Is it normal for an artist not to like his or her own work?

Question

I love writing novels, and I have actually been working on one for about seven months, and it was just yesterday that I began re-reading it again, and I didn't quite like it.... I don't know why, if I had always loved the plot of my book before, that yesterday, I just started thinking: "This is not very good..."

I had only read my book once before, after I finished the first draft. Then, I finished writing the second draft yesterday, and I didn't like it... Not only did I start questioning my writing, but the whole plot of my book. For one moment, I actually said: "This is garbage!".... Is it normal for an artist not to appreciate much their own work, not being convinced about what they've just done, or is it wrong for me to feel that way?

Answer 1

I totally disagree. I don't think it is normal at all. But that is what your second draft is for. To fix it. Quite honestly, I have never had those feelings. I have always been excited and pleased with my work, although I have been able to improve on it with drafts. This is your baby. You are bringing this thing into the world and you want people to read it and love it. If you approach your second draft thinking the book is garbage, you are going to infect the manuscript with those thoughts. PUT IT AWAY!! You have done a heap of work on the first draft. Nothing says you have to start the second draft the next day. Give yourself some time away from it. Enjoy the last days of summer. Go do something fun. Go to the beach, a ballgame. a picnic. Spend some time catching up with the friends you've been neglecting while you've been busy. When the weather turns cold and you are more or less stuck indoors more, read it again - only this time read it more critically. Right now you are just too close to it. You are feeling a huge letdown from having finished the first draft. You need space. My guess is a month from now, after some time kicking up your heels and enjoying yourself, you won't feel the same way. Pax - C

Answer 2

Many artists do exactly what you did. They create then look at it afterwards and they see everything wrong and many discard.

Best is to have another person read your work and give you an honest review. Some authors would not have released their books as they were more critical than the critics, but the publisher and critic thought otherwise.

If you go through history it is normal after an artist or writer dies the family or others find several mauscripts or paintings that never saw the light of day as the creator did not like them and threw them aside.

Answer 3

I don't know if it would be considered "normal", but at the very least it isn't uncommon. There have been numerous moments, both during the writing process and afterward, that I have questioned my writing. I've questioned every single aspect from my characters to my plots to the word choice and grammar. I think it happens to me whenever I start to get content with something. I always get the feeling that I need to rewrite again or at least tweek something.

Answer 4

Most do.

I know that when I read what I write it's good, but I will not let anybody read it until it meets my ridiculous seal of approval. You're always too critical of yourself, but it's helpful. It breeds modesty, which is an excellent quality.

Answer 5

It is perfectly normal....a lot of artists in all outlets of creativity hate their own work. That is why they rely on critics and other people to tell them whether it is good or not

Answer 6

Of course! It's because, since you yourself are the writer, you know exactly what to expect while reading it.

Answer 7

yes! totally! i say that about everything i write all the time! it really sucks to think that way, i know, and i usually end up trashing my ideas even though people say that they are good!