I am having a hard time writing. Everything I put down on paper is complete crap and the whole structure of my story is incredibly disappointing compared to all of my books. I look at my books and am just blown away by the masterpieces these authors have created. Their stories consume me and everything I write doesn't even come close to the brilliance laid before me. Ever felt this way???:( How can I become a better writer???
Ahhhhhh I am all here for this with some shitty quotes which render all my shitty quotes redundant. It’s totally intimating to say these things because the advice I will give is already out there, it’s been said before, in much better, more profound ways. But I won’t let that stop me from saying the same sentiment again, but in my own voice.
I feel this way all the time. Comparing yourself directly to the greats of writing is counterproductive. When you read back your writing, judge it against your own progress. It’s okay to not be brilliant right away, to feel like your never going to get to the ‘masterpiece’ levels that you adore, but you will. You’re probably not doing as badly as you think you are.
If you write something and you hate it, leave it alone for a few weeks, hide it. forget about it and then come back to it later and see how you feel, see how you want to improve and rewrite it. No one creates a masterpiece in their first draft.
To become a better writer there are two things you must do. The first is to read, continue reading your favourite authors, but read everything else as well. Read outside of your comfort zone, read terrible books. Read books about dinosaurs or quantum physics, read poetry and children’s books, read drama and horror. Read everything you can and imagine how you would have written it differently.
The second, is to write. That’s it. Just write. But again, write out of your comfort zone. If you want your writing to improve, don’t just practice writing the same type of thing over and over again. Because you will get better at what you practice, but if you practice bad habits, you’ll be really good at writing in a way that you might not like. Mix it up a bit. Practice writing in different genres and times and voices and characters.
And the hardest advice to follow of all: don’t worry about it. Write anyway.
Your writing is bad? Don’t worry about it. Write anyway.
Someone else is better than you? Don’t worry about it. Write anyway.
You just read an amazing book and are stuck in that world and voice and never want to leave?? Don’t worry about it. Write anyway.
Feel intimidated and in over your head? Don’t worry about it. Write anyway.
People asking you questions you’re not sure how to answer? Don’t worry about it. Write anyway.
Writing an answer way longer than the original question? Don’t worry about it. Write anyway.
Not sure if you’re being helpful or pretentious? Don’t worry about it. Write anyway.
Everyone has a hard time. But try not to dwell on it. You totally got this!
Goodluck, and keep writing! :)
Span.
“Comparison is the thief of joy” - Franklin Roosevelt
“Practice makes perfect, so be careful what you practice”
“ we are all our own harshest critics”
