Instead, most of us polish up our work until we think it shines with brilliant glory. We labor over it and try to get every word perfect. Sure, our fingers might tremble with anxiety when we finally hit send. But let’s admit it. We usually think our work is pretty darn good. Otherwise we probably wouldn’t put it out there.
Yet . . . the large majority of manuscripts that agents and editors see just aren’t ready for publication. And in the contest I recently judged, most of the entries weren’t ready for publication either. They had potential but still needed more time and growth.
Why do we struggle to know our skill levels? When we’re just beginning, why do we often think we’re better than we really are? Why are most of us blind to our own faults?
Here are a few of my theories: (Make sure to chime in with yours!)
We naturally view our work through our maturity level.
My tween daughters like to bead. Recently, they pulled out bracelets they’d beaded when they were younger. “Wow, these are ugly,” one daughter remarked. “I can’t believe we ever thought they were pretty.”
“At the time you made them,” I said, “that’s all you were capable of. You viewed their beauty through the eyes of a little girl. But now that you’re older, you know more about colors, designs, patterns, and styles so you can create more complex jewelry.”
The conversation reminded me that we naturally see our writing through the eyes of our maturity level. As a beginner, we’ll think our story is riveting or our descriptions beautiful simply because we don’t know better yet.
As we grow, our insight and understanding will deepen. We’ll see writing patterns and styles with more complexity. And we’ll realize what we once thought was beautiful was amateur at best.
We have a tendency to overlook our faults.
Whether in marriage or parenting or whatever, we can easily point out the faults in our spouses or children. But it’s much harder to recognize our own issues.
No matter how long we’ve been writing, it’s always going to be easier to see what someone else is doing wrong and so much harder to see the same problems in our own work.
In some ways the blindness to our issues is a natural defense mechanism. We want to protect ourselves from the pain that comes from admitting we’re wrong, that we’re not perfect, and that we have an uphill battle of hard work before us.
The creator’s love is a powerful bond that precludes objectivity.
If you’ve ever been a parent, you’ll understand the bond that happens the moment you give birth to your own flesh and blood. As the parent, your love for that creation supersedes the love anyone else could ever have. After all, the baby is a piece of you.
When we birth our stories, no one else will have the same depth of love for our creation that we do. Invariably as I write my first drafts, I fall in love with each story. That’s why it’s always so hard when my editors don’t fall in love with it right away and end up sending me lots of rewrites.
Most of us don’t realize how much hard work published authors have put in.
We often have a distorted view of writing and the publication process, especially when we’re starting out. How many times have you heard someone bash an author by saying, “This book isn’t any good. I’m sure I could write something better”?
Now that I’ve been writing a while, I realize it’s not just about talent. And although talent is a factor, those who think they have it usually have a distorted view of their abilities.
What I’ve come to understand is that it’s more about hard work. Those authors with 10, 20, or even 40 books aren’t where they’re at because of luck or talent alone. They make it look simple and easy, but in reality they’ve put in hours, weeks, and years of sweat and back-breaking labor.
If we think writing a book is easy, then we likely haven’t immersed ourselves in the reality of what it takes to write good fiction in today’s market.
The point of all this theorizing is threefold:
1. ALL writers MUST have critical and objective feedback on their work, preferably multiple edits from qualified writers or professionals.
2. We must resign ourselves to the fact that writing a publishable book is NOT easy. We have to stop trying to take the easy way and simply embrace the reality of the hard work.
3. Stay humble. If we attempt to view our skill level realistically and humbly, we’ll be much more open to hard feedback and subsequent growth.
I’d love to hear your thoughts! Why do you think it’s so hard for writers to know their own skill level? And why are so many of us blind to our faults?
