Problems with confidence?

[Alex]

I wasn't sure where to post this, but does anyone else ever have the problem of thinking their work isn't good enough?

 

[TWErvin2]

You can only do the best you can, knowing that the more you study, pay attention and write, the more your writing will improve.

When you read, read a novel the first time for pleasure. Then, the second time (and third), pay attention to how the author told the story--why things worked. Pay attention to dialogue, pacing, caracterization etc. Take notes or mark passages for reference. Learn from those experiences as you write, and incorporate those techniques, incorporating them into your writing style and storytelling method.

It takes time and effort and can be hard work, but sometims that is what writing is.

Hang in there and good luck, and remember--no story ever published was perfect, and I've never come across an author that didn't think they couldn't have done something with a published novel better. Still most believe they did the absolute best they could at the time.

 

[JCFarnham]

I think we all do at one time or another. Often being so close to the work we artist have trouble seeing it for what it is rather than for its percieved bad points. Now, I doubt I could change this impluse in myself so I just tell myself to man up. Maybe I'm not good enough, maybe I am, but either way I still need to write more and practice more, I'll never stop learning. To this end the doubt seems kind of pointless and only serves to stop you from getting better.

Perhaps at some point in a writers career they hit their stride and become comfortable... I don't think I ever want to be comfortable with my writing, I'd rather have something there hounding over me forcing me to try harder

 

[Alex]

Well right now I'm reading a song of ice and fire. Wow, a really good example of medieval fantasy. I guess I'll just keep reading modern examples of fantasy and use them as a springboard for my projects.

 

[JCFarnham]

Well right now I'm reading a song of ice and fire. Wow, a really good example of medieval fantasy. I guess I'll just keep reading modern examples of fantasy and use them as a springboard for my projects.

I find myself totally unable to read a good book and not attempt to somehow capture the magic it instilled in me. Plus if you read lots then you know the market right?

 

[Anders Ämting]

I wasn't sure where to post this, but does anyone else ever have the problem of thinking their work isn't good enough?

Well, something like that, I suppose. I consistently believe myself to be a better writer then I actually am, and I am vexed to find that my writing is not quite as brilliant as I know it should be.

Which is not to say my writing isn't really, really, really, really good. It's just that my complete lack of humility keeps me from appreciating that fact.

 

[Queshire]

I didn't read the other posts in this thread, too long and so on, so I appologize if someone else gave this advice.

YES you are going to think your stuff is crap, any creator will inevitably think there stuff is crap. I heard a saying once, I'm not quite sure how it goes, but it's something like you only see how high the mountian is once you seriously start to climb. Because you seriously write, you know how much you go.

However, you can take solace in the fact that there's a good chance you're better then at least SOME of these so-called "writers" nothing gives you a confidence boost like reading some of the bad fan fiction out there.

Now admittedly, this advice actually comes from my webcomic creation efforts, whenever I doubted my artistic ability I could just tell myself that I'm a hell of a lot better then SOME of the webcomic artists out there.

Hope this helps! But really I think I just rambled so I doubt it.

 

[Benjamin Clayborne]

Yep! If you think your own work sucks, then at least you're aware of it, and can make it better.

If you don't think it sucks, then it probably does suck.

 

[eternaldream24]

I often have doubts about my writing, but I think that's a good thing. If we all thought we were perfect we'd never want to improve our writing. I've learned not to be so tough on myself, but to also trusts my instincts. If I write something that just doesn't seem right I change it. Also, try asking some honest people their opinion on your writing.

 

[Devor]

The truth is, it takes a long time to become a good writer, and you're going to be doubting yourself until you get there, possibly even afterwards. All you can do is look at your doubts, look at your work, and fix it or keep going. If you can't find the source of your doubts, talk to people and look harder. Read more, write more, and try to fix things. That's the only way you'll get better.

 

[Lord Darkstorm]

I read an article once that talked about someone receiving one of the great yearly awards for a novel, and someone asked the author how they did it. In which the author replied something like..."I don't know, but if you figure it out would you tell me. I'd like to do it again."

 

[Kaellpae]

I read an article once that talked about someone receiving one of the great yearly awards for a novel, and someone asked the author how they did it. In which the author replied something like..."I don't know, but if you figure it out would you tell me. I'd like to do it again."

I've heard that quote as well, and now it's going to bother me until I find the source.

 

[Arianna]

I am definitely my own worst enemy when it comes to my writing. I think its a good and bad thing, in one sense its good to critique your work and great to challenge yourself. But I have learned not be overly critical the goal is to find a balance. Always challenge yourself to be a better writer. The only way to improve is to practice, so if your first novel doesn't turn out so well you can always write another and look at the first as experience. A about two months ago I began writing my first novel and its been amazing so far. There are times when I want to rip my hair out though, because I get so frustrated and feel like its not good enough. There are other times when I want to cry because I feel like I have just created something magical. Its an uphill battle for sure, but stay positive and keep writing.

Arianna

 

[MAndreas]

Oh man, you hit the nail on the head with that question, Alex. I've read blogs of authors with 20 or more published novels saying they STILL sometimes think their works sucks. I think it's the nature of our chosen beast as writers. But, as others said on here, all you can do is become the best writer you can. Finish the book, edit it, edit it again, edit it a few more times, send that sucker out into the cold cruel world...then start a new one. And know that most folks who NEVER think their work sucks, most probably won't make it in this business.

 

[Caged Maiden]

Hmm.... Maybe it's the devil's advocate in me, but I'm pretty critical of myself, but also pretty proud of what I can do. I'm no teacher, nor have I any credentials or authority to instruct someone on writing, but I could share something which has really helped me to improve.

My experience and the things I choose to write about are things I have lived (with a little fantasy and exaggeration thrown in for good measure and entertainment value) and that makes me sort of confident. I say if you need a confidence boost, try writing short things, scenes maybe, about things you've lived. Nothing beats drawing on real memories to help you set a scene. Think back into your history and pick out a couple things that might be worth writing scenes about (it can be totally mundane, just add the fantasy).

Once you get used to writing based on real memories, it's easier to create completely made-up scenes that sound very convincing.