How 'Big' of a Writer Are You?

[Diane]

Answer honestly - to yourself.
Do you think that anything you write should be immediately published?
Are you really open to constructive criticism?
Would you recognize constructive criticism, if given?
Are you good at 'self-editing'?
Do you think editors are only there to ruin or change your work to fit their ideas and outlooks?
Do you post your works online without bothering to check your spelling or grammar?
Do you imagine that's part of your 'writers' charm?
Do you think because you think deep and expansively that your works are so much better than anyone else's?
Do you think you have a totally original voice?
Do you think the ease (or difficulty) of the creation of your words means you don't have anything else to learn?
Are you willing to learn?
Are you willing to be taught?
Are you willing to share your lessons with others?

Remember -
Creativity is a gift. Not all of us have it.
Writing is a craft. It can be learned by ANYONE. However, as with any craft it must be honed.

[Jill]

AMEN,&YES!!!Great Message &Blog Diane

[Anthony Beal]

Greetings, Diane:

These are great questions. Thank you for posting them. Here are my answers:

Q: Do you think that anything you write should be immediately published?
A: Not necessarily. I think that there is always room for improvement on any piece, and I'm receptive to all feedback that I receive. I realize that any piece I write is only a "masterpiece" (term used sarcastically) in my own eyes, but that those reading it might feel differently (and are perfectly entitled to), so if there are points that they feel need addressing, I'm more than happy to hear from them. I may not always agree, but I'm happy to hear alternate points of view.

Q: Are you really open to constructive criticism? Absolutely.
A: See above stated answer.

Q: Would you recognize constructive criticism, if given?
A: Yes. I have in the past received criticisms that I felt were very constructive and on point, and alternatively, I have received criticisms that felt personal and needlessly cruel. In those instances, I've not been shy in critiquing the critique. I feel like I'm too old to let people say whatever they want to me without having to answer for it, so I will never bite my tongue in that regard.

Q: Are you good at 'self-editing'?
A:I hope so! (grins) At least I try to be. One writing exercise of which I am fond and in which I frequently indulge is trying to tell a complete story in 100 words or less. The story must have a beginning, middle, and end. It's a great tool for paring ideas down to their most effective, and cutting out any superfluous words.

Q: Do you think editors are only there to ruin or change your work to fit their ideas and outlooks?
A: Not at all. Editors are there to catch any missteps I may have made, and to offer me points of view that I might not have considered.

Q: Do you post your works online without bothering to check your spelling or grammar?
A: Never. I do my best to check anything I post three or four times. This isn't to say I've never posted something and later caught a mistake; only that I try my best to avoid it.

Q: Do you imagine that's part of your 'writers' charm?
A: No. Not at all. Typos and grammatical errors (excluding the deliberate sort sometimes employed in spoken dialogue for characterization's sake) don't charm me.

Q: Do you think because you think deep and expansively that your works are so much better than anyone else's?
A: Not at all. I'm sure everyone thinks highly of their own work (as well they should), but I focus more on writing the best piece I can than on writing better than so-and-so.

Q: Do you think you have a totally original voice?
A: I'm not sure there is such a thing. I think that "original" is a subjective term. Surely, every voice is unique in its own way, but so many centuries' worth of writing have been recorded that I'm not sure there's any such thing as a completely "original", never-been-done-before story or voice. I think that any voice will have comparisons made by readers between it and some other writer. The best we can do is to be mindful of this as we write, and hopefully, try not to mimic anyone too closely.

Q: Do you think the ease (or difficulty) of the creation of your words means you don't have anything else to learn?
A: "The more I learn, the more learn how much I have to learn." - Charlie Brown.

Q: Are you willing to learn?
A: See above answer.

Q: Are you willing to be taught?
A: Ditto above.

Q: Are you willing to share your lessons with others?
A: Absolutely! I want to one day have disciples!

[Diane]

Ah yes . . . disciples! Since you are a horror writer, there is no way I'm asking the type of disciple.
Fantastic answers and great advice. I'm not so sure I could have been as honest. I am definitely going to try and promote the 100 word story routine.

[Bianca Walker]

Q. Do you think that anything you write should be immediately published?
A. No. It's taken years for me to even share my writing.

Q.Are you really open to constructive criticism?
Would you recognize constructive criticism, if given?
A. Absolutely. I look for constructive criticism in almost all aspects of my life.

Q.Are you good at 'self-editing'?
A. There are professional editors for a reason! lol

Q.Do you think editors are only there to ruin or change your work to fit their ideas and outlooks?
A.Not at all.

Q.Do you post your works online without bothering to check your spelling or grammar?
A.Sometimes, because I'm usually sneaking while I'm at work :)

Q.Do you imagine that's part of your 'writers' charm?
A. I am not yet sure what my writer's charm is. That is why I need that constructive criticism.

Q. Do you think because you think deep and expansively that your works are so much better than anyone else's?
A. No. I don't seek depth in my writing or anyone else's. I'm fond of language. The simplest non-depth conversation can have the greatest meaning depending on the words used to explain.

Q. Do you think you have a totally original voice?
A. No. I don't find anything in writing to be totally original. It may have a different approach, but not completely original.

Q. Do you think the ease (or difficulty) of the creation of your words means you don't have anything else to learn?
A. I have a lot to learn.

Q. Are you willing to learn?
A. Always....

Q. Are you willing to be taught?
A. I've taught myself through many failures how to learn and listen. I think it's time for me to share that lesson with others.

[momowilly]

I'll talk a stab!

Do you think that anything you write should be immediately published?
Many poems and essays I write are related to current events, so those I like to publish online immediately, but only to bring about conversation from others who might not otherwise be aware of said event or a particular perspective. My more indepth work needs to be shelved and reviewed with new eyes before unleashing.

Are you really open to constructive criticism?
Extremely! I love when others have something to offer. Even if I disagree, it's valuable because I can evaluate my work from a reader's perspective and ultimately they are the audience, not me.

Would you recognize constructive criticism, if given?
Yes, I have in the past. It's been helpful.

Are you good at 'self-editing'?
I edit while I work, not after.

Do you think editors are only there to ruin or change your work to fit their ideas and outlooks?
No, they don't have time for that. They'd rather get a product ready to push than to change someone else's work.

Do you post your works online without bothering to check your spelling or grammar?
I always check it, but I edit while I type. Grammar and I are bedfellows.

Do you imagine that's part of your 'writers' charm?
No, that's a lazy excuse. There's no effective communication in poorly edited work. Slang and colloquialisms add charm but quotation marks and parentheses make it clearer.

Do you think because you think deep and expansively that your works are so much better than anyone else's?
Never. There are many other reasons my works are so much better than anyone else's.

Do you think you have a totally original voice?
I've been told that more than a few times, but I think everything has been already said in this world. I'd call my voice fresh and edgy.

Do you think the ease (or difficulty) of the creation of your words means you don't have anything else to learn?
Quite the opposite. I study and hone my craft every day. My work today should be less impressive than tomorrow's or I'm not improving.

Are you willing to learn?
The most valuable lessons are those after you realize you know nothing.

Are you willing to be taught?
Every day!

Are you willing to share your lessons with others?
Such is my mission in life!