Seeing Your Writing

This might sound like an opaque subject, but seeing your writing for what it is isn't always easy. You have a few critics; those that don't like your writing, and a few raving fans, those who say they like everything you've written.

Seeing your writing like it is, is a bit like "looking through a glass darkly." There are times you feel as if you've just about made it, other times you wonder, "Have I been wasting away my life doing something I'm not really good at?"

Photo by: Bohman, courtesy of Flickr

You may have received writing awards of some kind, had a book published, been asked to speak at writing groups...still, that nagging sensation won't leave you alone.

Photo by: Pensive Glance, courtesy of Flickr

For me, knowing where I'm at in writing takes introspection. And while it's nice to get kudos from others and even negative reviews from others, in reality, it's what I think about my writing that really matters. And what I think can help me to make the necessary improvements.

Do I struggle with setting, or is it dialogue? And how can I improve?
Do I use the five senses, easily, just like I do in real like when walking the mountain path, or does this aspect of my writing need work?
What about plot? What about grammar? What about theme?

I don't know about you, but I feel as if I'm always learning something new to help me in seeing my writing more clearly. Sure, a well-meaning critique can help, so can a writing class, but in the end it's about seeing my writing, really seeing it. I need to let go of excuses. I need to let go of feeling sorry for myself. I need to hold my chin up and keep writing. I need to keep learning.

Perfection isn't possible, but improvement is.