I think a writer's deepest insecurities come through after the writing is done. The little voice inside whispers, Are you sure you want someone to read this? What if they hate it and are afraid to tell you? What if you've wasted weeks, months or years on your book only to find out no one wants to publish it?
When can a writer finally relax? When she nabs an agent? When the agent gets her a publishing contract? When her publisher throws a ton of money at promotion? When the book debuts on the bestseller list? When there's a contract for a second book? When the second book succeeds?
At any moment there is the chance of failure. There is never a time when writing is a secure profession.
So that brings me back to my first question, who validates your writing?
I think only you can answer that question...
4 Comments on Who Validates Your Writing?, last added: 10/13/2010
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I guess it never ends.
This Friday, I saw Kate DiCamillo do a Q&A before the screening of her movie "Because of Winn Dixie". One child asked what she's working on now. She said, "In my better moments it's long and funny. In my worse moments it's long and funny and stupid." She makes a living from writing, has won several big awards, and two of her books have been made into movies.
For me, the "test" comes when I haven't looked at the book for a large chunk of time and then I read some of it. If it still makes me smile (or cry), if it still catches me up, then I feel pretty good. Obviously, this doesn't mean there aren't flaws or that the book is even publishable, but it does--as you say--validate for me what I did and my love/caring for the product.
Outside of that, my critique group, and--yes, hopefully an agent and editor eventually. :)
Well, honestly, I validate my writing. That said, when I finish a first draft, I don't quake in my boots, terrified that it's crap. I don't sing its praises, though, either.
Instead, I consider it to be phase-first-draft done. Or even draft five. Or ten. That particular phase is done, and it's time to get feedback.
And then there will be more work to do, because it's certainly not perfect. :)
Theresa - wow! What a great example. Thanks for sharing it. :)
Becky - That's a great way to approach your own work. I feel that way sometimes too. What I love is when I re-read and I think, "Did I actually write this? It's great!"
Tabitha - We should all be like you - that's fantastic. :)