Maybe that's kind of "click-bait-y" but I've just been wondering more and more about writers who are afraid to pull the trigger on their work or share it for this fear that they're not good enough. This idea that self-publishing is plagued with "crap." I just wonder, in the grand scheme of things, does it really matter? Does everyone have to be super-awesome at writing? When does it stop? When do you reach the point when you're good enough?
Is it fine to be happy with your current ability and just try to continue to learn as you go? Or does this constant need for perfection and fear of being "lumped in with the crap" keep writers in this stasis they can't break free from.
It's like publishing is based on fear. Fear of rejection, fear of being ignored, fear of not being read. It's like everything always seems cloaked in fear. However, thankfully, there are bright spots on the internet that always encourage writers to do the "seat work," research, and you'll find yourself getting better and better.
For me, I think there comes a point in every writer's life where you have to decide you're good enough. That you feel there is segment of the reading population that will like what you're selling. Of course this doesn't mean rush everything and put out rough work. It just means working to the best of your ability with your current skill base and hopefully getting assistance from people (paid or otherwise) that can help you smooth out the edges.
So, yeah, it matters if you suck. You obviously don't want to be seen as a poor writer, but I do think there needs to be a point when writers just bite the bullet and say, "I'm as good as I'm going to be at this moment" and do their best to get their work out into the world.
As an aside, in 2013 I lost several things in my life. I won't go into details, but it opened my eyes how quickly life can change. So since then, I've tried to be the best writer I can be every year I'm alive. If that means I suck some years, then so be it. Of course I don't want to suck, but I do want my work to be read. If that means pissing off my inner editor, who screams at me every moment that "You're not good enough yet" (he's been doing that since 2002), then so be it.
I hope some of you can piss off your inner editor more often. 100 percent non-suckage may be a pipe dream. But you can be 100 percent you and I believe that shines through.
Is it fine to be happy with your current ability and just try to continue to learn as you go? Or does this constant need for perfection and fear of being "lumped in with the crap" keep writers in this stasis they can't break free from.
It's like publishing is based on fear. Fear of rejection, fear of being ignored, fear of not being read. It's like everything always seems cloaked in fear. However, thankfully, there are bright spots on the internet that always encourage writers to do the "seat work," research, and you'll find yourself getting better and better.
For me, I think there comes a point in every writer's life where you have to decide you're good enough. That you feel there is segment of the reading population that will like what you're selling. Of course this doesn't mean rush everything and put out rough work. It just means working to the best of your ability with your current skill base and hopefully getting assistance from people (paid or otherwise) that can help you smooth out the edges.
So, yeah, it matters if you suck. You obviously don't want to be seen as a poor writer, but I do think there needs to be a point when writers just bite the bullet and say, "I'm as good as I'm going to be at this moment" and do their best to get their work out into the world.
As an aside, in 2013 I lost several things in my life. I won't go into details, but it opened my eyes how quickly life can change. So since then, I've tried to be the best writer I can be every year I'm alive. If that means I suck some years, then so be it. Of course I don't want to suck, but I do want my work to be read. If that means pissing off my inner editor, who screams at me every moment that "You're not good enough yet" (he's been doing that since 2002), then so be it.
I hope some of you can piss off your inner editor more often. 100 percent non-suckage may be a pipe dream. But you can be 100 percent you and I believe that shines through.
Last edited: