Failing Dream

It is obviously many people's dreams that they will get published and have a bestseller on here....mine too. But then I read books by my favourite authors. And I can't see how my novels will ever get published in comparison to their writing. I think...'Mine is nowhere near the quality of these," and I feel a little sad. Sometimes I just feel downcast about this...I have no other direction in life I'm sure about it, apart from I want it to involve writing, and maybe history.

Pleh, this is more of a ramble. I just want some discussion about it.

I feel the same way a lot of the time. I don't think that my style compares in any way to that of the author's I enjoy, and it's definitely discouraging. But at the same time, I don't think I'm at my "peak" yet... you know? I'm still learning, and my style is still getting better and better. Eventually, if I keep at it and keep developing, I will hopefully get my -own- style. Maybe still not like theirs.

But good enough to get published on its own.

That's how I keep myself writing, anyway.

I sometimes think that, maybe I'm still improving. I look back at stuff I did a year ago and smile. But at the same time their seems such a large gulf between me and getting something published.

There's always a chance, though, and that's what I'll hang on to. I'ts just depressing sometimes.

Think of the worst published novel you ever read. If that can get published, so can yours. Like Engraved in Stone by some lady. A third grader could have come up with that plot! And the ending was so predictable, one could predict it just by reading the bookjacket description. At least I did.

I get the same way sometimes, but then I read a book, and I think to myself "If this guy could get published, then anyone can get published." I think what it really comes down to is learning to market yourself. Making yourself look professional in appearance as well as in how you submit a story goes a long way. Moreover, being absolutely insistent is essential.

You also need to find out what works for you. For myself, I used to always try to write really serious stories, but I'm not a serious person. Switching over to humor has made it a lot easier for me to write a good story, in addition to other mediums.

I know...but like you said, Firestarter, look back at what you did a year ago. It doesn't even compare to the new stuff! And you've got the rest of your life to get published, so how much improvement do you think will be going on? (my stuff from last year is just blecchhh

Hmmmm...

I look back to what I've written a year ago and think, "OMGWTF! I used to write so well!"

That's even more depressing than comparing myself to published writers, because it's comparing myself to me-from-a-year-ago. u_u;

I think I've used up all my creative energy and am receding or something.

Yeah. Sometimes I feel the same way. But if Cythnia Voigt can get published, my dead uncle can as well.

Anyway, before deciding to just go mainstream and get published, you should like try local newspapers and stuff. That's what I'm doing.

Personally, I like Cynthia Voigt.. *cough*

I do the exact same thing.. If I haven't read my story in a while, I have no idea how I'm gonna get published and I think it's crap. But if I read it again, I start thinking it might be possible. And I let some of my friends read a few chapters, and they all love it, so that gives me more confidence.

I know exactly what you mean, Firestarter. I get that all the time, mostly when I look at something I've just written and think *God, that stinks.* and then I get this sinking sensation in my chest and I just KNOW I'm not going to go further with it. I havent actually finished a story (excluding short stories) since I was about five years old. Thats how bad it gets, lol, so be thankful you are still writing. I'm hanging on by the skin of my teeth....

Its always a good sign when what you write today is better than before, though. I just about cry with embarassment when I read my old poems [shudders]