Young Writers Society

The most common question I get as a reviewer of fiction isn't about whether I can review work. Nor is it about grammar, description, or any other common writing problems. No, the question is, "Do you think I'm good enough?"

It's always a difficult question to answer, not because the answer is difficult, but because the question is vague. My answer usually is, "Yes, your writing is good -- all you need to work on is _________ and you can become great."

For some reason, I don't think people take me seriously when I say that. I don't know much about psychology, but what I do know is that there is almost a shy lack of confidence in writers here. For those writers, I have a question:

Why exactly do you write?

Writing is more than just words and grammar and sentence structure and spelling. Yes, those are important too, and I won't deny it, but writing is more than just that. Writing is a way to express the innermost depths of your soul. It is a part of you whether you like it or not. That's why, during a particularly harsh critique, you might feel mad or discouraged. It isn't just your writing that the reviewer is commenting on -- it's you!

But at the same time, it's not quite you. As much as it is a part of you, it also is apart from you. Finally, writing is not what you want it to be -- you really have no control over that -- but what is. Writing is your reality.

Every writer is different. Every one. Each one contributes some part of your soul to another person (yourself, your reader, me, whoever) and allows you to share your thoughts and feelings without surrendering your mind. Whatever you say is, in some way, unique, and if the subject is not unique, then the way you tell it is.

Don't be convinced that you are a bad writer just because you aren't as good as someone here. You are you, and you can't be that other person you admire. Instead, be proud. Don't be afraid to contribute your own work, which is as unique as you are. You don't suck... honest.

I swear, I could kiss you right now.

For the last couple of weeks I've been in doubt as to whether the writer in me was worth keeping alive. It went beyond how much of a hopeless writer I was, and it felt more like the entire process was meaningless and more trouble than it's worth. An hour ago I was on the verge of giving up on the whole jig. Then I read this. Now everything seems clear to me. Anyone that has read the most recent Harry Potter book will be familiar with the concept of Horcruxes - the separation of the soul into multiple parts. It struck me when reading this that the act of writing is not unlike that concept. If writing is your reality - an extention of the soul - then should it not have a certain affinity to you? All the books I've ever read were an extention of that writers soul, and therefore my expectations of myself should not be based around trying to emulate them in my own creations. No, I could never bend my own reality into something else. Therefore, my reality - my soul - are all I have and unable to be changed. Furthermore, I know exactly what to do with them now. Where better to put myself than an extention of myself?

Thanks.

P.S. Sorry for rambling.

Inertia wrote:Anyone that has read the most recent Harry Potter book will be familiar with the concept of Horcruxes - the separation of the soul into multiple parts. It struck me when reading this that the act of writing is not unlike that concept.

But thank heavens that you don't have to kill anyone to write!

Snoink - thanks so much for posting this, it really needed to be around here somewhere... thank you.

Well, you don't have to kill anyone. Certainly makes it more exciting though.

Duskglimmer wrote:But thank heavens that you don't have to kill anyone to write!

What? *Hides bloody knife and whistles innocently.*

Let us all build a monument to Snoink!

...no, I'm serious. I think one of the things that most (all?) writers really lack is confidence. I know I do. I mean, if WE dont think we're good enough, who will? One of the chief problems I've had is not IDEAS...not SKILL (I mean, I'm no genius, but I can write - look, I'm writing now! I mean, duh) but CONFIDENCE. Does anyone know a store that sells it?

Love the Horcrux analogy, Inertia. Wonder if JKR had that in mind when she came up with the idea? Although, personally I think one does in a way have to kill someone to write: the inner critic! DEATH TO THE INNER CRITIC! MAUAHAHAH... 8-[ Aha...yes...its late and I'm tired. So..shutting up now.

PS: Inertia, for what it's worth, I think you're one of the better writers - at least, one of the best poets - I've encountered. So dont give up. Please. That would make me unhappy, and I might have to kill you - ah, kill...someone...

This was great. =P

It's amazing, but if I think about it, I can remember at least one feeling disappointment as I read through someone critiquing my grammar, which shouldn't really bug me since it's all typos. =P I definitely know the reason I am working so hard on my new story is because the people who have given me feedback have loved it and there's definitely more motivation to continue to work on something people like.

But also, Snoink, I think the reason people don't take you seriously is because you follow you're pat on the back with a blow to the back of the head (metaphorically and from their perspective). I can imagine writers might feel that the only reason people tell them they're good is to soften the blow for when they tell them it's all wrong. Which is insane because writers should realize if someone has taken the time to critique it's because they want to help them be better! Even if the critique seems harsh, why would they waste their time if they didn't think you had potential to improve?

Just my two cents.

^_^