Apr 3, 2010

Wannabe Writers #10

Wannabe Writers is my weekly meme. It's a writing group for the un-published and anyone is welcome to join. It's a place where future authors can ask questions, share stories, and get feedback. Click (here) to find out how it works.

Where I am in the writing process: I'm about 40 pages into my current WIP and still trying my best to keep up with the 50,000/50 Writing Challenge. Today makes day 22 (I think) and my progress stands at about 11,300 words.

My current problems: Wondering if I'm wasting my time. Wondering if I'm a good enough writer yet. I know little things are improving but I still don't know if the overall plot is interesting enough, paced right, believable. I have critique partners but even they sugar coat things.

My question this week: How do you know when you're good enough?

16 comments:

Swimmer said...

Hi!!
Just posted and wanted to tell you I love this meme I look foward to it every week!

Amanda said...

I gave a long answer to your question on my blog so I won't repeat it all here, but in general don't give up. The first novel you write most likely will suck, but finish it anyway. Novels take time and practice just like anything else. It doesn't matter if you're good enough. It matters that you keep going. If you keep going, you will eventually be good enough whether or not you are now.

Charity Bradford said...

I've been following for a while and thought I should post something to let you know how much I like your questions. They help me slow down and think about where I am in this process.

The last few months have taught me one important lesson: The only thing it takes to be "good enough" is perseverance. The 1st, 2nd, maybe 6th draft may not be good enough. But if I believe in the story and continue to fine tune it, I will make it good enough. Each effort I put in improves my writing, teaches me something new, and that has to be enough.

Good luck and don't give up!

Robin M said...

I agree with Amanda. Keep striving for perfection and in that quest, will discover what's good enough. Long answer on my blog. Thanks for the interesting questions.

Laurel-Rain Snow said...

You just have to keep going! I have five published novels, and I ended up going the self-publishing route. But what gave me some confidence was that I had a publisher with whom I contracted...but due to their financial issues, I moved on to another path. But having them choose my work gave me the impetus to keep going.

I don't know which publishing route I will take this time, but thanks to this challenge (50,000 words in 50 days), I am moving along and creating words and pages!

Anonymous said...

LOL @ Amanda's "The first novel you write most likely will suck..."

I also read Stevie's you have to keep on practicing. It's like anything else I guess. We have to keep on keeping on. :)

Roland D. Yeomans said...

How do you know when you're good enough?

You don't.

You must carefully choose your beta readers and trust the majority report from them.

Don't accept the maxim that your first novel will suck. Refuse to believe that your work will be inferior. If you go into a fight, thinking you will lose, guess what? You will lose. You can be a great writer. Right here. Right now.

If you're a perceptive individual, your second novel will be better. That is a given.

And following your dream is never wasted. Your heart grows if nothing else. And a larger heart is a blessing to all who cross your path.

Have a healing week. Roland

Bookish in a Box said...

How do you know when you're good enough? You don't.

You give it your best shot, hope that it falls into the hands of someone who loves it as much as you do and enjoy the journey!

Hannah said...

Just think that you're the only person who can tell your story...your way. Keep writing, keep challenging yourself and pretty soon you'll look down and smile with pride and say "Hey, I wrote that."

It will happen. At least, that's what I keep telling myself. ;)

Anonymous said...

I don't think you ever know when you're good enough. But you can take comfort in knowing that others do. :o)

sarah darlington said...

Great advice! Yes, I love when I read something I wrote and surprise myself, that's got to be the best feeling.

And I guess the biggest thing in being a writer is being persistant. Never quitting. If I can outlast my own doubts then maybe I'll get published one day.

:)

Anonymous said...

I love the Wannabe Writers meme so much! :D

Anonymous said...

I love the Wannabe Writers meme so much! :D

S. A. Soule, Creativity Coach said...

You'll know when one day everything comes together.

First you get other writers to give you feedback that isn't sugar-coated. Those kinds of partners don't help but hinder you. Better to hear it from them then get rejected over and over...IMHO

porcelaine said...

As you know I've had my share of doubts and have discussed them in my updates. But I'm learning to go with the flow. I visualize a bonsai and accept that there are different ways to achieve a goal. When the negative thoughts arise I'm able to dispel them by focusing on the root rather than its projection. Attacking what I'm afraid of dispels a lot of jibberish in my head. I know you can do the same. :)

Sam McCall said...

This is my first time participating in this meme as I just found this blog. I have been writing on and off for years and years but have recently gotten it into my head that I need to and want to desperately publish. I hope I am good enough but I can never be sure and you are right. Friends/writing buddies can sugarcoat big time.