The Insecure Writer’s Support Group ~ No#10

 I'm going to share a piece that I read a while back, which really stuck with me…

 “Nobody tells this to people who are beginners, I wish someone told me. All of us who do creative work, we get into it because we have good taste. But there is this gap. For the first couple years you make stuff, it’s just not that good. It’s trying to be good, it has potential, but it’s not. But your taste, the thing that got you into the game, is still killer. And your taste is why your work disappoints you. A lot of people never get past this phase, they quit. Most people I know who do interesting, creative work went through years of this. We know our work doesn’t have this special thing that we want it to have. We all go through this. And if you are just starting out or you are still in this phase, you gotta know its normal and the most important thing you can do is do a lot of work. Put yourself on a deadline so that every week you will finish one story.

It is only by going through a volume of work that you will close that gap, and your work will be as good as your ambitions. And I took longer to figure out how to do this than anyone I've ever met. It's gonna take awhile. It's normal to take awhile. You've just gotta fight your way through." IRA GLASS.

Volumes? Yep, I can do that.

Gonna take awhile? Yep, I can live with that too.

Gotta fight your way through? Bring it on!!

Quitting? Not on the cards!

Now head over to Alex's blog, where you can read an assortment of rants and raves from other insecure writers at the Insecure Writer's Support Group.

26 Comments

  1. Julie on October 3, 2012 at 7:44 am

    Thanks for sharing these words of wisdom Michelle! I'm still in the "it's gonna take awhile" phase.

  2. Kyra Lennon on October 3, 2012 at 7:45 am

    I love a bit of motivation! The only way to succeed is to keep on trying! 😀

  3. Elise Fallson on October 3, 2012 at 8:41 am

    You're really amazing Michelle, I wish I could reach over the gap and hug you silly. I so needed to read this. 

  4. Stacey Mitchell on October 3, 2012 at 9:11 am

    Wow, that's inspirational 🙂 They always say practice makes perfect, but why does it never feel that way? Reading something like this makes me think that one day I might get there! (Not perfect, lol, but better…)

  5. Alex J. Cavanaugh on October 3, 2012 at 11:30 am

    Great attitude! Do or die. Just keep writing and it will happen.

  6. Shelly on October 3, 2012 at 1:10 pm

    Me neither.
    Great post!
    Hugs and chocolate,
    Shelly
     

  7. L. Diane Wolfe on October 3, 2012 at 9:38 pm

    It does take volumes and most people aren't willing to do that.

  8. Nas on October 3, 2012 at 10:37 pm

    Hi Michelle,
     
    Very inspiration post. People tend to stop when they encounter the first hurdle not realising that it is only the first of many hurdles yet!

  9. Anne on October 4, 2012 at 10:04 am

    Positive attitude – that's the secret! Great post Michelle!

  10. mary aalgaard on October 4, 2012 at 1:58 pm

    I like that part about artist having good taste and that's why we're so hard on ourselves. We also have vision. When we don't quite make what we envisioned, we get frustrated. But, we can keep going. Never give up. Keep your focus on the vision!

  11. C. Lee McKenzie on October 4, 2012 at 10:19 pm

    So absolutely true. Glad you're not tossing in the towel. That will be the one way you can guarantee failure.

  12. Michael Di Gesu on October 4, 2012 at 10:37 pm

    Truer words were never spoken. I can attest to that. It does take YEARS. In every creative veture I sought it has taken many years to succed.Writing is a realitively new obsession, and yes, I have been at it for years, and I AM CLOSING that gab… hopefully soon.
     
    Thanks for the shot in the arm, Michelle.
     

  13. Kimberly Gabriel on October 4, 2012 at 11:58 pm

    I love this!! So glad I stopped by to read it. Very inspiring!

  14. Sherry Ellis on October 5, 2012 at 2:26 am

    Great advice!  Practice makes perfect!

  15. Tyrean on October 5, 2012 at 2:16 pm

    Great advice! I love it!

  16. Carol Kilgore on October 5, 2012 at 9:21 pm

    So true. Never give up.
    Happy Weekend!

  17. The Golden Eagle on October 6, 2012 at 1:15 am

    That's an excellent quote. It's always reassuring to hear other writers have gone through the same thing!

  18. Rose on October 6, 2012 at 2:39 am

    Since you saw my post, you know your post was EXACTLY what I needed. Thanks for inspiring me.

  19. jabblog uk. on October 6, 2012 at 10:08 am

    Good advice, though sometimes it's hard to follow it;-)

  20. Medeia Sharif on October 7, 2012 at 6:44 am

    These are words to live and write by. I've come across people who gave up when they needed more time and practice. 

  21. tara tyler on October 8, 2012 at 2:42 am

    so glad to hear your determination! hope it rubs off on me!

  22. Karen Lange on October 8, 2012 at 1:57 pm

    I think attitude is most of the battle. Thanks so much for sharing this! 🙂

  23. michelle on October 9, 2012 at 10:08 am

    THANK YOU TO EVERYBODY FOR THE VISITS AND WONDERFUL COMMENTS!!  🙂 🙂 🙂

  24. Lexa Cain on October 14, 2012 at 11:13 pm

    Go Michelle! I love your attitude. I need to keep that attitude in my heart and head, especially while I'm in the dreaded query process and my self-confidence is being stomped on.
    Thanks for the quote and the demonstration of a positive outlook! 🙂

  25. joylene on October 17, 2012 at 4:25 pm

    It's so kewl that you chose Nancy's book. Hi Michelle. I'm #192 on Alex's IWSG list. It's very nice to meet you. I'm also participating in the #NoticeBook.

  26. Debra Elliott on October 28, 2012 at 1:42 pm

    Great attitude. Thank for stopping by my blog and IWSG post.

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