I suppose the question I ought to ask is, am I wasting my time with writing? As a naturaly creative person and after many years of writing essay for educational purposes, i've decided to try my hand at writing in my spare time and with a great idea (I presume everyone thinks their ideas are great) I've started to write. But how do I know if its for me, I suppose there isn't anybody there to tell you if you're going wrong, off track or simply writing rubbish.
A mere 3,000 words into writing and I am questioning if this is for me, do I stop now or let my creativity flow? I imagine that every writer, writes with the intention of their work being published and I am rather surprised at how many novels are dismissed by publishing houses.
In a nutshell any advice would be most welcome by a complete and utter literary novice.
Dan
Hi Dan.
I can understand how you feel. My question is. Do you enjoy writing? If your answer is Yes, then carry on writing.
When I started, my Experience and Confidence was Low, and my Passion and Expectation was High.
As time has passed, these Traits have equaled out and I now feel more Confident with my writing.
My advice is - Make Enjoyment your Aim.
I did and still do make Enjoyment my number 1 priority and I have been writing stories and poetry now for 10 years.
Hope this helps - Maurice
From one novice to another, I'd say that anyone writes primarily for themselves, and if a publisher likes it, that's an added bonus. The first (and only) novel I am seriously considering submitting is one I had written anyway, just because I like writing.
Mark
Hi Dan.
I had the same dilemma as you when I first started. Over a year later I am just about finished my first draft (100,000+). Of course like everyone else, we would all like to see our finished product put to print, but during the process, I found that I was also writing for me, and how much I enjoyed it.
As to finding out if it's any good, there are various sites you can join to help answer those questions. Be aware though, you will need a thick skin and be willing to respond and critique other peoples pieces of work, but believe me it helps. From the groups I have joined, I have received some amazing advice, which has helped tremendously, but on the other hand, I have also received comments were the person giving the advice has wanted me to re-write the whole thing using their suggestions, so you have to learn to take the good with the bad so to speak.
In the end to know if writing is for you, well, only you can answer that question.
Sarah.