Monday, August 8, 2011

Sorry it sucks.

I'd love to make money writing. 

And I'd love to have a secret identity.

An identity that sets my regular self apart from my writing self. In which case, should someone find out about it, they'd be shocked to find out "you're Hero London???"

I'd love to have Hero London and her stories adored by millions of fans. I'd love to pay off my husband's dental school debts with book royalties.

Problem is, sometimes my writing just stinks. And I don't know how to fix it.


I know I have talent. I'd be selling myself short if I didn't admit that. But I also know I'm not perfect. I'd be delusional to claim it.

It's funny though. I'll get lots of compliments and wonderful reviews, all kinds of encouragement and support.

And one or two bad reviews.
And that's all I remember.

"Annoying."
"Contrived."
"Bad characterization."
"Moving too fast."

Of course, it's all meant to help me. But I can't help thinking: This just sucks. Pardon my french. And I want to say "I'm sorry it's awful. I'm sorry I didn't get it right. I'm sorry there's so much imperfection and screw-ups and annoying, contrived scenes that lack motivation and move too fast."

Makes me wonder... what would John Ronald, Jo, Jane, and Jack do?

Probably just keep writing.

10 comments:

Rie Teemant said...

Practice makes perfect, babe, none of us are there yet, so just keep going. Also, remember that any critique that tells you it's "wrong" without pointing to what may fix it isn't constructive and should be put from your mind!

Chess said...

If I could say it better than Marie, I would. But everything I have thought sucks in comparison. ;) Just know that I seriously adore you.

Darci Cole said...

Yep.

Just keep writing.

You know John's stuff didn't get published until he was like, 65 or something. I've never thought myself a very good writer, but I feel like the more I write, the better I get. And I keep asking people for their thoughts too. Take in the ones that help, and push out the ones that don't.

Marie is right. Anything that doesn't help you improve is just lame. Forget it.

You're awesome.

La la said...

All will be well my friend.

Dani said...

As long as you still enjoy doing it... who cares what anybody says? Do it for YOU! If it's becoming a chore or feels like an obligation, take a little break. When you get back to it, you'll be better then ever! (Or watch a motivating movie, always works for me!)

Unknown said...

I think all the good stuff has been said (which I totally agree with) so I'll just send my love <3 <3 <3 <3

Serene is my name, not my life! said...

I suddenly felt like I was back in my art classes. What would they call it now? Oh ya, "constructive criticism".

Yea, it didn't make me feel better either.

But that's right! Keep at it!! You really do have talent!

Carrie said...

Oh, I know how easy it is to critique ones self, especially if you have actually been critiqued by another. But that's what writing is all about. That's why God made pencil erasers and backspace bars (He did, didn't he?)

I always wanted to be a published author growing up (heck, that would probably be cool now, too;) But there also came the point when I had to think about the fact that I might not get paid for it. And would that be okay? I realized that yes, it would be...and I still want to do it.

My Grandmother was a writer (published!) as well as my Dad. She got SO MANY rejection letters and he just got his first book published just recently (he's 58). It's part of how this line of work goes... and that is okay!

Keep writing. You are very good.

KC said...

Have you seen the movie, "My girlfriend's boyfriend"? It's about a writer. It's on netflix instant and it made me think of you. okay--stupid I know...just cause it's about a writer--uhHHh yeah. Well anyway my sister's friend wrote the book and its cheesy, but not bad and has mormon actors in it.. the ending is pretty good...so you should watch it if you havent already

jen said...

Keep hanging in. Every experience you have and every word you pen will make you a better writer. Never, ever, ever give up. xoxo