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61 comments:
I think you pretty much summed it up. I know this is the same with me. I got back and read my first two manuscripts and blush, because they really aren't good. But at the time, was convinced I was going to be the next Karen Kingsbury. :)
On a side note - I think it's funny how different writers are. You were saying you fall in love with each story as you write the first draft. I don't so much fall in love as I want to tear out my hair. ;)
If we could all see our own faults then we'd all be published! :)
I wish I knew, then I could stop doing it. lol
I'd be lost without my crit partners. There's no way I'm objective enough to see the mistakes I make or the ways my work could improve, so I really rely on them for help.
I don't know that there is a way to get around our flaw-blindness except for having a wide circle of trusted critics who you can depend on for honest feedback.
Why do you think it’s so hard for writers to know their own skill level? And why are so many of us blind to our faults?
We don't read enough "good" writing to know "bad" writing when we see it, including our own.
We need to read less books that make us say, "I can write better than this," and start reading more books that make us say, "I could never write as good as this."
There's my favorite point in #3 again. Seriously, the most attractive quality.
I'm an odd bird in that I see faults that aren't even there. I'm hard on myself.
At some point I just let go and press send. Things could always improve, this is true.
I've learned to gauge my work with a sharper eye. Time helps.
~ Wendy
This is definitely my problem. When I did National Novel Writing Month for the first time, I thought the resulting novel was the best thing ever. When I went back to edit over a year later, it sucked. Big time. Which makes me wonder how what I'm writing now will look in a year. Scary thought.
Fantastic post. You've definitely summed it all up. Even though I hate getting harsh critiques, I know that they'll only help my story in the long term.
I think everything I do kind of sucks and am pleasantly surprised when a contest win comes in or as happened in January, an agent offers representation (woo hoo!).
I do the best I can and remind myself constantly that even the brand name writers started out like me.
No one ever sends their manuscript off to an agent thinking, “There goes that horrible piece of junk. Boy am I glad to get that worthless manuscript off my desk.”
Wait - oh, yes, we do! That's exactly what I do - please tell me I'm not the only one! In fact, I've learned that right about the point I'm thinking the current manuscript is the biggest pile of garbage imaginable and no one will ever want to read it - that means I'm close to finished.
I was completely blind to my faults when I wrote my first novel...and thank goodness I was, or I could never have finished. :-)
Now, I'm more like Wendy--my chief problem is that I'm too hard on myself and have to struggle to pep myself up, especially at the beginning of a draft. Once I fall in love with it, then I get a little bit of that blessed blindness again to help carry me through.
Goodmorning everyone! Am loving the diverse thoughts this morning!
Hey Patty! Congrats on the agent!! How did I miss that? :-)
And Sara, wow! I'm curious to hear if others feel their work is crap before sending it out. I'm thinking the majority of writers probably have a distorted view of their grandness (hence so many writers self-publishing books that haven't gone through a rigorous editing process.)
Simple. I am not the reader. I am the writer. My perspective will always be different. It has to be, for better or for worse. There are strengths and weaknesses that go with this situation.
But it is necessary and difficult that I do not view my work with the eyes of my readers.
The maturity point is bang on for me. What I write one day (with revisions, too), at that time seems good, but when I come back to it even a week later, after reading published books, and study books, I see where more growth is needed.
Also, I truly believe we need distance from our writing to go back to it and be able to read it word for word to recognize weaknesses/problems. What's in our head at the time of writing often provides a cloud over what is actually written on the page. We just don't SEE the issues in print, because the story is so romantized in our heads at the time.
Oh, so now I have a question for you, Jody. As a published author, do you ever go back and read your published book and notice where you could do improvements?
I'm thinking you probably don't have time to do that, but I've always wondered if published authors do see weaknesses even after all the professional edits when time has passed between reads.
I think there are a lot of wannabe writers who get caught up in the idea of being an "artiste"--they get their stroke of inspiration and then pour their words out onto the page, and feel that going back and analyzing the word choice, sentence structure, storyline, etc. will somehow sully their art. It's the "anyone can write" myth that we've all encountered!
