It is a hard writing day today. I know it's partly because I'm coming back to the novel after what seems like a long break, but it's also because confidence seems to be running low.
I brought home a novel by an author last week, who I happen to know. She sold her first novel quite easily, and her second novel went on to become a huge success. And I thought she was a brilliant writer. Until I got home her first novel.
It's not that it's bad. It just doesn't suit my taste, I guess. I read the genre a lot, but the novel didn't really connect with me right from the beginning. The opening is amateurish at best, I thought. I'm now in the middle of it, and it seems to be getting better.
Then, of course, before I started writing today, I visited a writer's forum. Another writer I respect posted some of his work. Now, this writer has also published two novels, but the novels were not successful, and I don't even think he has a third book deal. Which is sad, because the excerpt he posted? It was bloody brilliant.
So there I was, sitting down to do my 800 words for the day, and I'm reading fantastic writing by this really talented writer, who wasn't successful in his fiction-writing career. And I'm thinking, I don't write half as well as this guy. What chance do I have?
As much as anyone else I suppose, as long as I keep getting those words out, paying attention to my story, and not giving up.
But you can see why it's been hard. 571 words so far today. More to come.
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