I was talking about writing to my daughter Diana (a
non-writer) the other day. I commented that it was funny to me that one day
I'll be writing something thinking the entire time, "This is crap. This is
awful. Why did I ever think I could write? This is the most boring thing ever
written in the history of the world." Nevertheless, I keep at it, then
shut down the computer--or more likely, the program--without looking at it
again.
The next day I force myself to read over it and I think,
"This is pretty good. Not bad at all. Wonder why I thought the same piece of writing was so bad
yesterday?"
It also can happen that I'm writing what I'm sure is a
masterpiece, sniffling or laughing or just pleased that the words are flowing
like magic from my fingers. The next day I might think the same piece of writing is merely decent. (If I thought it was
great the first time I usually don't hate it the next day, but I don't always
see the brilliance.:)
My question is, why do I do that? What changes overnight?
It's not the writing. I fairly certain a gremlin doesn't come in there and
change crap to magic. Although that's an intriguing idea for a book. Hmm.
Where was I? Oh, yes, what changes? Attitude? Mood? I
suspect that has a lot to do with it. Or is it just the complexities of the
writer mind?
It's not just writers. I don't know about men, but I know
for a fact women do this about clothes. You put on jeans and a new top. "I
look good. Yeah, this shirt is flattering. I feel great." Then the next
day, you put on the same outfit and
think, "Ugh. Hide the mirror. Why did I buy this thing? What in the world
possessed me to think this looked good?"
Attitude? Mood? Beats the heck out of me. In the words of Shakespeare in Love, "It's a
mystery."
Have you had this happen to you? What do you think is the
answer?
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Thanks for having me, Lee!
4 comments:
Yeah we are our worst critics as we put too much pressure on ourselves.
mayipyoung@gmail.com
We live in a world where women are judged differently than men, so we react in the way we are judged--full of emotion and passion.
Oh, timing, given I just had to clean up a book written 20 years ago. I was appalled at some of the stuff. But at least I can say I've learned so much since!!
Thanks for commenting. Justine, sometimes older stuff is pretty cringe-inducing.:)
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