I also strongly agree with Paul--you need good crit partners. The WORST ms I ever read was by a high school lit teacher (really!) so it's not like she hasn't read great writing. But she was clearly much too close to the story (it was an obvious revenge fantasy) and the people who had already read it were friends who I suspect just didn't want to hurt her feelings after she'd put in so much time. There might have been a kernel of a decent story in there, if only she'd been working with a writing group.
I know I am guilty of not having readers beyond family and friends. Any recommendations on how to find a writing group or personalities that can challenge and encourage my writing ability?
Eileen asked: "As a published author, do you ever go back and read your published book and notice where you could do improvements?"
My response: Hi Eileen! I've told myself I will NEVER EVER re-read any of my published books. I know I'd find things I would want to change and I would hate knowing there was a "mistake" I couldn't change. So, I've personally chosen the "ignorance is bliss" path for my published books. I did the best I could. I'll hope readers enjoy them. And then I'll move on to the next book.
Excellent post, and I loved the example you provided for the maturity angle about your daughters' views of their previous efforts at beading. While reading my first novels is a cringe-worthy experience, it's also fun to see how far I've come (and hopefully how much I'll continue to grow as a writer).
Nancy asked: "Any recommendations on how to find a writing group or personalities that can challenge and encourage my writing ability?"
My response: Nancy, I think the path to finding crit group/partner is going to be different for each of us. Some people find groups within genre organizations like Romance Writers of America. Others find crit partners from other writing friends that they make through blogging or Twitter.
Don't be afraid to ask writer friends for a trial critique period. Ask on your blog or twitter. Or personally email a new friend. I've gone through several differnt crit. relationships before finalling ending up in a partnership that is working really well.
It takes time to eventually find a few closer writers that you can work with in a critique partnership, either locally or online. But I strongly encourage every writer to work at getting in a group or partnership.
What Linda Jackson said...
Thank you for organizing these ideas for discussion. I'm always surprised with advancing years the maturity factor doesn't lessen more. Yet I still look back on things I created 5 years ago with more knowledge that I could have made small improvements. Looking at the bright side, that gives evidence I'm still striving, learning, and vital.
Hearing or reading a truly exquisite piece of prose, even just a paragraph, reminds me never to stop aiming higher. The point is not to imitate someone else's gift, but to embrace the truth that writing is a process of constant evaluation and letting go. The exquisite prose that inspires me probably did not come into being in an afternoon on a whim.
Someone once said, "Everyone hates writing, and everyone loves having written". I don't know if everyone really hates writing but it does speak to the hard work it takes.
Sometimes the ideas and words just seem to appear from nowhere as if by magic. And on other days...well...you spend hours staring at a blank screen absolutely positive that you will never have another original thought in your life. You know, it's like trying to squeeze inspiration out of a rock.
I started writing my blog two months ago thinking that this will be fun and easy. Well, most of the time it's fun, but it isn't easy. Writing consistantly is a grind.
I have a new found respect for anyone that can actually write a novel. So far I have written 50 short posts and I swear my brain bleeds a little every time.
I really think as a beginner, I didn't know how hard it was to write a book. When I look back at the few queries I sent out, I cringe. Now that I know more I have the opposite problem. I think it's never good enough.
Amen! Holy cow, I'm blind to so many of my faults. I'm extremely thankful for my critique partners who point out the things I missed. Seriously, how could I miss the same mistake after reading it 20 times? :D
I tend to shake my fist to the universe while writing what I consider to be the worst piece of writing in the world. I'm extremely hard on myself. I edit, revise, edit, cut mercilessly, and keep tweaking anything I write. And then the deadline comes.
See that little sign that says "comment deleted by author"? Yep. That's me. I even edit my own comments. :)
I imagine childbirth will be more fun.
For me, writing seems necessary, even if what I write seems like crap.
As the years go by, the more crap I seem to see. I believe that's a sign of my inner critic becoming more aware and less tolerant. Hopefully my writing is getting better along with it!
I was just having this conversation with another author still writing her first novel.
