One of the reasons I wrote the post below is because I’ve never written this way before. Without a contract. And because, as I’ve said before, I have no illusions that this one will be published. Times have changed.
Another reason I wrote it is because I believe every writer goes through some form of this.
I wish you’d tell me if you do or don’t.
7 comments:
I definitely go through that. Why spend all this time/energy on something? But I just keep doing it. If you figure out the answer, do let us know.
I think any writer who says they never have these doubts is either a liar or so self-absorbed (read: delusional) I don't think anyone would want to read what he wrote.
Not so much when I write short stories because the effort is less. But I sure do when trying to write a novel-just feel like I should be scrubbing a floor most of the time.
I absolutely go through that with every novel-length work I write, particularly because I've yet to sell one (and no matter how close I come, I suspect until I do sell one, I'll feel as if I never will).
The two things I'm forced to remind myself are:
1) When I'm rereading finished work, those doubts rarely make it to the page (as in, I can't tell those bits apart from the ones where I thought that I was really nailing it; I suspect I'm neither as good nor as bad a writer as I sometimes think).
And 2) Not knowing where this book will end up is a luxury. I've got no contract to fulfill, no ticking clock; I can write the book I'd want to read.
Only constantly.
I have those feelings too, but continue to write.
Please continue. The world will be a better place with one more book by Sandra Scoppettone.
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