Last night I read something that said, "When an anorexic teenage girl looks in the mirror, she thinks she sees someone who is fat, ugly, and worthless."
I thought, OH MY HECK! That's what I think about my writing!
How did this happen? Somewhere along the line I became obsessed with creating the perfect manuscript. I thought I wasn't worth anything unless I could be J.K. Rowling, Rick Riordian, R.L. Stein, and Beverly Cleary all rolled into one.
It just ain't gonna be. And I have to stop comparing myself.
I'm not a writing supermodel. I don't want to be. I'm me. I like what I write. This morning I feel happier about being an aspiring author than I have in a long, long time. I'm working on a positive manuscript image. My manuscript isn't perfect, but it's a good, solid piece of work. I did my best. I'll give it just a little more love and feeding, then send it out on its way.
What do you do to keep your writing happy and well fed?
Gaining my awesome writers' group buddies has been a huge help. They are honest, but positive and we keep each other going, especially when the Anorexia Writosa sets in. (Love that name, by the way!)
ReplyDeleteYes, positive and helpful critique partners are wonderful!
DeleteI love the idea that how I see my manuscript may not be how it really is. I think we are all our worst critic. Thanks for the reminder to be happy with our work. :)
ReplyDeleteThe scary part was that I was trying so hard to make it brilliant that I nearly destroyed it.
ReplyDeleteIt is way hard to find that balance between demanding the best from myself and being too harsh.
It's the newest epedimic sweeping across the country. No writer is safe! -Aaron
ReplyDeleteSince the advent of the supermodel writers, and the publishing industry's desire for mega-bestsellers, it was only a matter of time before little folks like me started to develop a complex.
DeleteIt's more than a good, solid piece of work. It's awesome. Embracing who we are, that we are unique and bring something special to our writing that no one else can ... this is an essential part of being a writer. And gaining writer confidence. I would almost call it vision, but then I'd have to write a whole post about it... wait, maybe I will. ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sue. Lately I've been dying to ask my test readers how my book compares to other books they've read, but I sort of knew in the back of my mind that it wasn't a healthy question so I refrained.
DeleteNow I can't believe I even wanted to know that.
IT IS SO GOOD TO BE BACK! Once I truly realized and admitted what I was doing to myself, it stopped. Can't wait to start the last round of revisions, er, I mean love and feeding, now that I have my vision back.
Yay! Also, I wrote that post. :) Do you want me to post it now or wait a few days?
DeleteDefinitely post the post.
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