In TWO PART INTERVENTION: A STORY OF A MARRIAGE, Madeleine L’Engle tells about her early life in the theater where she met her husband. During this time, she knew an actress who every time she thought she had a bad performance, actually did well, and every time she thought she had a stellar performance, performed awfully.
She said it was a good lesson for her as a writer. As
artist, you never have true objectivity about your work.
I think about this every time I get a critique
on what I write. I am often shocked by what is working as much as what is not.
I don't have a lot of objectivity.
Most days I vacillate between thinking my book is horrible to thinking it's the best thing I've ever written.
How do I know that I'm getting anywhere?
How do I know that I'm getting anywhere?
I rely on my wonderful critique partners to be that
objective eye. At least with this book, I didn't need to write it all over. And the query letter was easier to write. So perhaps, I am getting closer.
And also, I try to trust that when I’ve feel like I’ve done my
best, I have. Even if it’s not perfect.
The Insecure Writer's Support Group was started by Alex Cavanaugh (CASSASTAR, CASSAFIRE, CASSASTORM).
You can find more links at http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html
The Insecure Writer's Support Group was started by Alex Cavanaugh (CASSASTAR, CASSAFIRE, CASSASTORM).
You can find more links at http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html
I hear you, Jenni. About half way through every book I'm convinced it's all crap. Thank goodness for my critique group and their objective (and kind!) eye or most of my stuff would have ended in Delete!
ReplyDeleteNancy, that's exactly how it is for me too. It seems like with the first draft I'm pushing through self-doubt just to finish. Then once I'm done, it doesn't seem so bad.
DeleteObjectivity is a great way to see through all the crap. CP's and Assistants who are objective are even better.
ReplyDelete---Greetings from a February IWSG Cohost.
Thanks for stopping by, Sheena! Yes, I don't know what I'd do without CPs!
DeleteCPs and beta readers are wonderful. I'm like you. I have my days when I think I'm brilliant and others when I think I'm horrible. It's too hard to be objective about our own writing.
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm so glad to here I'm not the only one! :)
DeleteThis is so true! Especially after becoming famialiar with your own style and words, it's easy to get lost in what works and what doesn't.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree. I tend to get caught up in the little things and miss the big picture issues. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteMy first completed mystery, I loved and I loved writing it. It was well received and I was ready to write book two. I had a lot of misgivings during writing book two and really worried if my readers would like it. They did, some even told me it was better than the first. But I still have that little knot in my stomach...LOL!
ReplyDeleteAh, Donna, that's interesting to hear! It's so hard to know when to trust yourself as a writer.
Delete