Question for the Authors (writers..)?

Question

When you write a book ( which is what i'm trying to do) I never seem to be satisfied with my work! Does this happens to you guys?? How do you over come it??

Answer 1

First you rewrite. As many times as you need. And remember rewriting doesn't always mean adding, sometimes it means taking away. Work it as much as you feel you can. I get to the stage I call burnishing - or polishing.

Then finally, it is time to put it in the hands of an editor and let them have at it. They are your best hope at overcoming your fear that it isn't right yet.

Let an editor guide you -- gently. They have experience with publishers. They know what sells. They know how to pace a book -- where you need more detail, where you need to shorten it. Let them make margin notes for you. Then you can go back and make decisions based on those notes.

It is worth it to pay an editor to do this before you shop the book around because once you sell it to a publisher, they will edit it and you will have NO choice in the edits whatsoever. Your contract will give those rights away.

So what you want to do is get an editor to work with you first when you have the opportunity to tweak it rather than letting someone else tear it apart in a way that you might not necessarily approve of. A sweep through editor is worth their weight in gold. Hire one. Having one can improve your chances of selling by 100%.

And by the way, I disagree with those who say you will never be totally happy. I always end up totally loving my work, very happy and very satisfied. Pax - C

Answer 2

There is a limit to the style of writing that will be accepted.
At our publishers, Reid+Prince, and many younger services
such as university press, or catholic free press, the rule is the
point. I will mention several writing styles that can get printed,
and sold, or published, distributed. Freelance, is a type of writer
that gives a native ethnic sometimes, or political meaning to the
opinion expressed. Poetic writers still exist, though this is a rare
talent being cohesive or interesting all the way in one talent of
language. Books that are all time classics may be poetic writers. This being a wise and intellectual selection of fun sound.
If you are stuck here, is common at the beginning of a great book, so consider the following. Author the actual word is derivate of authorization, showing that knowledge is a key ingredient. To write and impart knowledge, or ideas is the essence of writing.
Review what you are trying to teach and consider using the other two styles in the dominated area of knowledge is stronger.
Music, or Art work are medium to make the ambiance, or the mood more positive. Even listening to your favorite tape mix is that solid of a mood performer that you will probably flow. Some 30% of the best sellers use art scenary to set the mood. Okay your agent rests my tutor. Keep reading about writers and how to
publish.

Answer 3

Write now, then edit. If you keep going back as you write you'll get so discouraged you won't finish.

We are our own worst critics. That's very true. And the longer you hold on to a piece you're working on to "make it better" the less likely you are to ever be satisfied with it. Sometimes you have to just accept that what you have done is your best for that work and move on. You may never like it.

In comparison, several famous actors throughout history have hated the roles that catapulted them to stardom--because they always felt it could have been better, that they could have done better. But the audience disagreed.

Answer 4

I wouldn't worry too much about your own opinion, it tends to get caught up with a lot of other issues and is hardly ever objective. Franz Kafka thought that his writings were worthless, so he never published most of them, and ordered his executor to burn the manuscripts. Turns out he was wrong. Mark Twain thought that "Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc" was a better novel than "Huckleberry Finn". Not quite.

So get somebody else to read your work and get an honest assessment of it. You can try friends, or join a writers group where you live. Even put a partial or complete manuscript up on the web.

Answer 5

Yeah, it happens to me all the time. I will be going back and reading through my work, and I'll be thinking- this stinks, is it good? is it bad? am I the only one that is going to like this? AM I the only one that relates to the characters? Ive found that having a close friend or relative read parts of your work helps, because you can get an outsiders view. But I think that as long as you enjoy what you are writing, then other people will too. You just have to read and reread and put all of your doubts and concerns behind you. If you can do this, your writing will be excellent.

Answer 6

You'd better get used to "never being satisfied." After you've done the first draft and then gone back and done the second and perhaps the third, etc. you'll eventually get to the point where nothing you change seems to improve what you have.
You won't "be satisfied"; it won't be "perfect" - but that's when you know you have the final draft.

Answer 7

that happens to me all the time! i will write a few pages and then have to stop writing to go do something else and when i start writing again i think it all sounds too stupid, so i end up re-writing it.

what i have been trying to do to over come it is tell myself that my writing does not sound stupid and tell myself that even if i am not compleatly satified with my work that i can always edit it later.

i hope this helps you!

Answer 8

Never! I have written a book of children's poetry that was published and I still see changes that should have been made. "Leta's Little book for children". I make jewelry too and feel the same way. Perfection is not for us mortals.

Answer 9

I sit back, look at the parts which suck, and dump them into a clipboard file for later.

Then I start over from the point which either my writing started to head south, or I start over from scratch--using a different approach.

Answer 10

Everyone is their own biggest critic. The best thing to do is to get someone you trust to be your proof reader. They'll tell you if it sucks. Make sure it's someone who's honest, though. Some people might try to spare your feelings by telling you something is good when it's not... Good luck!