More on Writer's Angst
Writing for publication is, I always say, one of the most angst-prone things you can do. I bet even the richest and most-read novelist of the day, JK Rowling, has her worries about the forthcoming release of The Casual Vacancy in September. Here is a handy cut-out-and-keep list of many of the ways Writer's Angst can get you:
The writers I admire are so brilliant, is there any point my trying to write at all? I'll never be as good as they are.Isn't it hugely hubristic to believe that anyone will want to spend time reading something that is effectively no more than the contents of my mind? Who do I think I am?Eek! It's going to be complete at 30,000 words. Way too short.The plot's rambling out of control! 150,000 words already. I'll never reach the end!No! I've come across another book written two years ago on a very similar theme. Everyone will think I stole the idea.Supposing it's rubbish and no one wants to tell me?Gah! A writer I respect was very critical about the bit he read. I'm doing it all wrong. Sob.It must be rubbish because I've got all these form rejections from agents. They know what readers want, surely. Proper writers get agents and a publishing deal.Supposing when I put it for sale on Amazon no one buys it?And later:My first book is a success, hurrah - has actually sold well, readers have said they enjoyed it, I've made good money - but I'll never be able to repeat my success because...I used up all my ideas in the first book. Now I am but an empty husk, who will never create an interesting character or story line ever again.This book is a struggle. I don't remember the last one being as hard to write. Probably because this one is No Good.I've forgotten how to write! Every sentence is convoluted and awkward. Woe!Other people write loads more words per day than I do. Why am I so slow?By the time I get this one finished, the people who loved my first book will have forgotten my name.Later:Okay, so Book Two is out and doing rather well - some readers even prefer it to Book One - but I'll definitely never be able to do it a third time...MORAL: Do not fret.
Everything will be all right. Do not be self-critical - in an imperfect world, you do not need to be perfect. No one else is. Lighten up. Keep writing, one word at a time. You can do it.
The writers I admire are so brilliant, is there any point my trying to write at all? I'll never be as good as they are.Isn't it hugely hubristic to believe that anyone will want to spend time reading something that is effectively no more than the contents of my mind? Who do I think I am?Eek! It's going to be complete at 30,000 words. Way too short.The plot's rambling out of control! 150,000 words already. I'll never reach the end!No! I've come across another book written two years ago on a very similar theme. Everyone will think I stole the idea.Supposing it's rubbish and no one wants to tell me?Gah! A writer I respect was very critical about the bit he read. I'm doing it all wrong. Sob.It must be rubbish because I've got all these form rejections from agents. They know what readers want, surely. Proper writers get agents and a publishing deal.Supposing when I put it for sale on Amazon no one buys it?And later:My first book is a success, hurrah - has actually sold well, readers have said they enjoyed it, I've made good money - but I'll never be able to repeat my success because...I used up all my ideas in the first book. Now I am but an empty husk, who will never create an interesting character or story line ever again.This book is a struggle. I don't remember the last one being as hard to write. Probably because this one is No Good.I've forgotten how to write! Every sentence is convoluted and awkward. Woe!Other people write loads more words per day than I do. Why am I so slow?By the time I get this one finished, the people who loved my first book will have forgotten my name.Later:Okay, so Book Two is out and doing rather well - some readers even prefer it to Book One - but I'll definitely never be able to do it a third time...MORAL: Do not fret.
Everything will be all right. Do not be self-critical - in an imperfect world, you do not need to be perfect. No one else is. Lighten up. Keep writing, one word at a time. You can do it.
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