The Timid Writer

 

Recently, I played a Marathon Bridge match with my partner against two other women. For those who don't play Bridge, a marathon is a group of teams, two people on a team. Each team plays someone different every month in fall, winter, and spring. The women we played yesterday are what I call 'timid bidders,' They could have had a much bigger score if they had been a bit more aggressive. Some, of course, want to play it on the safe side, so they won't get a penalty. But taking a chance can often reap benefits. It'a personal choice.

Some writers are timid about trying to get published or to share their work with others in any way. It's understandable in the early days of writing, although there are newbie writers who are so excited that they want to share everything they write with everyone and submit to myriad publications. Their balloon is often deflated when they don't become an overnight sensation. Hopefully, they figure out that writing is hard work, and that writers become better at the craft as time goes on. 

But back to the shy writer. She/he lacks self-confidence, just like some bridge players. She/he fears she/he isn't  very good. She/he cringes at the thought of criticism, constructive or not. We need to have an attitude about criticism of our work that allows us to see the help being given, and to know that it is not a personal slap in the face. Sadly, some writers consider it exactly that. Learning not to fear a critique is a big step in the life of a writer. 

Putting your work up for critique is one way of improving as a writer. It's necessary to convince yourself that those who critique your work are trying to help you. Hopefully, they point out the parts they like as well as those that need revision. We all enjoy some compliments now and then. Even little things we change can make a big difference in the overall piece of writing. We need to heed what those other writers tell us.

Being afraid to submit what you've written is another problem, especially for newbie writers. Not only do they wonder if what they've written is good enough to be published, but don't want to put themselves in a spot to be rejected. "Hey, if I don't submit my work, no one can reject it." Probably true, but it won't get you very far in this writing game--if your aim is publication. 

Not all writers have the goal of publication. Some write for the sheer pleasure of putting words on paper, or on a screen. Maybe they keep a handwritten journal that no one ever sees. It's personal and private. Like those diaries that young girls kept in my growing up years. They usually had a lock on the cover, and the girls kept the key hidden. Those locks were so flimsy, it would not have taken much to break them. Still, the thoughts the girls wrote were private. 

Emily Dickinson published only a very few poems while alive. It was after her death that a family member found dozens and dozens of her poems in a drawer and worked to get them published. Rather sad that the poet did not realize how well her poetry would be received. Was she a timid writer? Perhaps. 

Do not be concerned that others will find problem spots in what you write. If you put your work out for critique, that is exactly why you are doing so. You're asking for help to make your story, or whatever it is, as good as it can be. Do not be afraid to submit your writing for publication. All writers get rejections, over and over. It's those acceptances that make us smile and are to be remembered. 

My aim here is not to criticize any writer (or bridge player!). I always hope to be of some help, to allow writers to see where they might improve.