Okay, you can't possibly be smart enough to write something like this and at the same time honestly think that it sucks. Or at least you've gotta be smart enough that you know that some of the self-criticism we have for our own writing is legit and some of it is just bullshit that comes from the over-all skepticism that causes a smart person to write in the first place.
That first kind of criticism is more like instinct- looking at a page of writing and seeing all the little spots that need tightening up, some adjusting. That kind is the the right kind of criticism because it's about getting the work where we know it's supposed to go. That second kind of criticism, though, we don't have to pay any attention to that. That's just automatic, the backlash that can come after an outburst of confident, unself-conscious expression. Just ignore that shit. It will always say No, Not Enough, Wrong, Coulda Shoulda Woulda.
Writers, writing- it just comes with doubt and ambivalence, comes FROM doubt and ambivalence. But instinctively, you wrote this, then tweaked and then knew this short piece of work felt done. Any crap that comes along after that point? Is just knee-jerk. Ignore it.
Because this is REALLY well-written. Totally nuanced and complete, lovely, smart, from the gut. It shines.
For what ever stupid reason, writers are vulnerable to words. Even our own words. This piece of writing does not suck. So knock that shit off.
I would never say so many personal things in a stupid-ass comment without a compelling reason. But I had to here. Because it's important. You really have a gift. And that makes me wanna cheer. But you oughtta get to get to cheer too. Save that suck stuff for something that actually sucks. But this? Give this a big smooch and hug it like a stuffed bunny.
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Date: 2010-07-05 10:24 am (UTC)That first kind of criticism is more like instinct- looking at a page of writing and seeing all the little spots that need tightening up, some adjusting. That kind is the the right kind of criticism because it's about getting the work where we know it's supposed to go. That second kind of criticism, though, we don't have to pay any attention to that. That's just automatic, the backlash that can come after an outburst of confident, unself-conscious expression. Just ignore that shit. It will always say No, Not Enough, Wrong, Coulda Shoulda Woulda.
Writers, writing- it just comes with doubt and ambivalence, comes FROM doubt and ambivalence. But instinctively, you wrote this, then tweaked and then knew this short piece of work felt done. Any crap that comes along after that point? Is just knee-jerk. Ignore it.
Because this is REALLY well-written. Totally nuanced and complete, lovely, smart, from the gut. It shines.
For what ever stupid reason, writers are vulnerable to words. Even our own words. This piece of writing does not suck. So knock that shit off.
I would never say so many personal things in a stupid-ass comment without a compelling reason. But I had to here. Because it's important. You really have a gift. And that makes me wanna cheer. But you oughtta get to get to cheer too. Save that suck stuff for something that actually sucks. But this? Give this a big smooch and hug it like a stuffed bunny.