What makes you think your stories are worth reading?
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It's not for me to decide. I do my best to write something I think is worth writing and I do it to the best of my abilities.
If I thought too much about this question, I'd be tempted to put a bullet in my own head. So I just write, and let the stories sort it out.
Because they're mondo cool stories worthy of being told and being read.
Whether or not they're worth reading depends more on my ability to put them on the page.
But they, themselves, are mondo cool stories worth being told and worth reading.
Whether or not they're worth reading depends more on my ability to put them on the page.
But they, themselves, are mondo cool stories worth being told and worth reading.
Wow, this question is kinda depressing.
Well, I write stories that I find exciting. Everything I write I find fun and entertaining, and if I like it then probably someone (even if it's just one person) will like it too.
Well, I write stories that I find exciting. Everything I write I find fun and entertaining, and if I like it then probably someone (even if it's just one person) will like it too.
My stories are worth reading because they are the sort of stories I want to read, and no one else will write them so I guess I'll have to.
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Egotism.
Kinda sorta.
I don't have proof anyone would like my writing; I just have faith that I possess some actual talent. Then I let my remaining insecurities drive me to work hard.
Kinda sorta.
I don't have proof anyone would like my writing; I just have faith that I possess some actual talent. Then I let my remaining insecurities drive me to work hard.
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Well, I enjoy reading them. When I go back and do edits and get sucked up in the story even on the fifth time through, I am more confident about it. I also worry that it means I have egocentric tendencies, but I hope that's not the case.
My betas tend to give me good comments even on the things I know are sub-part for me, so it's a good motivator. I used to have alpha readers--people who read the book the first time through as I was writing it, and they would beg me for the next chapter, so that always made it easier to feel that at least there were others out there who would enjoy reading it.
I also know my agent loved at least one of my books, and while it's hard to believe he really thinks it's on the same level as published books, that helps a lot. I do tend to worry that he'll dislike anything else I've written, but I try not to think about that too much.
My betas tend to give me good comments even on the things I know are sub-part for me, so it's a good motivator. I used to have alpha readers--people who read the book the first time through as I was writing it, and they would beg me for the next chapter, so that always made it easier to feel that at least there were others out there who would enjoy reading it.
I also know my agent loved at least one of my books, and while it's hard to believe he really thinks it's on the same level as published books, that helps a lot. I do tend to worry that he'll dislike anything else I've written, but I try not to think about that too much.
They answer the questions no one else will. And I think they're pretty rad - good enough reason for me!
I really can't put it any better than this, so I'm totally gonna piggyback off of it. Hey, Willie, I can assure you that post was worth reading!
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I'll second this one.
But I have more assurance than just that. I have had quite a number of people read my work, many of them are good writers themselves, and I've gotten good comments back. I also popped into a site online that is supposed to be there to help newbie writers and was frankly appalled at the horrible writing that most of them were putting up. One afternoon reading that crap and I've never been back and never doubted that I can write again (though I sometimes doubt that my writing is up to the quality I want it to be, I know it isn't truly horrible). I still cringe when I think of that experience. Plus, I've gone back an reread some of my oldest work, my first story with professional aspirations and my first novel, and even my early work isn't utter crap.
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I agree.
My story is pretty awesome.
Its worthiness to be read will be determined by my (slowly growing) ability as a writer to bring it to life.
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Any story can be worth reading to the right person. Many of the stories, fables, and books I read as a child are stories a lot of my peers wouldn't read now. Heck, even my kids don't want to read what I read at their age!
Many of the published works by the 'classic' writers were published after the person's death. What was once 'not worth reading' became 'worth reading'.
I write because it's something I love to do. If the stories every become published (admittedly, it's a dream of mine), that's amazing and wonderful! Is it a requirement to be full-filled? Nope! Do I hope my children will one day pick up what wasn't published (or the self-published copies I will end up purchasing and keeping around)? Of course! With any luck, they will enjoy what their parents wrote.
Not that any of that would matter to an agent or publisher. They have to pick what the general public will enjoy reading! A task that, I'm sure, isn't easy!
Many of the published works by the 'classic' writers were published after the person's death. What was once 'not worth reading' became 'worth reading'.
I write because it's something I love to do. If the stories every become published (admittedly, it's a dream of mine), that's amazing and wonderful! Is it a requirement to be full-filled? Nope! Do I hope my children will one day pick up what wasn't published (or the self-published copies I will end up purchasing and keeping around)? Of course! With any luck, they will enjoy what their parents wrote.
Not that any of that would matter to an agent or publisher. They have to pick what the general public will enjoy reading! A task that, I'm sure, isn't easy!
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'Cos the alternative is to accept I've spent years pissing into the wind.
*sniggers* this
Mostly this. My novel still makes me cry even when I practically have it memorized, and some things my characters say still make me smile and think, she's awesome. I worry it's just me, but, still, it's better that than not, right?
Also I can't think about it too much because that's death. Hehe.
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