Sorry for my absence, I promise there are more ghost stories coming soon!
Until then, it's that time again! My turn on the chain gang...
The chain started with Kate ( http://katekaryusquinn.blogspot.com/ ) and the last post was Elana ( http://elanajohnson.blogspot.com/ ). Be sure you check out the writers on the chain, cause let me tell ya, writer or not, they have some very insightful posts!
So, here's the question this time around:
How, as a writer, do you find the balance between having too much or too little confidence in your work?
As with so many writers in the chain before me, I have that ego swelling, that self-importance when you write. That "Aha!" moment when you say to yourself, "Damn, that's good stuff!".
You read it again, and you send it off to your crit partners. Then with each small suggestion, correction, and truthful comment, that initial, "Damn I'm good" turns into "Well crap, I thought it was good, but I see where they are coming from..."
You move on to revisions....endless revisions it seems. Here, you ride the confidence roller coaster.
I learned early on that criticism in any form is hard to take. In the end though, it only helps to make you a better writer. It's true what they say..."If it doesn't kill ya, then it will make ya stronger".
I will admit that anyone who has rejection issues should NEVER try and get published. The confidence level drops even further when those rejections come in for your phenomenal work that you just know is the best novel ever written.
I think the same should apply to those with a super-ego...no need to make excuses when you get rejected...LEARN from it...GROW as a writer.
Until this chain question, I really hadn't given my confidence level much thought. I know there are writers out there with far more education, far more talent, and far more tools to succeed in publishing, but it has never intimidated me. I want others to succeed. I get excited when one of my crit partners gets a request for a partial, and even more so when it's for a full. Someone else's success should only boost your own confidence, never deflate it.
I suppose I should pass the chain on over to Leah ( http://leahclifford.livejournal.com/ ) , but never fear, I'll be back this week with another ghost story, I'm just waiting on some pictures to go with it...it's about my trip to an old abandoned hospital with a REAL paranormal research team!!!
13 comments:
You've got plenty of confidence dear. You've got that by the bushel basketfull.
Terri-
Confidence exudes from your writing and your picture! But I think you're right about both ends of the confidence scale having difficulties with the rejections of publishing.
Can't wait for more ghost stories...yeah Halloween!
Abi
You are quite right. Barring outright meanness, the harshest critiques are the best. ;)
Very true. Crits and rejections can be hard to take (although for me at least, it has gotten easier over time.) But if you can be open to them, you end up with a much stronger product. And I also love when one of my writing buddies is successful. I really get almost as excited as I do for myself :) It is a thrill to watch someone make it in this tough industry. Great post!
I think we all ride the confidence rollercoaster. And yes, I had to learn to accept crits too, but I have learned a lot from them. You have to find someone who's what I call "helpfully honest."
I agree that being happy when others succeed is great! And it is not only good for your confidence, but for your karma as well!
I think I'm on a loop, with endless tickets, for the confidence roller coaster. The crits only hurt until I swallow my pride and accept that they're right. Good job!
You have such a great attitude about your writing, Terri. I'm certain you have grown a lot; you clearly take advantage of every opportunity for writing growth, and that's the way to hit the "big time." Even if you don't, I love your tenacity :)
I hear ya. Fortunately for me, I have had such positive feedback from my monthly column that it has boosted my confidence. One very important thing I have learned, is that I CANNOT be married to my words. I need to be able to change, delete and fix with no looking back. That was quite freeing, after I was able to do it. Also, I didn't realize that revising actually DOES work!!!! HA! And I"ve been damning my professors all these years. Joke's on me, I guess.
Loved this post. (Love ghost stories more.*wink*)
You nailed it with this sentence: " Someone else's success should only boost your own confidence, never deflate it."
Amen to that!
Rejection does suck. I've received so many. But it's all worth it when that one finally comes in saying YES, WE WANT YOUR WORK!! Now if only I can get a repeat of that...
Loved your post and love all of the spookies too! Happy Halloween!
Great attitude, Terri. Critiques are still incredibly painful for me, but I know they make such an enormous difference. Thanks for the reminder!
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