Saturday, July 28, 2007

The writer's companion

It seems that as I come in contact with more writers, whatever their level of experience and/or expertise and/or success, there is a common thread, aside from the fact that we all love to write, that binds us.

Insecurity.

Sure, some seem more comfortable in their own voice than others, but there is something about submitting your work that is reminiscent of walking out on the beach in a terribly small bikini (or speedo, for the men). It's saying "this is what I've got. I hope you find something you like," even though the exposed is painfully aware of any imperfections, real or perceived.

The term "brainchild" is ever appropriate. Once you've created a piece, groomed it, loved it, it becomes something intimately yours. You send your child off to school to interact with the other children and their teachers. If your child does something wrong and someone politely lets you know, you appreciate it so that you may correct the wayward behavior. But if someone is critical or brutal to your child, instinct takes over and the desire to lash out, to defend, to protect is strong. The thing you love has been hurt, and therefore, so have you.

Why is it that in this field there seems to be such an overt presence of insecurity. Are we, as writers, really more fearful of rejection than people in other fields, or are we just more expressive about it because, hey, that's what we do?

My question is, do you think that the Stephen Kings and J.K. Rowlings still get nervous about submitting work, that nailbiting feeling one gets until someone gives some substantial validation? Or have their repeated and overwhelming successes given them a confidence that little people like me only dream of possessing?

What do you think? How do you feel about sharing your writing with the world?


And the vocabulary word of the day is:
CARP (not the fish) - verb - To find fault in a disagreeable manner; complain fretfully

4 comments:

Jaye Wells said...

You know, I think a lot of the insecurity is a result of the subjective nature of judging creative endeavors. You never know how your work is going to be judged. When I'm working on something for submission, eventually I have to just take a deep breath and bite the bullet.

BTW love the bikini analogy

Hoodie said...

Jaye, I think you're right about the subjective thing. Opinion and taste play into it so heavily. I guess that's why the opinion of those we respect and admire mean so much more.

SzélsőFa said...

Hello I've been there, too.
You say insecurity, I reply Exposition.
That's what we do. Expose what we have inside. but not all writers are happy extrovertists.
The tiny speedo at the beach - so true it hurts.

Re famous writers not being insecure? I don't know. Perhaps it is not connected to fame...

I'm glad I've found this site.
Wishing you success in writing!

See my entry at #13 (you probably already have seen it).
I have two blogs - one is dedicated to writing one special short story the other is about everything else.
If you have time pls take a look at it. You might like it.

Hoodie said...

Szelsofa - so glad you dropped by. Thanks for your well wishes. Right back atcha.

I also have a personal blog, which I've been doing for quite some time. I just started up this blog so that I could write with a little more freedom and have a place to really concentrate on my goals as a writer. I'm keeping the two separate to maintain a certain level of anonimity