In this world of indie publishing, anyone and everyone is writing a book, but should they be?
I might be a jerk for bringing this up, but I’ll say it.
I see a lot of crappy books out there.
It makes me wonder—if all these writers think they’re good, and I am just as optimistic about my abilities, could I be mistaken too?
Of Human Bondage by William Somerset Maugham is one of my favorite books about this creative dilemma. Fed up with a dreary accounting job, our protagonist, Phillip, goes to Paris to become a painter. He does well, but never creates anything extraordinary.
After the suicide of a classmate, who for all her artistic passion was a lousy painter, Phillip reevaluates his reasons for becoming an artist. He wonders what his future will look like if he continues to pursue his dream.
Phillip finally works up the nerve to end the subject once and for all by asking one of his painting masters to give an honest opinion of his work. The teacher is perplexed by his request.
Monsieur Foinet: “I don’t understand.”
Phillip: “I’m very poor. If I have no talent I would sooner do something else.”
Monsieur Foinet: “Don’t you know if you have talent?”
Phillip: “All my friends know they have talent, but I am aware some of them are mistaken.”
After Monsieur Foinet evaluates Phillip’s collection of work, he respectfully tells Phillip that he will never be anything other than a mediocre artist. Phillip decides to give up painting and go to medical school. Just like that — his abandons his whole Bohemian dream.
Unlike Phillip, I won’t give up writing no matter how paranoid I am about sucking. Although I would feel foolish pouring all of my energy into something I lack the talent for, whether anyone likes my writing should be secondary. Phillip’s friend and fellow painter, Clutton, puts it perfectly earlier in the book:
“What happens to our work afterwards is unimportant; we have got all we could out of it while we were doing it.”
That doesn’t mean I don’t care if my writing is bad. Like Phillip, I‘m afraid I am not, and will never be, any good. But I have to remember that I am still learning and to be okay with that. You should be okay with that too.
You wouldn’t expect to shoot par on your first trip to a golf course. You will hack and slice and end up in bunkers covered in sand. You will be humiliated and discouraged and tested, so don’t expect to sit down and write a brilliant novel if you haven’t devoted yourself to learning everything you can.
Sure, writing, like painting, seems to involve a certain amount of innate talent. I read scores of writers who create beautiful, technically perfect prose but whose writing is devoid of passion. Then there are those who are great at inventing characters and plot lines but lack the ability to make it all mean something. I used to believe they were missing that “it” factor that makes a great writer.
But the “it” factor is not always a mysterious gift bestowed on few. It’s mostly doing what you need to do to get better, whether it be technical or intuitive. I believe that with the right tools, instruction, feedback, and hard work, anyone can become a good writer.
Are you frustrated? Unsure? Do you feel like something’s off but you don’t know what?
Then think about this…
How many years did you have to attend school to earn a diploma? How much training did you go through for your profession? Now, how many hours have you devoted not just to writing, but to actively learning how to become a better writer?
Imagine if you took your writing as seriously as your job.
What training do you need?
Where can you get qualified feedback?
Think about where you feel a lack of confidence.
Analyze the areas where you can improve.
Respect your creative compulsions. Invest in yourself. Make a plan and take action to learn all you can.
Christa Wojciechowski is a dark fiction author and the founder of letsgetpublished.com, a virtual Mastermind Community where writers will learn how to become successful authors through live video chats, critique swaps, monthly masterclasses, and featured experts. Sign up for the wait list here.
This is fantastic advice and I think a very important conversation all creators need to have with themselves and mentors / advisors. I know writers who are very happy writing for friends and family and have zero intention of ever publishing because they feel they will never be better than “okay”. I personally believe that people can be developed, often to a far greater extent than they think, but I would say that as an editor and writing coach!! I think you struck the balance beautifully between innate and learned, willed and actualised. This is definitely the most thoughtful and nuanced mailing list I’ve ever been on. Thank you, Christa, for sharing!
I’m so glad you think so. I was hoping not to sound too harsh, but I see both sides of the coin: 1) the extremely talented writers who play too small, don’t put themselves out there, and no one knows they exist and 2) those who would be good or great with a bit of experience and guidance, but become discouraged when their first eager attempts don’t pay off. Writing is a skill that can be learned, but you do need mentors for trusted feedback. I know your coaching and advice has helped some of my mediocre stories, Joe! Thanks so much for your wisdom 🙂
Really good post, I think about all this everyday.
Thanks, Amorina. I’ve worked with a lot of writers who gave up before ever really giving themselves a chance. So many believe that if they don’t write a bestseller on their first try (without ever even having taken a writing or marketing class) that they don’t have the talent. This is not true!
I think everyone worries about this, even if they’ve been traditionally published!
I’ve read a lot of books that others have enjoyed that I did not consider good. It’s, surely, subjective.
Have faith, always do your best and keep writing.
You’re right about that. There’s that saying that goes something like, “there can be no argument in matters of taste.” Always do your best and keep writing is the best advice.
Another target-striking post, for which many writers should be grateful. I know I am. It’s a good thing to contemplate the reasons for being a writer. Self-determination and personal expression are very important. Sometimes it’s not the writing you’ve done that’s insufficient. It’s possibly a mismatch between your talent and your subject matter. That’s the most important thing I’ve learned to keep going. Choosing the right subject matter goes a long way to making you seem as good as you can be, maybe even surpassing your wildest expectations.
That’s a great point that I bet most people don’t consider. I know I write my best when I’m on a subject that inspires me. So next time I feel like something just isn’t working, I’ll check the subject matter. *Take down that note, readers!
Though I can’t imagine you struggling with this, Lawrence. Judging by your Sayville Tales, you must have had some extensive training or made a deal with the devil, hahaha.