So how do you guys know if you are any good? Do you just trust that little inner voice?
Just so that I don't seem completely whiny, here is an inspirational quote, after all, we can always do with inspiration right?
A coward gets scared and quits. A hero gets scared, but still goes on.
- Anonymous
Hi there! Just found your blog through the Insecure Writers group.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure you'll ever know your writing's great, but I sometimes make myself feel better about my own writing by comparing my work to published authors. You find that the words you use, the sentence construction etc, isn't all that different... so how can you not be good enough?
Goodness, I'm insecure about my writing. When I write, many times I roll my eyes at what I've jut typed out. But I sometimes get into these amazing blackout sessions where I'm writing for hours and I look back later and wonder, Wow, who possessed me during that time?
ReplyDeleteI figure though. These characters, this story in my head. I'm the only one thy knows it, so I may as well write it. Right? This morning, in a bleary haze, the entire story I've been working on completely fleshed itself out for me. (It was 3 am, so I'll have to rework a few things.) Is it awesome? Yes. Will my writing do it justice? That remains to be seen. But who else is gonna write it?
Feedback from other people who I trust to read my stories - or pieces of them - really made me feel more confident. I like to write comedy, so I know if people laugh or smile while reading that I'm doing OK. I bet a writing group or a critique partner would be great for you.
ReplyDeleteI'm insecure in my writing also. How do I know? My critique partners help with that. They know my weaknesses and help me improve on them.
ReplyDeleteLove the quote :)
I share the same insecurity. But every now and then, I read a passage I've written and end up thinking, "Damn! That's good!"
ReplyDeleteAnnalisa - Thank you so much for commenting. That is a great way of looking at it. I have to try it, thank you.
ReplyDeleteRenee - Very true. Thank you for always giving me kind words of encouragement.
Tonja - Thank you so much for the advice.
Donna - Thank you for following my blog. Also thanks for sharing your thought with me.
M.J. - Thanks. I do that too. I guess I just have to trust myself more.
Even if people read what I wrote and say they like it it doesn't mean that I fully believe it. I have to believe in myself just as much and that is really hard.
ReplyDeleteI think if we work hard and ask for help that will get us where we want to go.
Keep writing.
HMG
Same with me. The fact that my writing might not be any good is always an insecurity--but, in a way, it also helps. It pushes me to work at things I know need fixing and hone my skills.
ReplyDeleteI share the same insecurity. I can't say confidently that I'm a talented writer, even if blog readers or critique partners say I am. But I can say confidently that God has called me to write and that's enough to keep me encouraged.
ReplyDeleteHeather - Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThe golden eagle - So very true. Thank you.
Brianna - I feel exactly the same way.
I share your insecurity. I think it's normal, and even healthy, to be unsure of your own writing. It drives us to work and work and edit through four or five cups of coffee, to reach for that goal of a novel worthy of handing out to readers.
ReplyDeleteBut on the flip side, there are times where I'm so frightened that my writing isn't any good that I'll have wasted most of my life aiming for a career that will never happen.
Caitlin - That is exactly what I thought. That perhaps I might spend a ton of time wanting to be a writer but it just was not meant to be.
ReplyDeleteI just have to believe that I am talented at the moment. I just really have to.