Today's the day for our writer's support group, and my insecurities this time around have come full circle. I went from feeling like I'll never be good enough- to I have a great story, it needs more work, but it's still worthwhile.
While it's never pleasant to hear you still aren't finished and what might be wrong with it, it's also equally wonderful to find a cheering section.
I've learned this month how important finding readers are in the process of writing, because after a while, it's hard to see the mistakes. I had looked at those words I had written too many times to know if I was conveying what I had meant to.
One of my writing group partners is a nurse too, and she's far more advanced in her writing than I am. She pointed out that my writing tends to read like a nurses' note. Dry and factual. I'm working at writing in the "fluff", as she put it. Each point has helped me take a baby step in the right direction. Do I think I can be a good writer? Yes. Am I one now? No, but I'm getting there. Thanks to all who have helped, encouraged, critiqued, and supported me along the way!
Hi, Rose,
ReplyDeleteAs with anything else, our writing takes time to develop. As you pointed out, it's wonderful to have critique partners and other writers who can help point us in the right direction. Hang in there.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
Delete"I went from feeling like I'll never be good enough- to I have a great story, it needs more work, but it's still worthwhile." This is awesome. Love this post, HUGS!!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Your support means a lot :) Hugs back at you!
DeleteGreat to see your confidence as a writer growing. Inspiring to read that you have a constructive writing partner as well. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteThanks! And yes, the writing partner I've received has been the greatest gift. She's talented, smart, and patient. Willing to put the time into helping me.
DeleteMy definition of a good writer is someone who is always striving to do better and who is willing to listen to readers so they can improve. So, yes, you are a good writer right now. Someday you'll be amazing!
ReplyDeleteThanks! Words of wisdom and encouragement :) Always a little boost to the day.
DeleteSP said it well.
ReplyDeleteFinding others who can help us be better makes a world of difference.
So true!
DeleteMy writing partner has helped me so much. There's no way I would have noticed the things she has pointed out over the last couple of years. You're probably a better writer than you think you are. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment :) Same here with my writing partner. She pointed out things I would have never caught, and explained them in a way that I can avoid making the same mistake in the future.
DeleteI joined the IWSG yesterday. Man, it's nice to have encouragement. Sometimes the day to day parts of writing can make you feel so foreign from others. And I, too, totally agree with SP.
ReplyDeleteGlad you joined! I'm fairly new too but enjoying the connections. And, thanks :)
DeleteI agree...readers are key! I found my big mistake as I was going through a last round before sending it out to one of my readers. Actually, I'm kind of glad I caught it first!
ReplyDeleteUnderstandable! Since I've just started seriously writing, I actually sent out my first draft to a couple of readers. I know, I know, WHAT was I thinking. Won't do that again, but I don't regret it because I would have never realized how crappy it was.
Delete... and that's what I think I need to do asap... hook up with a writing buddy... and S.P expressed it perfectly!
ReplyDelete(Yesterday, I posted a comment and it disappeared. I think it must have been swallowed by spammer)
Thanks for jogging my memory about the spam thing, I forget to check comments over there! The writing partner is the best gift I could have asked for, and it all came from reaching out to my local writers association.
DeleteHang in there and keep working on your writing. You're right--you will improve and get there someday, of you're not already there now. Learning to write well takes so long, you get lost and forget what you're doing. It really is a tortoise's race.
ReplyDeleteYou said it! And said it well :) I'm in it for the long haul.
DeleteI resisted the "fluff" because I was afraid of making it cheesy, but there is a delicate and necessary balance with it. Glad someone else understands :)
ReplyDeleteMy writing has improved leaps and bounds since finding CPs. I think it's impossible to look objectively at our own work. I have the opposite problem to you - too much fluff in a bad way! Need to pare down especially as it's a thriller.
ReplyDeleteThat's funny! We could probably put together the perfect book. I didn't realize we were writing similar genres either, that's good to know!
Deletemy style is very similar! need to add the sensory details to immerse the reader!
ReplyDeleteYes! My CP was wonderful for this because she pointed out exactly the spots where she wanted to know more. Thanks for stopping in :)
DeleteI have that trouble too . . .I have a tendency to leave out descriptions.
ReplyDeleteYeah! When I see the picture in my mind, I didn't realize I wasn't building that same world for my readers. Still working on it.
DeleteIt's all about practice! Keep at it.
ReplyDeleteYes! Must log the hours to be good at anything, including writing.
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