When do you know you're a great writer?

Question

I'm thinking of Nietzsche, Patterson, Coelho, King, etc...

And i'm thinking of me.

And i'm wondering when do you KNOW you're good?

I keep thinking everything i write sucks donkey balls. But what if it's actually good? Or what if it's actually quite bad?
I mean seriously, when do you just know that you are damn good at what you're writing?

Answer 1

With all my heart and soul -- I LOVE this question.

Short answer: You don't. You can't. And nobody else knows, either.

You want to know who REALLY knows? (Keep reading -- answer below).

Hemmingway absolutely detested his own writing; so did Fitzgerald. Even though each man sold his work, each still believed he was just successful at fooling people. Kafka was another who hated his own voice so much he couldn't bear to publish during his lifetime. He honestly didn't believe he had any talent.

Do publishers and editors know? Do you know how many publishers rejected JK Rowling before one accepted Harry Potter? Dozens.

One man, John Kennedy Toole was so depressed by the rejections he received he committed suicide. His mother eventually got his novel "A Conferderacy of Dunces" published, and it went on to be a number one best seller, and winner of the Pulitzer Prize.

And the people don't know jack, either. Look at the list of Nobel Prize Winners in literature. How many of them do you "really" know? people like Sully Prudhomme, Eugenio Montale, and SOOO many others have not withstood the test of time. Nobody reads them, nobody cares. But for a while all of these hacks had incredible public popularity.

And what does this mean? Bottom line: You don't know, publishers don't know, the public doesn't know.

So, Who Knows??? Only "time" will tell.

Cheers, mate.

Answer 2

What you may write may suck donkey balls but as long as you cleverly cover up your shortcomings and make the public believe that you're somehow a genius, that's when you're a great writer. These days writing skills alone won't make you great. You have to be a great sales person. You have to do book signings, do a whole bunch of interviews to get your sales. Just look at JK. Rowling. Her stuff is entertaining, but lets get serious. It's really crap. But we love reading it right? She's a billionaire now. Yeah I guess you can say she's a great writer.

Answer 3

I think it depends on what you are writing. If you write something that is like an essay than it would be easy to tell if you write well. If it flows, if the grammar and spelling are excellent, and if it is informative and original, then it is good or great.

If you are writing and want to be creative, it can be difficult to ever see yourself as good. Others will see your work as good or great, but just like in any other art form, you will be hardest on yourself. You are the only one that knows what went into your work, and you are the only one that knows where the ideas came from. Therefore, no one person will see it the same, and no one will ever see it the way you do.

Answer 4

To be honest, I think you will know after you've offered you work to a well known publisher, and they call you the next day, saying they're gonna release your work as soon as possible.

A good publisher will also let you know when what you write DOES suck like donkey balls, and hopefully they'll give you some free tips on what can be greatly improved in your work.

Answer 5

Join a writing group. Get feedback from other writers. You have to get input from other people. Meantime, you just keep writing, and if you are like me -- if you can read it a week later without wanting to puke, then you at least know it isn't a total wipe out. And in my opinion, the fact that you are unsure is a very good sign ! It means that you know there is more to it than using adjectives and having a plot.

Answer 6

1. When a publisher wants to publish it.
2. When, once it's published, people buy it, love it, and say great things about it.
3. Morning shows all over the nation want to interview you.
4. Movie producers want to buy movie rights to your book.
5. You win a Pulitzer for your book.

BUT FIRST, you have to silence your inner critic, and just start submitting stuff. Wallpaper your bathroom with sure-to-come rejection notices, keep writing, and keep submitting.

If worse comes to worst, you might be like Emily DIckinson... who was not discovered until after she was dead... You don't want that... so silence the critic and keep submitting...

Answer 7

I've been a pro writer for 40 years. It's all in the paychecks. If you are asking about your artistic ability, try going back and reading something you wrote a while back - if it 'pulls you in' then it's likely pretty good. If you are serious about writing, you will need at least one qualified collaborator. That person will tell you the truth of your works.

Answer 8

writing just takes practice. also i found it helps to have a clear outline of your thoughts. that way the paper is easier to read and doesnt go off on tangents. its always interesting to let a paper sit and then come back to it a day later. youll be amazed to see whats written and think that someone else must have written it. its easier to correct mistakes in syntax, structure or style.

of course, i say this but i always write my papers the day before they are do so i do not get this luxury :)

Answer 9

When you have that uncontrollable urge to put everything you feel in your heart & your head on paper.

Love Paulo Coelho - one of my fav writers - he is the best!

Answer 10

when you can stop thinking and start FEELING

when you can stop dreaming and start DOING

when you can connect with someone you dont even know with 2 words........................... I FEEL

good writing is about plot and characterisation---- great writing is about raw emotion, subtly delivered and skilfully crafted

even if you dont get published, you can continue to write.... writing isnt a career, its a passion; and you need to not experience it but LIVE IT

DEVILLICIOUS INC.
== BE THE CHANGE