When Is It Enough?

Title: Is it Ever Enough

I’ve recently had the opportunity to get back to reading for pleasure (although it is sprinkled in with my reading for the day job) and as one of the critters in a critique group pointed out earlier this week, it is awesome to have the opportunity to read those great authors, but they so often also highlight where we as writers may fall short. Not on purpose of course but I will say reading has changed since I’ve begun to write. I’ve become more tolerant of some things and less tolerant of others.

Still, this short exchange sparked thoughts in me and a conversation with my husband about when I’ll ever feel it is enough. When I’ve reached a level of writing that I will consider myself on par with other writers I admire. The sad answer is that I don’t know if I will ever consider myself on par with my favorites, but the silver lining in all of this is that the practicing of my craft will never end and my hopes to improve will continue with it.

To me, writing is a passion, but admittedly in its current state it is a hobby because I don’t have the time to dedicate to it full time. I’ve debated on whether I would still have this hunger to keep growing and improving if it wasn’t a hobby and I hope the answer would be yes but until I’ve stepped in those shoes I won’t completely know. Either way, for now I know I want to get better and as such I must keep challenging myself, pushing the envelope with my scenes, asking myself if there is enough conflict or description and deepening my world building and characters’ personalities.

What about you writers out there? Will you ever be on par with those you admire? What do you do to keep that fire lit beneath you?

Happy Writing this week!

Filed under: Toni Kelly, What inspires you?, Writer's Life