Wednesday 3 August 2011

Are you a writer yet?

Results day yesterday.  When I look at the others who got distinctions, I'm in illustrious company.  There are those already working on novels, others who can whip up a story in twenty minutes or whose poetry and prose make you gasp.  Then there are those who've been disappointed with their results but seem to have poetry running through their veins or write engaging, fluent prose.  I can't help but feel a fraud.  True, I do feel a little proud of the stories I've written but these have not come easily.  There's been much head scratching as I've floundered for ideas and the writing hasn't been any easier.  More like coughing up fur balls.

I'm not a writer yet and not sure if I ever will be.  I do have, it seems, a knack for studying.  Give me a text book, an assignment and a deadline and I'm your woman.  It's a simple feedback loop, with clearly defined goals.  If only the rest of life were so straight forward.  Writing is a completely different kettle of fish.  What's good enough this morning, may seem utter drivel by teatime.  One woman's masterpiece is another one's chip wrapper.

I try and remind myself that writing's not supposed to be easy.  They say it takes 10,000 hours to become an expert at something.  I have a long way to go.

4 comments:

  1. Well done Karen on you're mark...well deserved in my view. I'm a work in progress with a long way to go!

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  2. Thank you Vee. From what I've read, you're not doing so badly yourself! Let's stick with it.

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  3. I have read what you posted very carefully and I still can't understand why you say you feel a fraud.

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  4. I'm not sure I can explain it any better. Perhaps it's just me.

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