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I’m back to work on my WIP and it is progressing. Why then
do I find it so hard sometimes to make the words read in a fashion that would
make folks want to devour them, all of them? I think one of the worst things
that could happen for a writer is to have someone pick up their novel, read a
few pages and put it down. There are few books in my life that I’ve read where
I ended up skipping to the end because I couldn’t force myself to slog through
the either terrible story, horrible writing, or it just wasn’t my cup of tea.
In my youth I would force myself to finish a book even though I didn’t like it
just on principle. But as I’ve grown older I find I don’t have time to waste on
bad or uninteresting books.
For me the ultimate criticism is to have someone never
finish reading my novel. I’m sure there are people out there who have done just
that, and the thought makes me cringe, and drives me to make this work in
progress to be so much better. I know (intellectually) that I can’t please
everyone; that my writing/stories are not for everyone, but that doesn’t mean I
don’t WANT everyone to like them.
So my dilemma this month is to fight my apprehension, my
fear of not enough people liking the way I write or the stories I tell, and
just get on with it. Though some days it’s a struggle, it’s crazy hard, I’m
sticking my chin out and keeping my butt in the chair and my fingers on the
keyboard. Hope you are too…
Images from:
We can not control everything and sadly we probably have no control in what people honestly feel about our writing, just strive for the best you can and LOVE IT yourself I'm sure that helps. Best of luck, you can do it :)
ReplyDelete'Trust you struggle' Great sentiment.
Yes, I agree Suzanne. Loving it is the key!
DeleteLisa,
ReplyDeleteWriting should be about your imagination, wit, style, and passions. It should be something that brings you joy. Don't let the "what if's" get in the way of the excitement you feel when you write. There will be people that do not like your writing. There will also be many people that cannot get enough of your writing. So long as YOU are happy with your writing, then keep on doing it. The subjective reception of your work on the part of others is not in your control, so don't let it become a hindrance to your writing process.
I agree with my whole heart. Just hard sometimes to keep perspective. I will remember "The subjective reception of your work one the part of others is not in your control" because that is the perspective I need. Thanks Gil!
DeleteI think if someone doesn't complete my book because they thought it was a historical epic and found out it was about teenagers and ghosts I could live with that. But if I thought it was because they thought my writing was poor or the storyline bad, then I would be gutted :( So try and think of the former :)
ReplyDeleteSuzanne @ Suzannes-Tribe
I'm with you Suzanne! Thanks for visiting and commenting...
DeleteWe all have those days. Security for writers is a fickle thing.
ReplyDeleteWhile there are certainly things we can do to make readers less likely to set out books down unfinished (studying and honing our craft), ultimately, readers like what they like, and some are very picky.
I read a quote somewhere that said (paraphrasing here), 'A bad review usually means someone outside your target audience bought your book.' I think that sums it up rather well and puts it in the proper perspective.
Don't give up. :)
August co-host and IWSG #110
Not everyone likes everything. I'm sure there are people who tried to read Harry Potter because it was popular and couldn't get into it.
ReplyDeleteOh I love you! Whenever I start to through a pity party, I'll think of Harry Potter!
DeleteAs long as you feel that you're progressing...you're doing alright :)
ReplyDeleteI have trouble remembering this, too, but we should write for us, first and foremost, if others like it...it's just icing on the cake :)
Hi Lisa,
ReplyDeleteFinally, I have arrived with one of my highly collectable comments. That's my delusion over with.
I think that such apprehension, negative speculation as such, will only cause you undue stress. We all have to realise that not everybody will appreciate what we try to do.
For instance, you might skip down to this part of my comment :) I know this will shock a lot of folks. I think "Harry Potter" is boring and unoriginal.
Happy, fulfilling writing, Lisa.
Gary :)
I love how you love to shock! The first HP I had to struggle through the first half, after that I got into it and read them all. I agree about the negative speculation (my specialty LOL), (sometimes one just has to vent, you know?) and hereby, after all these kinds comments, declare I will write in a more positive fashion from here on out for the IWSG!
DeleteOh yeah this also makes me nervous. My book is so close to being published, so I'm so worried that people won't like it.
ReplyDeleteNever mind that I spent years making sure it's good.
Keeping trying is all we can do. I'm glad you are persevering. Thanks for posting so that I can remember to keep going too.
ReplyDelete