Do you admire your own work?
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| Good for you! We agree! |
I know a lot of writers who tend to downplay their work, speaking about it with a sort of humility that seems awfully put-on to me, as if they're trying to draw attention to themselves by saying, "Look at me, how humble I am, so you should really like my work because if I didn't mention it already, I'm very, very, very humble about it."
Then I know others who just really don't seem to think they're any good at writing. It's one thing to acknowledge that there are other writers better than you, but to constantly live in what seems to me like a state of self doubt about your abilities is (at least in my opinion) counterproductive.
If you don't think you can write well enough to be published, then why do it? Find something more fun to do that involves less work.
So, all that to say, yes, I do admire my work. I think highly of it (too highly at times, I'm sure). I know there are writers who are more successful than I am, and probably a few too who are better at the art and craft of writing stories, but I also believe my work has what it takes to earn some money for publishers and delight and excite readers, plenty of them.
In fact, and I'll state it emphatically here and now -- I believe I'm one hell of a writer. If I didn't, I'd go back to Starbucks and give up on the dream.
And you know what? I think when you read my work, you'll think I'm one hell of a writer too. That's why I put my reputation on the line by putting the work out there for you to see.
I freaking LOVE the stuff I have written.
ReplyDeleteI write a kickass book. lol.
That doesn't mean I don't read THE ROAD by Cormac Mcarthy and feel like a second-grader trying to write a thesis paper....but at the end of the day I am right there with you.
I think I am a helluva good writer and can tell you a good story.
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ReplyDeleteI've had stories sent to me to read along with emails that go something like this: "I know this isn't very good..." and as soon as I read that, I stop reading. If you don't think it's any good then why are you asking me to waste my time reading it? I dislike that kind of game playing, reverse psychology felgercarb. I also don't like talking with writers who are continually putting down their own work or constantly repeating how crappy a writer they are. If you think you're that bad a writer and that your work is terrible, then why are you trying to be a writer?
ReplyDeleteMyself, I have no problem saying that I can tell one hell of a good story and I don't ask anybody to spend their money or their time on anything I write unless I think it's worth it.
"I don't ask anybody to spend their money or their time on anything I write unless I think it's worth it."
ReplyDeleteAgreed, Derrick.
You too, James.