It's not something any of us want to hear, I think, but it's ALWAYS true. No, that specific person giving feedback on your work may not be correct, but that means you need to seek out a crit partner/editor who is a better fit.
If anyone tells you your work is perfect the first time around, they either don't know what they're talking about, or they're just kissing up.
Great post.
I think the biggest problem is the lack of editing and revising. When you are writing your first draft, you must fall deeply in love with it and your characters, or else you will never finish. And when you are still in that first blush of love, you think everyone else will immediately feel the same level of adoration for everything you have done. And so, the newer authors submit their work.
Authors who have been around the block know that there is a reason they call it the first draft. You need to take some time off from that draft and then re-read it as if it weren't your own work. Edit, revise,bring in other writers and editors you trust. Only after you go through the second, third, and fourth draft will your work be ready to send out. There is the chance that you will hate every one of your characters, plotlines, and turns of phrase by this point, simply because you are sick of them. But that is okay. It is simply part of the process.
I think the answer depends on the personality type of the author. Some people intimately know their own faults, others are blind, and there are many shades in between. I've had mixed success with outside eyes pointing out my flaws. Some, especially amateur writers, like to point to flaws that don't actually exist.
Another excellent post, Jody, one that speaks to the creative heart of a writer. I know I've said it before, but you rock--as a writer, blogger, and friend.
Before I had Lasik surgery, I was so nearsighted I went to pet our orange tabby one morning before putting on my glasses but found out the cat was really a brown paper lunch bag. When I wrote my first story, I was just as blind and clueless. I cringe when I think of the dear friends who waded though some 250K of the worst writing ever.
Rosslyn and Jennifer make a good point. That initial blindness serves us. If we had the ability to see our early work as others do, I wonder how many of us would have the courage to keep writing. We might end up convinced we didn't have what it takes and give up. The love of our stories, our characters, and the creative process--coupled with that temporary blindness--helps get us through those newbie days.
Once the initial euphoria we experience when we complete our early works wears off and we wise up, many of us encounter a new problem. Like Sara, Patti, Wendy, and Tamara said, there are those of us, myself included, who think what we've written isn't all that great. Sadly, our eagle-eyed internal editors can get in the way.
I think balance is the key. We have to believe in ourselves and our stories, but we also have to learn to what our weaknesses are. That's where critique partners, agents, and editors come in. They can help us see what needs work as well as identify what's working. We look at the story with the benefit of backstory. We know our characters intimately and can fill in missing gaps without even realizing it, whereas others see only what's on the page.
Sorry about the novella, but you tapped into a subject near to this writer's heart.
So true! Being objective about ones work is so hard. Thats why outside readers are essential.
Sarah Allen
(my creative writing blog)
I think a lot of times when we are looking back over what we've written we do not see What is Actually There, but rather, what was in our head when we were writing it. WE know what we meant, and that's what we see when we're reading it. That's one reason a crit partner--or even a beta reader with a good eye--is so important. Because they can see what we left out. WE know our heroine isn't a meanie, but we didn't get it on the page. But because we Know this, we don't see what's missing.
I'm getting a little better at spotting these things, but I still need a spotter to catch the ones I miss (otherwise known as an editor).
I also think we need to be aware and willing to cut that "beautiful paragraph," or any lovely prose if it doesn't serve the story, or to get the point across. It's not easy to write ANY piece of prose--even a letter to the editor that makes sense.
I know my limitations and I seek lots of help. I take classes, have multiple people read and edit my work, and yet, I know I have so much room for growth. I have a story to tell and not all the abilities to tell it. I need others to help me along this journey.
Wow, Jody, I love this post! I can't add anything to what you just said. You're right on. My most discouraging rewrite is the 2nd draft. I come into it on a high because I've completed the novel and, as you said, I've fallen in love with my story. Then, arrgghhh, I hit the "2nd-draft blues". Somebody needs to write a song!
