Thursday, December 8, 2011

Writing highs, writing lows

Today's 100 words:

It's sad that writing highs don't seem to last very long, at least for me. That poem I wrote two nights ago? I loved it for about a day, but now I see its many faults. I don't think it's bad to be critical about one's own work--on the contrary, I think it's a good thing--but still it is discouraging when Lady Doubt (as I call her) steps up and whispers in my ear, eager to give her unwanted opinion: You can't write. This is terrible. Why would anyone want to read this? But despite it all, I keep writing.

2 comments:

  1. The only thing that matters is to keep writing. I've had those times where I love what I write, then I hate it a few days later. One day, you'll hate what you write, ignore it for a month then go back and say, "Wow, this is genius!" -- It's happened to me more often than not.

    Also, I forget where I read it, but studies have shown that people with no self-doubt suck at what they do and the greatest writers of all time struggle with thinking their writing isn't good enough. Something to think about :)

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  2. Cheyanne, thank you for this. It's so easy to find fault with ourselves as writers, and your comment reminded me that there are ups and downs in writing--good days and bad. This, too, shall pass applies pretty well here, I think.

    I'd never heard of that study before. Very interesting!

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