FA+
Shop
I'm generally not one to whine, but...
12 years ago
Ramblings of a sexy wolf
Hello, folks.
So I consider myself a pretty creative person. In my spare time, I write short stories. Many of them are tailor-made for a specific person. Recently, a few of my friends have told me to start writing for myself because they feel too pampered. Always one to oblige, I did exactly what they said. The results were less than positive.
I'm a man naturally driven to antagonists in stories. A good story has an antagonist or there isn't a struggle. For instance...
1) I created an evil baron in a pseudo-medieval fantasy world. He is wealthy, uses his wealth to use the latest technology (IE firearms and bombs), and has a little hobby of taking people's most prized possessions. One friend in particular hates this character with a passion because of how heinous he is. This is flattering on one hand because I created a character that can convey hate, and a good villain does just that.
2) Taking place in the Marvel Universe, I created a businessman who happens to be a mutant. He manufactures weapons and sells them to the government for legitimate earnings while he also sells weapons illegally to terrorists. A lady friend of mine hates how he's so laid back and is so difficult anger.
I just feel so conflicted. This is beginning to affect my other writing projects. So frustrating. I'm not sure what to do. I do for my friends and I do good. I do for myself and I do bad. Makes me feel bad on the inside. Being the creative soul I am, it really hurts...
So I consider myself a pretty creative person. In my spare time, I write short stories. Many of them are tailor-made for a specific person. Recently, a few of my friends have told me to start writing for myself because they feel too pampered. Always one to oblige, I did exactly what they said. The results were less than positive.
I'm a man naturally driven to antagonists in stories. A good story has an antagonist or there isn't a struggle. For instance...
1) I created an evil baron in a pseudo-medieval fantasy world. He is wealthy, uses his wealth to use the latest technology (IE firearms and bombs), and has a little hobby of taking people's most prized possessions. One friend in particular hates this character with a passion because of how heinous he is. This is flattering on one hand because I created a character that can convey hate, and a good villain does just that.
2) Taking place in the Marvel Universe, I created a businessman who happens to be a mutant. He manufactures weapons and sells them to the government for legitimate earnings while he also sells weapons illegally to terrorists. A lady friend of mine hates how he's so laid back and is so difficult anger.
I just feel so conflicted. This is beginning to affect my other writing projects. So frustrating. I'm not sure what to do. I do for my friends and I do good. I do for myself and I do bad. Makes me feel bad on the inside. Being the creative soul I am, it really hurts...
Secondly, as this is a hobby something I learnt the hard way is you have to be a bit selfish at times. Granted in my case it was making stuff for modding a game but the same thing applies: you do this for enjoyment and ultimately you have to put yourself first and not worry too much about other people. Us creative types need an outlet. I've mentioned before that I have a DA page under a different name and that not all my artwork is as adult as much of what I have here on DA. I personally feel everyone needs an outlet for their darker side and it's healthy if that outlet is in writing or artwork over say going out and doing something bad to other people. (Not saying any of us ever would go out and do bad things, just an extreme example ^^')
So I wouldn't beat yourself up about writing these darker characters. As for feeling you can't write good when doing for your friends, consider that perhaps the reason you only do bad when writing for yourself is that you're tapped out for good when it comes to writing for yourself and so your ideas go to the bad.
I think I'll stop here as I think I'm rambling a bit now but hopefully some of my nonsense is of help :)