What to do when you think your writing is terrible

If you think your writing is bad, you're probably right and that's ok! No one writes great stuff the first time, it takes a lot of editing and rewriting. So here are some tips from Joanna Penn at http://www.TheCreativePenn.com

* Write anyway, just get it on the page and ignore that little critical voice. Just get the words out, then later you can add in movement and action so the dialogue adds to the scene.
* Some very cool ideas come when you just let it all out, so don't censor that first round of writing. Also be kind to yourself and accepting of where you are in the process. You have to start with more than a blank page.
* "Writing is rewriting" - Michael Crichton. You have a lot of editing to do later, so don't worry about that first draft. Just write!

Category:

Education

Tags:

• writing
• write book
• write fiction
• write novel
• writing tips

[GideonShalwick]

Some awesome tips there Joanna!

Really loved the one about "writing is re-writing" from the Jurassic Park dude!

Oh, and I have just subbed to your vids too!

Congrats on your YouTube badge too! This is the beginning of some awesome things for you!

Gideon Shalwick

[thecreativepenn]

@GideonShalwick Thanks so much for your support. I'm loving the course!

[thecreativepenn]

Thanks so much! I would caution about who you share it with though. People who love you will say nice things not to hurt you, and deeper criticism may hurt the tender first draft. Be careful!

[russocomedy]

Thank you;

Most encouraging and informative. I liked what you said about movement in dialogue.

Much success

[jungleman68]

do you know how michael crichton did research for his books? Or his writing style? I am making a fan graphic novel sequel to Jurassic Park 3. Something that does the series justice. btw I have a link to another really good fan story on one of my videos.

[M5tattooedonmymind]

@evenstarauthor good point. I've had like the same circle or readers/writers and at some point I felt like I wasn't that good anymore and shared with other people who actually enjoyed and got good comments.

[M5tattooedonmymind]

Thank you for the advice...I reached that point when I wanted to quit writing just because this idea "oh terrible writing" but then slowly started again...good or bad but carried on I got back on track and got even better. And I've learned criticism is constructive. Being a foreign trying to write in English I took criticism as advice only and I think I really improved myself.

"writing is re-writing" good quote.

Thank you for the tips Joanna.

Bianca

[evenstarauthor]

Good video and tips. :)

One thing you might add would be to share your work with others--either other readers or other writers. When I feel like everything is terrible, if I share it and get some solid feedback (good or bad) that often helps me see what I'm doing right. Or doing wrong.