an XP machine to post 7 stuff. Also, might conflict with a fest running late in the month, and in a fandom this small, that does matter, at least a little.

Posting starting late Feb: It will be complete, and I might even have time to polish and make it even happier. No feedback until late Feb, though. But then I can post it every day and enjoy the FB as it comes in, instead of hurriedly rushing to the computer and having only 2.6 seconds to check and respond.

I think I'm going to have to wait. Gah, this makes me sad. Overall, though, I think it's the best. So I'm now not-so-indecisive Valis.

Comments

[ms-hecubus.livejournal.com]

The thing about crafting is no matter how simple you think it is and how easy it would be for others to make not everyone can do it. Seriously. There are people who just can't visualize which beads would go with which charm and if something would look better on a gold or silver chain. There are people in the world with zero design sense and even the simplest of crafts will always be in demand because of that. Don't sell yourself short. What you do is not something just everyone can do.

[valis2.livejournal.com]

Aw, thanks, sweetie. You are completely right, of course, but my self-esteem finds it hard to admit it. I just always think, "But they could just make it themselves!" Of course, the point is, they don't always have time or energy for such things.

I'm trying to feel a little less guilty about talking about my stuff and saying it's attractive. And I really should stop feeling so guilty when family & friends buy it; they wouldn't buy it if they didn't genuinely like it, right? That's what I keep telling myself. *nodnod*

*hugs* Thank you!

[ms-hecubus.livejournal.com]

It really is attractive stuff! You shouldn't be ashamed of promoting it. :)

[valis2.livejournal.com]

Aw, thanks so much! I really appreciate it.

[tinx_r]

Wah on waiting, but I think you're right to polish it first. Even though it cost me a great deal to say that because WAH, I want it now.

However, for a fic that's taken you a year to write, you owe it to yourself to post something that makes you entirely happy: not something that you might always feel like you rushed the last two scenes of.

*hugs*

[valis2.livejournal.com]

Wah on waiting, but I think you're right to polish it first. Even though it cost me a great deal to say that because WAH, I want it now.

I know, I am totally wahing all over the place and dragging my feet today. But honestly, I haven't even had time to write much more than 300 words or so, and the last two scenes will be big and I need to just relax and let it go.

However, for a fic that's taken you a year to write, you owe it to yourself to post something that makes you entirely happy: not something that you might always feel like you rushed the last two scenes of.

Exactly! Husband already told me to wait. And while we were talking about it, I suddenly realized that after someone spends so much time reading a 100,000+ story, they want a really good payoff, and I want the last two scenes to rock the house, not make people go, "Oh, that's it?"

Yeah. I think I need to wait. WAH.

*hugs back* Thanks for listening and thanks for the supportive comments--you are so wonderful.

[tinx_r]

I know it's hard to wait... I'm sitting on an 11k fic that I wrote in ONE DAY (not kidding. and no, i have never written 11k in a day before.) because I rushed the end, because i didn't want to leave it hanging and sleep. I *could* post as is and it would be a good fic, but it will be a lot better if i either expand the existing ending scene, or add at least one more scene.

*hugs* can't wait for the giant fic to finally see the light!

[valis2.livejournal.com]

You're making me feel so much better about this, thank you so much!

I hate to wait, and the worst part of it is thinking that I'm hyping it too much by delaying it. I'm just paranoid about everything, you know? I hope it's worth the wait, seriously.

I love reading your stuff so much! Can't wait to read another new story!!

[(Anonymous)]

I'm sure it will be worth the wait :) Your stories always are :)

I hope you're gonna have time to read Up Up & Away, the S&H crossover fic i posted, before you go... I'd really be interested in your feedback.

*hugs*

[valis2.livejournal.com]

Oh, definitely! I can't wait to read it--I have it in my extra tab bar and I will definitely check it out before I go. *nodnod*

[idleleaves.livejournal.com]

I'd be tempted to wait, if it were me. Of course, if it were me, the damned thing would not have been written, because I'm teh_suck at longer pieces. Polishing is good, though, and although it sucks to have to wait you know, at least, that you'll have more time to go over it and make sure it's all just how you want it before sending it out into the world. ♥

Also? Despite what you think about your crafting skills, really, not everyone can do this stuff. I think the same about my own knitting, spinning, and weaving all the time, because yeah, I'm not at all convinced that my work is stunning or original or anything of the sort, and a lot of it doesn't feel difficult while I'm doing it. But non-crafters sometimes look at the stuff and boggle, so that gives me a little perspective. I can knit a simple lace shawl and I think it's a piece of cake and nothing special, but other people can barely do basic dishcloths and think those are difficult.

So, yeah. It's all about perspective, I think. But yes! Be excited about your craft. It's awesome to make things with your hands, and it deserves attention and excitement. ♥

[valis2.livejournal.com]

I am not much of a major polisher, honestly. I'm usually pretty fussy about how I write; I just let it pop out of my head in a narrative flow, and the end result (for most of what I do) just needs a word trimmed here or there, and maybe a clarifying sentence or clause or two. And sometimes I have to change from "he" to "Nick" or whatever to help with confusion.

So the polishing will mostly be to check the major facts and motivations and such. I'll go through some horrible moments where I think none of it makes sense and I've lost sight of the characters, and then I'll put in a new sentence or two and I'll feel much better. LOL.

lso? Despite what you think about your crafting skills, really, not everyone can do this stuff. I think the same about my own knitting, spinning, and weaving all the time, because yeah, I'm not at all convinced that my work is stunning or original or anything of the sort, and a lot of it doesn't feel difficult while I'm doing it. But non-crafters sometimes look at the stuff and boggle, so that gives me a little perspective. I can knit a simple lace shawl and I think it's a piece of cake and nothing special, but other people can barely do basic dishcloths and think those are difficult.

Yes, see, I have to just remember that. I have to keep it in my head. I have very good prices, I have good materials, I know my stuff lasts, and that's got to count for something. People are getting good stuff, right? So there it is.

*hugs* Thanks so much, sweetie, I really appreciate your comment.

[milomaus.livejournal.com]

Uhh, I´d love to read it NOW!
But maybe it will be better if you wait a bit. And even if you post it post trip - it´s still a circle!
Loads of nods for posting it later, because YOU´ll be able to enjoy!!

I´d just love to see some of the things you craft! Would you mind big time sending a link? *big pleading eyes*

But most of all: YAY!!! for finishing the GFic!! I´m soooo looking forward to it!

[valis2.livejournal.com]

I want to post it so badly!!! But I really think I need to wait. The best part of this is that I really should be able to post it immediately when I get back. I think that will be a great happy motivation for polishing it and making the ending great instead of rushed.

And I'll PM you a link. :)

I'm so excited about finishing the GFic!!! omg. I'm at 106,000 words already...