Writer, or not, a lot of people feel that way. It comes from placing too much value on the opinions of others. I suppose there are circumstances where one has to do that, as when one is seeking a job, a promotion, or a friendship, but it always changes us just a bit, and it can be detrimental to one’s creativity as we become someone we are not in order to gain favor. I, personally, feel it is always better to “be yourself” because your real self is going to show up eventually. Oscar Wilde is credited with saying, “Be Yourself. Everyone Else Is Taken.” I feel that is good advice.
Even Stephen King has experienced this dilemma. I read that in his autobiography and guide to writing, called a memoir on writing, he experiences the same feelings in the back of his mind he’s not sure if he measures up being a horror writer.
Totally identify. Plus I use AI extensively and am told that is not writing. Ok, I’ll buy that. I create books. Peter Demantis in his new book describes me as a Centaur, half man half AI writer. I like this definition.
That's happen to me before. People have their own agenda's and mostly look for validation...and enjoy tearing someone else apart. So, use friends or family particularly who are into the same genre as editor more or less. As for a.i., I don't trust it. To be a good writer, you have to be a good reader, so read books similar books to evaluate your writing in comparison.Here are a few books on general writing I recommend:
1) The only Grammar Book You'll Will Ever Need by Susan Thurman
2) Show, Don't Tell by William Noble
3)Conflict, Action & Suspense by William Noble
4) "SHUT UP" He Explained by William Noble
5) The 28 Biggest Writing Blunders by William Noble
6) Don't Murder Your Mystery (24 Fiction Writing Techniques) by Chris Roerden
Just want to say, for anyone who is into non-performative reading and in search for a community- our book club would be more than happy to have you!!😉💌
Club sounds elitist, like the chess club that didn’t want me, or the FFA without any acreage to plow…can we each find one other writer and a table? We just might find another Steinbeck or Dostoyevsky, or discover we are just that!
I view publishers as hostile printers with an agenda of profit above all else and literary merit is not a factor in whether they want to publish one's work.
Nagging doubts about your unworthiness are the medium in which creativity produces good stuff, you can no more get rid of it than you can make fire without oxygen. Look at Uncle Donnie, never had a moment of self doubt in his life.
Writer, or not, a lot of people feel that way. It comes from placing too much value on the opinions of others. I suppose there are circumstances where one has to do that, as when one is seeking a job, a promotion, or a friendship, but it always changes us just a bit, and it can be detrimental to one’s creativity as we become someone we are not in order to gain favor. I, personally, feel it is always better to “be yourself” because your real self is going to show up eventually. Oscar Wilde is credited with saying, “Be Yourself. Everyone Else Is Taken.” I feel that is good advice.
Yah, as a four, I can definitely say I’ve felt this my whole life, honestly just knowing it’s normal for fours is a cure- for me at least
Spot-on, Stan. You describe me well and we’ve never met.
Even Stephen King has experienced this dilemma. I read that in his autobiography and guide to writing, called a memoir on writing, he experiences the same feelings in the back of his mind he’s not sure if he measures up being a horror writer.
So true
Totally identify. Plus I use AI extensively and am told that is not writing. Ok, I’ll buy that. I create books. Peter Demantis in his new book describes me as a Centaur, half man half AI writer. I like this definition.
That's happen to me before. People have their own agenda's and mostly look for validation...and enjoy tearing someone else apart. So, use friends or family particularly who are into the same genre as editor more or less. As for a.i., I don't trust it. To be a good writer, you have to be a good reader, so read books similar books to evaluate your writing in comparison.Here are a few books on general writing I recommend:
1) The only Grammar Book You'll Will Ever Need by Susan Thurman
2) Show, Don't Tell by William Noble
3)Conflict, Action & Suspense by William Noble
4) "SHUT UP" He Explained by William Noble
5) The 28 Biggest Writing Blunders by William Noble
6) Don't Murder Your Mystery (24 Fiction Writing Techniques) by Chris Roerden
Good Luck!
Thanks for this list, I'll look into some of these.
I really enjoyed this exceptional piece of writing.
Loved it...❤️
Just want to say, for anyone who is into non-performative reading and in search for a community- our book club would be more than happy to have you!!😉💌
You can read some of mine if you like, YouTube fkjhdsr7gik or TeamEnFil
Thank you for sharing!! <3
Bullshit. I’ve gotten into every club I’ve ever wanted to enter.
Club sounds elitist, like the chess club that didn’t want me, or the FFA without any acreage to plow…can we each find one other writer and a table? We just might find another Steinbeck or Dostoyevsky, or discover we are just that!
I view publishers as hostile printers with an agenda of profit above all else and literary merit is not a factor in whether they want to publish one's work.
I suppose this is about learning to persist and form your own press.
:)
Heard that do not stop 🛑
So the next bet thing to start your own
Such a good piece.
Like Groucho?
Nagging doubts about your unworthiness are the medium in which creativity produces good stuff, you can no more get rid of it than you can make fire without oxygen. Look at Uncle Donnie, never had a moment of self doubt in his life.