I did a boo boo the other day. I put my query letter up for critique but got impatient and sent it out before anyone got around to checking it. The first comment was make sure you sort out that typo before you send it out!
Funnily enough the line read, '...they had overlooked one one small detail' well obviously so had I. doh!
I am so ashamed of some of my earlier work. It makes me wonder how bad the stuff I'm writing now is! LOL We are always growing as writers and need to be open to that learning:) Nice post.
Maybe when we're starting out it's almost impossible to see our own faults. If we were aware of all our shortcomings we might not keep going - or even start.
Ignorance being bliss isn't a bad kicking-off point. After that, your three points are what will keep us on track. Thanks for another thought-provoking post, Jody.
WHAT?!?!?! I have FAULTS?!?!?! Oh man. ;) I think we're blind to our faults because it's easier to pretend we're the next Jk Rowling :)
I have nothing to add. I'm in complete agreement--especially about getting qualified feedback. Essential!!
Some really great words of wisdom here, Jody. I really loved your comparison with your daughters when it comes to a learning curve. Writing is a process and we learn as we move through that process. I thought our manuscript was pretty good until I got it back from our agent. Wow. Did I write all that passive voice and head hopping? Hmmm... apparently I did. But having someone rip the manuscript apart was a great learning experience and I'll be able to build on that as I move into the sequel for it.
I completely agree on the issue of critical feedback and multiple edits. I thought I'd already done that before Nicole even saw the manuscript for the first time. With her help, we did two more really big edits on it. And now she's happy with it, so mission accomplished.
Why are we so blind? Well, a lot of it can probably be chalked up to ego. It's always hard to hear someone tell us that our work is sub par. But those who will be successful with take those comments and work with them. It takes a village to raise a child and sometimes it takes a team to write a book. But what a book it will be.
This was an insanely good, engaging read! I will now have to check out your other posts and follow you :3
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Oh my, Jody, I'm not sure, because right now all I can focus on are my weaknesses! But I really appreciate the perspective you give here, particularly about the affect our maturity level has on our work. That makes so much sense.
Hugs and best wishes!
I think for unpublished writers, we listen constantly to the same voices and sometimes that may be too comfortable.
Also, while we don't send in things that we believe are pieces of junk, we might submit something to get a new voice on it. I submitted two entries for an RWA contest recently. One entry was a contest finalist that I'd made some minor changes to and I hoped it would place to get it in front of the agent doing the final reviews. However, the other entry was submitted as it was a first contest for it and I wanted to hear what someone besides my CPs would say. (Granted, I was very happy with it when I submitted it.)
Not sure I'm as blind as I am proud. Writing is the one thing I do well without fail. I'm mired down in a "If I don't have writing then what do I have?" type mentality.
This is definitely a post I needed to read.
Beautiful post... I especially like how you compared giving a birth to the story with a childbirth.
Wow. This is an eye-opening post. You're right, Jody, it's hard to see our own faults and our maturity as writers, especially because, like you say, we have an emotional attachment with our writing. What makes it even more difficult, I think, is that artistic endeavors are so subjective. Sure, there is some consensus as to what qualifies as good writing, but I've recently read successful novels that break several writing rules, yet I still enjoyed them. Some people, though, may not be able to get past those broken rules. So taste also comes into play.
With all the conflicting advice that is out there, the issue of personal taste and the encouraging words of those close to us, it's not surprising that sometimes (or worse, all the time!) we may be unable to view our work objectively. I just hope that I'm overcoming my "blind" stage, ha ha.
Thanks for a very thoughtful post!
Thank you for this great post, Jody.
I'm in agreement with a few others... I'm extremely self-critical. I always feel like my work could or should be better. Maybe it's good at times to be so critical, maybe it's not.
I love how you said this: "no one else will have the same depth of love for our creation that we do." I know that depth with my children. What amazes and blesses me is to recognize that I can't even imagine how deep that love is from our Creator to us, His creation. How awesome to learn even more about that love from our writing, too!
