Short post today, but seeing as it is the first Wednesday of the month I wanted to make sure I posted something for Insecure Writers.
My writing insecurity today ... I have a writers group tonight (I always look forward to going to these!) and I've submitted the second draft of chapters 1 & 2 of my novel. I think it's a lot better than my first draft, but I never know what my writing group is going to think.
Many times they point out things I've missed--which is why I attend a writers group--but sometimes when I think my work is really good, it surprised me when it hasn't resonated with others. This makes me insecure because how do you know when your work is actually good, and good enough to send out to an agent and/or publisher? I suppose there is no black and white answer for this.
So off to writers group I go tonight for some great discussion, and socialization with people who share my same interest. It will be good night no matter what, even if my work is not good enough.
I know that feeling! Sometimes, it's a real kick in the head when you think you have something really good and someone else tells you that, well, it's not all that great.
ReplyDeleteThis is the reason I won't let my wife read any of my first drafts....lol.
The good thing is, though, it can give you a different perspective, maybe one you haven't thought of.
You don't have to take everything they say as the gospel but, be open and maybe you'll see something in a new light?
Best of luck!
Thanks, Mark. After being in a writers group for over 7 years I've learned to be a lot more open about critiques, and my group is actually right 99% of the time. I love getting the different perspective. Still a bit nervous to go to writers group thought today ... lol ;)
DeleteYou're right- we do have the same topic! I wish I had a writer's group that I could participate in. Having other objective insight is soo helpful. What I've learned from my beta readers has helped me take another step in the right direction.
ReplyDeleteHave a writers group is so valuable to me because it gives me a different perspective on my work. When I first started looking for a writers group in my community there weren't many, so I formed my own. The group sort of evolved from there :)
DeleteAh yes, I often wonder if my work is actually good. Things I'm not sure have worked, people love; and the stories I loved, other people don't seem to like so much. I take as much advise and criticism as possible and decide what bits I agree with.
ReplyDeleteI'm constantly worried my writing isn't good enough. If I ever do manage to get published, I'll probably still worry!
ReplyDeleteI think in all forms of art we worry that what we have created may not be good enough, and it's because we care so much about the product. You see it on those reality tv shows about cooking or dressmaking and I'm sure it's the same for poets and sculptors. When we write we use our imagination - we transfer ourselves onto the page, so when we worry that it's not good enough, sometimes we're worrying that we're not good enough.
ReplyDeleteBut critiques are also from a person's heart and it's their way of helping us reach our potential. You don't need to measure your work against anyone else's, just against the best you could be doing. Enjoy the critiques and let your work grow :)
I relocated to a new state in the last six months and a few friends back home, as well as my husband, all encouraged me to join a meet up group for writers to "make new friends", but I think my biggest insecurity is just the simple act of sharing with others. I flat out said I was not interested. I think you're inspirational just for being a part of a group that you allow to not only read, but critique your work. Putting yourself out there is hard... and for me, being more active in the online writing community is the first step. As for thinking your writing "isn't good enough", the only advice I can offer is to keep in mind that all art, even writing, is subjective. Just because someone doesn't like it, doesn't mean it's not good... there's someone out there who will love it... so maybe you just need a bigger audience.
ReplyDeleteGood luck and now that I've joined IWSG, maybe I'll see more of you around the blogosphere! :-)
Thank you for the encouragement!
DeleteI know how you feel...I don't belong to a writers group but I do have times when I thought I wrote something well yet the critique for it doesn't come back as positive as I'd like. It's times like these that I remind myself that this is my work, story and characters and once I've gone through it again if I still don't feel I should change it then I don't. :)
ReplyDeleteIWSG
Thank you everyone for the fabulous comments!
ReplyDeleteHey, now--you are good enough! But I hear you on not believing it. Falling into a place of insecurity can really be a hard thing to dig your way out of. Just keep reminding yourself that your work IS on par and that sometimes when insecurity strikes it makes it seem like everyone is better than you. That's just insecurity speaking! You ARE just as good as the next guy!
ReplyDeleteOoh, that feeling is so frustrating - you finally think you've written something good, but no one reacts with much excitement.
ReplyDeleteHere's hoping they loved your latest submissions!