Question for the writers

PenforPrez · #1 02-06-2007, 08:07 PM

This is for those of you who like to write. Did you ever read something and feel totally outclassed as a writer?

I'm looking into participating in this writing contest for Valentine's Day, and all entries can be read by everyone. I was just reading an entry from a man in New York City, and I'm thinking: "Holy crap! I can't match this!"

Then again, it's only 500 words. Maybe I can.

Paul

Winter Storm · #2 02-06-2007, 08:27 PM

Honestly, that is one reason why I'm not reading so much right now. I just finished the first scene of my first screenplay and I'm feeling pretty good but I don't want to read someone else's work right now and get either influenced by their style or lose my confidence by feeling inferior.

So I'm just avoiding it for now.

#3 02-06-2007, 08:33 PM

Well, unless you plan on being this century's Shakespeare, there's always going to be someone better.

wordsmith · #4 02-06-2007, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PenforPrez

This is for those of you who like to write. Did you ever read something and feel totally outclassed as a writer?

Not really...is that bad?

It sounds arrogant, but I'm honestly pretty confident of my skills. They are what they are, and they're me, which is just as good as anybody else who writes from the heart and gut and with any measure of stylistic skill. Writing's as individual as a voice or thumbprint, so it's hard to compare, but I feel like I'm on par with pretty much whomever I want to be on par with.

I'll read stuff that is super DIFFERENT in style than I write, but I don't see that as outclassed, really. I just feel like I can write as well as anybody once I get going.

PenforPrez · #5 02-06-2007, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kitty

Well, unless you plan on being this century's Shakespeare, there's always going to be someone better.

Guess I'd better get a bunch of monkeys and a bunch of typewriters.

PenforPrez · #6 02-06-2007, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wordsmith

It sounds arrogant, but I'm honestly pretty confident of my skills. They are what they are, and they're me, which is just as good as anybody else who writes from the heart and gut and with any measure of stylistic skill. Writing's as individual as a voice or thumbprint, so it's hard to compare, but I feel like I'm on par with pretty much whomever I want to be on par with.

I like to think of myself as a decent writer. Maybe it's the fact it's a contest. I just read one entry, and I'm thinking: "Whoa." Then again, they're looking for "the most compelling." That could be anything.

Paul

dacrunkest · #7 02-06-2007, 08:54 PM

Wes Montgomery reportedly never had a lot of confidence in his own skills, and he is considered one of the most influential jazz guitarists of all time.

wordsmith · #8 02-06-2007, 08:55 PM

Also totally subjective. Take any writer recognized as great, and there are doubtless people who thought he or she was a hack.

PenforPrez · #9 02-06-2007, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wordsmith

Also totally subjective. Take any writer recognized as great, and there are doubtless people who thought he or she was a hack.

Makes me wonder what William Shakespeare, Christopher Marlowe and Ben Jonson all thought about each other.

Paul

old_school_soul · #10 02-07-2007, 12:13 AM

I dunno. The greatest writers are great readers, or so that's what I'm told. Shakespeare borrowed a lot from the Greeks.

wordsmith · #11 02-07-2007, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by old_school_soul

I dunno. The greatest writers are great readers, or so that's what I'm told. Shakespeare borrowed a lot from the Greeks.

Loads of themes borrowed from mythology in Shakespeare...and folk tales, and written and oral histories.

EmberMae · #12 02-07-2007, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Makes me wonder what William Shakespeare, Christopher Marlowe and Ben Jonson all thought about each other.

When Shakespeare first began writing plays, he wasn't well-liked by his contemporaries, due to his dubious origins (not a member of the aristocracy) and his lack of a university education. I'm not sure about Marlowe, but Jonson definately admired Shakespeare; he wrote of Shakespeare "he was not of an age, but for all time"

As far as your original question, I often feel inadequate when I read quality writing. When I read a great book, I feel as though I could never compare so I don't want to try. When I read crappy writing , I think to myself how much better I could do. Even so, I'd still rather read good writing!

wordsmith · #13 02-07-2007, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EmberMae

When Shakespeare first began writing plays, he wasn't well-liked by his contemporaries, due to his dubious origins (not a member of the aristocracy) and his lack of a university education.

Yeah, a lot's been written about him being considered a hack by the ruling class in his time.

PenforPrez · #14 02-07-2007, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wordsmith

Yeah, a lot's been written about him being considered a hack by the ruling class in his time.

Odd considering he was well liked by Queen Elizabeth. I do remember reading that.

wordsmith · #15 02-07-2007, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PenforPrez

Odd considering he was well liked by Queen Elizabeth. I do remember reading that.

I'm talking in terms of social aristocracy. Elizabeth I was a maverick, not a society lady in persona, so it makes sense.