Wednesday, February 5, 2014

More Than You Think

Time again for the Insecure Writer's Support Group monthly sharing of our insecurities and the offering of support to each other. This group is the brainchild of our Ninja Captain, Alex J. Cavanaugh. You can also join in the fun and find links to all the participants on the IWSG website. Hop on over there and be part of it.

I belong to my local chapter of RWA called Central Pennsylvania Romance Writers. We meet the first Saturday of every month, sharing news and helping each other with whatever questions we might have. Sometimes we have guest speakers. Last Saturday one of our authors shared what she'd learned at a workshop on pacing. She did a terrific job, providing us with an outline and going over lots of information and giving examples.

I love taking notes. As I sat there with pencil poised, I waited for those lovely new ideas that would help me improve my writing. A strange thing happened. As she shared the information, I realized I was doing or at least trying to do everything she talked about. As I silently tested my WIP, comparing it to the information given, I found it fit the suggestions. Though I didn't consciously think about those exact pacing parameters, I was doing it correctly. What is my point?

I'm a rather confident person in most areas of my life, except for my writing. I just don't feel I have expertise in any part of this business. But once in a while, I find out that I know more than I think I know. And most of us struggling along in this up and down business also know more than we think we know. Lots of us have some expertise to share. Think about what you knew when you first sat down at that keyboard and typed the first sentence of you novel or story with what you know now about story structure, pacing, editing, publishing, marketing and many other things. You know more than you think you know.

What areas of writing do you feel confident in and which are not your area of expertise? Would you feel comfortable teaching a class in one of those areas? Have you visited the IWSG blog and some other participants?

On a bonus note today, if you want to read a perfectly paced novel, check out this special week long sale of CassaFire by Alex J. Cavanaugh. Only .99 for this week.

26 comments:

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Gotta love it when you find out you know more than you realised. A great confidence booster :)

Annalisa Crawford said...

It's always reassuring when you realise you discover you're doing it right!

Stephanie Faris said...

RWA is how I honed my craft and gained that confidence...it really does come with practice and time. Of course, insecurities are always there, no matter what, but the more you write, the less you stop and think about it, if that makes sense!

stu said...

I know I've been buying a lot of 'how to write' books recently, out of this vague idea that I should learn to do it properly, even though I make my living from writing. So I think that lack of confidence shows up everywhere.

Madeline Mora-Summonte said...

It's always such a great moment when you realize you know more than you think you do, when you realize you've learned and applied techniques, and improved your craft and grew as a writer. :)

Liz Blocker said...

I have to say I'm not surprised to hear that you know more than you think you know :) Your blog is always written with poise, confidence, and skill, and it's one of the reasons I keep coming back to read it. I understand the feeling, though, and it's a really good point you make. We all focus on what we DON'T know, and sometimes it's good to step back, and remember what we DO know. Thanks, Susan!

Bossy Betty said...

I loved this because it is so true! We do know more than we think--we just believe those other voices sometimes. Time to listen to our own voice!

Michael Di Gesu said...

Hi, Susan.

We learn new things every day. And yes, we do have the AHA moments. Most of us have insecurities about our creative projects. Because we are artists and sensitive. We want our works to be admired, appreciated, and yes, loved.

I am thankful I do have a few strong points in my writing. Description, creating atmosphere, setting the stage, and dialogue are my gifts. And I would be more than comfortable teaching them. I have a passion for the arts, beauty, and the spoken word.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

That's cool when the revelation hits you that you're doing it right. When I learned of Blake Snyder's Fifteen Beats, I compared it to my second book and realized I'd already hit them. Bonus!
And thanks for mentioning CassaFire today.

Chrys Fey said...

I don't have a degree in English Literature, and I was always self-conscious about that as if it reflected upon my writing, but I am a great writer even without a diploma. Whenever I look back at my first real writings from when I was twelve, and then seventeen when I made it my mission to become published, I can see the progress I've made and my own expertise. I definitely know more than I think I do. :)

Pat Hatt said...

Is grand when you learn you do know a thing or two in your land. I just be as crazy as can be and let it fly free, hmm that sounds rather bad lol

Misha Gerrick said...

I sometimes think we learn these skills subconsciously as we read and write.

It's always awesome to discover how much we've learned, though.

Robin said...

I think we learn so much simply by doing. My writing feels different now that I am almost to the end of my WiP than it did when I started. I know that will create problems with "voice" but I am still glad. I want to always be on that road to improvement.

M.J. Fifield said...

Well, I don't know that I'd feel comfortable teaching anything, but I have had those moments where I found out I was on the right path, that I did know more than I had thought.

Those a nice moments.

Patrick Stahl said...

It definitely feels good when you're listening to writers talk about writing and you already know 90% of what they're saying. I've learned a LOT in the past two years.

Julie Musil said...

I had this same experience when I took a writing course. I asked the teacher how I'd know if I was applying the lessons correctly. She said I was doing it naturally. That was such a relief!

Gina Gao said...

It's true that you know more than you realize. It just takes time.

www.modernworld4.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

When I'm writing I know what sounds and feels right without trying to recall all the rules and advice, of which there's just so much. When I stop to think about it, I don't feel confident, but when I'm in the middle of writing, it feels natural.

Mark Koopmans said...

Yeah, I have a feeling that if I attended a "real" writing class, I would be nodding my head a lot :)

I may not know what IT is really called, but I seem to be following a lot of the rules (thank goodness :)

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

I've experienced that feeling. There's a peace that accompanies it. Enjoy, Susan.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

I'm not as confident with the writing as I am with what comes after it - the publishing and promoting part.

The Happy Whisk said...

So a good day indeed. Cool beans.

Did you draw any happy faces in your notes once you realized you were doing what you needed to be for yourself?

Shannon Lawrence said...

It's always nice to make a discovery like that! I found at recent events that people look to me for answers in aspects of writing, and it caught me by surprise. I guess I've soaked up a lot of information. Now to put it into practice more!

The Warrior Muse

Anonymous said...

Sometimes I feel just like a yo-yo when it comes to my writing abilities. When I'm up, I feel I can do no wrong. That doesn't last though because something always throws me back toward the ground (at least then I am still hanging on by a thread).

I'm glad you're on the upswing and I hope you get to do some tricks and turns that keep you there a long time (jeez...I can really wear out a metaphor).

Leanne Ross ( readfaced.wordpress.com & @LeanneRossRF )

LD Masterson said...

I love it when I read an instructional article and I can honestly say, yup, I'm doing that, and that, and that. But teaching a class...nope, not that confident.

Unknown said...

I understand what you mean. Writing is so personal and, when it's really important to you, it can be hard to be confident. I think I'm a pretty darn good writer, but every time I'm about to share something with my critique partners I feel panicky. What if I'm not that good? What if they think it's complete rubbish? It's a horrible feeling, but it usually passes because of the great advice from my CPs. I hope the same's true for you :)