Cory Toth
asked
Owen King:
Owen, do you think there is a certain point when an author can embrace his success and feel proud of his work, or will he be forever doubting his own abilities? Do you think that self-doubt can ultimately create a better writer?
Owen King
Hi Cory,
I feel like the answer to both of these questions is pretty subjective.
I mean, if you look at a master novelists, like, oh, let's say, Anne Tyler or Toni Morrison or Philip Roth, you have to guess that at this stage, they must feel good about all the amazing stuff they've written, right? But it wouldn't shock me if, sitting down to start something new, even greats like those writers suffer some anxiety. Every new project is terribly big before you've put down any words.
Then again, maybe they have no doubts from the get-go!
I would say that if your self-doubt forces you to be especially thoughtful about your writing, it's probably for the best. The trouble is if your self-doubt freezes you. The process of writing stories is inherently risky, so you do have to let go of self-doubt at some point.
Best,
Owen
I feel like the answer to both of these questions is pretty subjective.
I mean, if you look at a master novelists, like, oh, let's say, Anne Tyler or Toni Morrison or Philip Roth, you have to guess that at this stage, they must feel good about all the amazing stuff they've written, right? But it wouldn't shock me if, sitting down to start something new, even greats like those writers suffer some anxiety. Every new project is terribly big before you've put down any words.
Then again, maybe they have no doubts from the get-go!
I would say that if your self-doubt forces you to be especially thoughtful about your writing, it's probably for the best. The trouble is if your self-doubt freezes you. The process of writing stories is inherently risky, so you do have to let go of self-doubt at some point.
Best,
Owen
More Answered Questions
Cody Williams
asked
Owen King:
Hi Owen, I am wondering if you have any idea when we can expect SLEEPING BEAUTIES to be released and what the writing process was like with Stephen King. I know you collaborated with Mark Poirier on INTRO TO ALIEN INVASION (a fantastic graphic novel, I might add) and I was wondering if the process was different between collaborators. Also, do you have any more solo projects coming down the pipeline? Thanks!
Russ Morey
asked
Owen King:
Owen, I can't say enough about your highly entertaining book, We're All in This Together: A Novella and Stories. I discovered your books at Inquiring Minds in New Paltz, NY. I seem to suffer from short-attention span writing. All my stories end at page 25. As a successful writer of the long form and short form, would you recommend a new writer to attempt to publish a collection of short stories as a book? Thank you!
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