Does anyone else ever doubt themselves as a writer? I’m taking a magazine writing class at my university, and when my pieces come back critiqued, I worry whether or not I’ll ever be good enough for this industry. I realize there’s always room for improvement, but another part of me feels like you either have talent or you don’t. I hope I can grow and learn as a writer - I’m in love with the mag industry, as are all of you, I’m sure - but what if I just never get there?
Mostly a rant I suppose, just needed an outlet to think out loud and perhaps identify with some of you.
Use this time to develop your voice
I would disagree with the other poster’s assertion that your professor is critiquing your work out of jealousy; that would be immensely unprofessional and seems rather unlikely. I would definitely tell you not to give up, though. If your professor only likes 1 or 2 sentences, look at those two sentences—what makes them the best? You can definitely ask for feedback on what makes your work good as well as what is wrong with it. I would say, honestly, not to bother giving your work to your friends unless they’re very strong writers themselves, as most people can identify really bad writing, but they can’t necessarily offer constructive feedback. Find a few fellow writers whose opinions and class work you respect and work with them on critiquing each others’ work. Critiques are good things, don’t be afraid to see lots of edits on your pieces.
The other thing to remember is that everyone has their own spin on things. I used to work for an editor-in-chief who absolutely loved his first-person, name-dropping style and had made a whole career out of writing that way—if I had taken a red pen and edited his work to my own taste, it would have looked like it was dripping blood by the time I was done. Use your time in school to work on developing your voice (read a lot of other journalists and nonfiction writers, and write in all different formats to see what your strengths are) and learn to differentiate criticisms of your content and holes in your story from criticisms of your style (although those are sometimes valid, if your own voice is getting in the way of the story—but you get the picture!). Nothing you write will ever be perfect the first time or come back without any edits at all; just work as hard as you can on making sure your work is as good as you know it can be, and be confident that someone will eventually respond to that.
The other OTHER thing to remember is that if you’re ever in the mood for a really brutal and honest critique of your work, working in publishing is the best way to find people who can give that to you. If you are, in fact, totally talentless and no one will ever publish you under any circumstances, you’ll find out pretty quickly, but I seriously doubt the situation is that dire :)
I have been there
Before I graduated this past yr., I took a required writing class. No matter what I wrote, the professor always found criticism. I had written 3 pgs., the professor only likes 1-2 sentences. Sometimes, I would question myself is this for me & I would dread going to the class each week thinking maybe this prof. is seeing something I don’t want to see. Then I realize the critique is just an opinion that is neither right nor wrong.
As much as it hurts, take each criticism with a grain of salt. Infact, when I showed my work to other students for a group critique, they found minor mistakes, but even they didn’t understand why the professor did not like what I wrote. As cliche as it sounds, sometimes when people critique your work, they are either geninuely helping you or they could be jealous.
It is completely natural to have doubts. Even when I write now, it will take me a couple of hrs just to get my thoughts in order [writer’s block]. Once I get rolling, the words flow like crazy.
You are the only one who knows what is best for you. When you get the corrections put them to good use. I don’t know if this helps you, but keep a journal & write everyday: whether it is a sentence or paragraph & read. Doing this, helps build vocabulary & structure. You can even work with your writing professor or friends to help you write better. They can point out things. And if you feel your story is good as is, then don’t be afraid to say so. Sometimes the writers who are criticized the most turn out to be the best writers.
You may not think so now, but you will feel confident about your writing if you continue to practice & walk out of the classroom with an I can do this attitude & I’m going to be okay. Even if you have to write a paper over 3-4 times. You might start to pick out things before someone else does. Take each criticism as experience, like learning something new. Then when you get a job, you will realize this was all worth it. I hope this helps. And don’t be ashamed to vent, we all need someone to listen to when we are feeling frustrated.
I don’t think professors
I don’t think professors are there to be jealous. They’re there to do exactly what they’re doing: critiquing and making you realize an even higher potential.
Thank you!
Thank you so much for your insight and advice, I really appreciate it. I’m going to try and remain positive and work hard on my writing - growing and learning from my mistakes.