An except from my writing journal over the past few days:
Sunday- This plot is too difficult to write. Too many characters and they all have their own agenda. Need to ditch the story.
Monday- Forget what I said yesterday, I LOVE this book. It's amazing. It's brilliant. It's my best writing EVER!!!!!!!!!!
Tuesday am- What was I thinking? This is all crap, crap, crap.
Tuesday pm- (after rereading supposed horrible last scene) So maybe this is workable. Give me about 257 more drafts and kill off a few characters, I might be able to pull this baby off.
Sound familiar?
We all have that internal critic telling us how horrible our writing is. (Okay so maybe YOU don't, but I sure do) But if you ask me, that's really not such a bad thing. Because that critic is what makes me a stronger writer.
The important component is balance. It's being able to identify my weaknesses while at the same time believing in the beauty of my story.
18 comments:
Loved this! So true about our work. But yes, finding that balance . . . that's the trick, for sure. :)
I have more mood swings with my writing than I did when I was pregnant. :P
Great point about balance. Fortunately awesome CPs can help us with that.
This also goes on in my head.
I also take it one revision phase at a time--believing that I can improve a manuscript--or else I'll loathe everything I write.
You are so right, Christy. Writing brings lots of mood swings! That's why they make chocolate, right?
Hah! So true! I just wish all these revelations could be more spaced out. Anyone who's not a writer thinks my yo-yo emotions are totally mad!
OMG, you write books, you write on several blogs AND you write in a journal. Amazing! (And maybe a little bit crazy.) Can't wait to read one of your books someday. :)
Love this--sosososo true!!
Great point about balance! :)
This sounds like you've been eavesdropping on me! :)
But yes, take it one revision at a time. That's the only way you can finish anything.
Good luck!
Ha ha! I love it that I'm not the only one here. Good company, you all are.
Very well said! I'm exactly the same way - it's definitely a love-hate relationship.
Yes, either it's wonderful or it stinks. Balance is right -- we have to remember that it'll be wonderful if we can get the stinky parts off. :)
Great point! And I love the idea of keeping a writing journal -- the contrast from one day to the next is crazy, like your entries showed. Nice post!
Oh that old back and forth, back and forth. Sometimes as writers we need to take Dramamine.
Sounds oh, too familiar! Now did you also write down what you were drinking each day as you journaled? Coffee, wine, double shot of vodka...
Very true. There are days I think, "Why did I just write THAT?" and others "I can't believe I wrote that. That scene is awesome."
As long as there are some awesomes in there!
Sounds about right!
I think there should be a magic 8-ball for writers that only gives 2 answers: you're a genius and you suck. Then we could just shake it and have it done with.
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