Denise
asked
Colleen Hoover:
Hello! A big fan here! I fell in love with Ugly Love and now I just always look forward to reading your books🧡. I was wondering, in your writing process, how do you stop (or try to stop:) doubting yourself constantly? Do you think doubts are signs you don’t like what you have written or that you’re scared people won’t? Sorry if my questions are confusing, I really love your style of writing and your stories
Colleen Hoover
Great question!
I know a lot of writers and can attest that there are at least three types of writers.
1) Those who love to write and love what they write.
2) Those who hate writing and look at it like a business and don't care if they love or hate what they write.
3) Those who love to write but hate every word they put on paper.
I am the third kind of writer. I LOVE to write. It's as important to me as air. But I hate, hate, hate everything I write. Sure, there are moments I enjoy the characters and the stories or I wouldn't love writing, but overall, I'm constantly wanting to be better and trying to be better. I doubt every book and every release. I can never go back after a book is published and read what I wrote because it doesn't make me swoon, it makes me cringe.
I read other books from other writers and I doubt my own talent and think everyone else has the answer.
I don't know why I'm like this, but honestly, I wouldn't change it. I think it's good to challenge and push yourself to be better. I hope I never write a book and sit back when I'm finished and think, "THIS is a perfect book." Because there is no perfect book.
Now, the million dollar question is, "Will READERS like this book?"
Some will. Some won't. So you should always write for yourself, no matter what. Which gets really hard because if you hate what you write like I do, when do you know it's ready?
You don't.
Writing is a job that has very little distinguishable end, and the only way you know if you did it right is after you release your book. And even then, the reviews and sales could be terrible, but does that mean you wrote a crap book?
No. Because some good books do bad and some bad books do well.
Basically, if you want to be a writer, get ready for the roller coaster. It's the most and least rewarding job I've ever had and I've had a lot of jobs. It's the most and least stressful job I've ever had. I want to write every second of the day and sometimes I never want to write another word.
Writing is confusing and it's very hard to make a living doing it, but if you read all this and still want to write, then maybe it's perfect for you.
Also, keep in mind, I'm only the third type of writer. You could ask this same question to other writers and they'll likely tell you something completely different. ;)
I know a lot of writers and can attest that there are at least three types of writers.
1) Those who love to write and love what they write.
2) Those who hate writing and look at it like a business and don't care if they love or hate what they write.
3) Those who love to write but hate every word they put on paper.
I am the third kind of writer. I LOVE to write. It's as important to me as air. But I hate, hate, hate everything I write. Sure, there are moments I enjoy the characters and the stories or I wouldn't love writing, but overall, I'm constantly wanting to be better and trying to be better. I doubt every book and every release. I can never go back after a book is published and read what I wrote because it doesn't make me swoon, it makes me cringe.
I read other books from other writers and I doubt my own talent and think everyone else has the answer.
I don't know why I'm like this, but honestly, I wouldn't change it. I think it's good to challenge and push yourself to be better. I hope I never write a book and sit back when I'm finished and think, "THIS is a perfect book." Because there is no perfect book.
Now, the million dollar question is, "Will READERS like this book?"
Some will. Some won't. So you should always write for yourself, no matter what. Which gets really hard because if you hate what you write like I do, when do you know it's ready?
You don't.
Writing is a job that has very little distinguishable end, and the only way you know if you did it right is after you release your book. And even then, the reviews and sales could be terrible, but does that mean you wrote a crap book?
No. Because some good books do bad and some bad books do well.
Basically, if you want to be a writer, get ready for the roller coaster. It's the most and least rewarding job I've ever had and I've had a lot of jobs. It's the most and least stressful job I've ever had. I want to write every second of the day and sometimes I never want to write another word.
Writing is confusing and it's very hard to make a living doing it, but if you read all this and still want to write, then maybe it's perfect for you.
Also, keep in mind, I'm only the third type of writer. You could ask this same question to other writers and they'll likely tell you something completely different. ;)
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