Thanks for the always useful and thoughtful posts, Jody. (I'm a rare commenter, but a very regular reader.)
I believe the most valuable asset of any author are his/her beta-readers. I'm treating mine with utmost care. Even if I disagree on a point, I thank them for their time and effort. I know I wouldn't spot half the faults they stumble over.
Thanks for this post. It was really good.
All of your reasons are spot-on. I think we're in a rush sometimes, too -- we need to get to that next great idea before it fizzles away.
Thank you for this thought-provoking post. As writers, I think that we often take rejection of our work as rejection of ourselves. It is very humbling to experience this, but it can also be an opportunity to hone in and develop stronger skills.
This is a great post. You're right on the mark.
After finishing my first novel I told a friend I was going to get a book on how to write a novel and find out how it was suppose to be done. Boy, did I get a shock when I discovered how much there was to learn and how bad my novel was. I tried for years to revise that first one. Then, in between reading dozens of other how-to books, I moved on to write three more novels.
Despite all the writing theory and feedback, as I revise each successive novel I begin to feel it's no better than its predecessor, or at least not much better. Loving to write, learning the craft, and being able to complete book length work is no guarantee that a worthy novel will ever be produced. That's a discouraging truth, and I wish I'd known it before I let the dream of being a novelist overtake me. That first novel was addictive.
In answer to your question, I'm not sure all that many of us *are* blind to our writing faults. I think it's more likely that we love to write despite the faults, and despite realizing we may not have the talent to create a publishable story. Not everyone who writes will succeed. In my case, if I never have a novel published I'll still enjoy the writing. It's a little like doing a puzzle... figuring out how everything should fit together, celebrating its completion, then putting it aside to begin another one. Some people are addicted to puzzles; others don't have the patience for them.
All noteworthy! I am on the 6th edit of my manuscript and I put it away for a week or so and work on something else and then go back and say - aha! need to trim this and that and tighten up. I think we need a little humble in us to improve and be open to improve our craft or we will stagnate. A few writers I met arent open to ending and learning new, and that is sad
Blogger frigngruvn said...
All noteworthy! I am on the 6th edit of my manuscript and I put it away for a week or so and work on something else and then go back and say - aha! need to trim this and that and tighten up. I think we need a little humble in us to improve and be open to improve our craft or we will stagnate. A few writers I met arent open to ending and learning new, and that is sad
I think for me it's lack of input from writers further along then me. Over the years I've been in crit groups where I knew MORE than the others and at the time that wasn't much! I knew I needed to move on, but I'm still looking for that perfect crit fit where the person isn't too flattering or too harsh. Along the way I've been blessed with some wonderful help from successful authors and by attending workshops a couple times a year, I know I have much more to learn, but I'm writing the best book I know how now!
Hi Jody -
I kept the original draft of my first manuscript. In some ways it horrifies me, but I'm also encouraged because I've grown.
I recognize my faults as I read excellent books. They keep me from getting a big head.
Blessings,
Susan :)
I would be soooo lost without my critique partners and beta readers. Even after multiple edits and long hours, weeks, days and years, I still find things I need to tweak in my novels.
At some point, though, we have to draw the line and say enough is enough. We have to trust in ourselves and that our work is good enough. Otherwise, if we keep revising, no one will ever be reading what we wrote. Learning to let go is just as important as learning what we've done wrong.
Jody, this is an incredible post -- so much truth here (hard truth, too).
When I was first submitting my manuscript to agents, one emailed back to tell me my writing was "just okay," and clearly not ready for publication. I was steaming mad (and let's be honest here, cried like a fool).
But you know what? I realize now that he was right (I still have to say that through clenched teeth).
Some months after that, I had my manuscript professionally edited -- I ended up cutting out a lot and refining most of the ms, too. And a few months later I landed an agent.
I'd simply been blind to the flaws in my own writing -- I was too close to the material and to me, everything was brilliantly written and absolutely necessary!
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