KenKen
asked
Vicky Alvear Shecter:
Hi Vicky! This isn't the first time I've asked you a question—I hope you don't mind. :) I hope to become an author someday, and I am still young, but looking for a way to get my writing noticed. I'm a very self-conscious person and I am self-conscious about my writing as well. I was wondering if you knew any good ways to get noticed—like writing contests? Thanks 😊
Vicky Alvear Shecter
Hi KenKen, Thanks so much for your question. I totally connect with the issue of feeling self-conscious in general and about writing in particular. Many authors are shy introverts (including me!). In terms of answering your question, let's take one aspect at a time.
Feeling self-conscious about your writing: Welcome to the club! I don't know of any writer that doesn't struggle with this issue. And yet we all have to face that not everyone is going to love or even like our writing. Accepting that can be hard but if you want to succeed as a writer, you must. The only way to get past it, in my experience, is to just keep writing and keep getting others to READ your writing. Input from trusted readers is SO important. Be open to both their criticism and their praise and be determined to learn from others.
Also, try to live with this mantra: I AM NOT MY WRITING. I know that sounds hokey, but it's very important to separate yourself from your creations. If you write something crappy one day, it doesn't mean YOU are crappy. It's a way to get your ego out of the way so you don't feel destroyed by the inevitable criticism you're bound to face at some point in your writing career. Every writer--even the super successful ones--face rejection. The ones who face it and keep writing anyway are the ones who break through.
How to get your writing noticed: Writing contests are a great idea but you must do your research to make sure that you are entering legitimate contests. Ask your local or school librarian for help on this, as well as your writing teachers. They should be able to guide you on this.
Another way to get noticed is to submit your writing to various magazines. Research the sites that are open to submission--and then spend time reading what they like to publish. If you have a story that would fit, send it to them (most sites and magazines publish submission guidelines). I can't tell how old you are but if you're still in school, consider submitting to kids or teen magazines. Again, your teacher or librarian can help you with this. Local libraries sometimes host contests and/or produce their own newsletters. See if you can get published there.
If you're still in school, start or join a Literary Journal group to find like-minded writers. Finding other writers to share your work with is very important. Not only will a writing group help you improve as a writer, but it will provide the emotional support you will need to keep submitting. Consider creating a writing blog or another online outlet where you can showcase your work.
Whatever you do, commit for the long-haul. You will have (as most of us do), a critical inner voice that will tell you your writing is terrible and you should stop or whatever. DO NOT LISTEN TO THAT VOICE. Write past it. It's just fear trying to protect you from getting hurt.
Also, read a lot (which I'm sure you already do).
You can do this! I'm excited that you want to be an author and that you're taking your impulse to write seriously. Keep me posted on how things go and KEEP WRITING! :-)
Feeling self-conscious about your writing: Welcome to the club! I don't know of any writer that doesn't struggle with this issue. And yet we all have to face that not everyone is going to love or even like our writing. Accepting that can be hard but if you want to succeed as a writer, you must. The only way to get past it, in my experience, is to just keep writing and keep getting others to READ your writing. Input from trusted readers is SO important. Be open to both their criticism and their praise and be determined to learn from others.
Also, try to live with this mantra: I AM NOT MY WRITING. I know that sounds hokey, but it's very important to separate yourself from your creations. If you write something crappy one day, it doesn't mean YOU are crappy. It's a way to get your ego out of the way so you don't feel destroyed by the inevitable criticism you're bound to face at some point in your writing career. Every writer--even the super successful ones--face rejection. The ones who face it and keep writing anyway are the ones who break through.
How to get your writing noticed: Writing contests are a great idea but you must do your research to make sure that you are entering legitimate contests. Ask your local or school librarian for help on this, as well as your writing teachers. They should be able to guide you on this.
Another way to get noticed is to submit your writing to various magazines. Research the sites that are open to submission--and then spend time reading what they like to publish. If you have a story that would fit, send it to them (most sites and magazines publish submission guidelines). I can't tell how old you are but if you're still in school, consider submitting to kids or teen magazines. Again, your teacher or librarian can help you with this. Local libraries sometimes host contests and/or produce their own newsletters. See if you can get published there.
If you're still in school, start or join a Literary Journal group to find like-minded writers. Finding other writers to share your work with is very important. Not only will a writing group help you improve as a writer, but it will provide the emotional support you will need to keep submitting. Consider creating a writing blog or another online outlet where you can showcase your work.
Whatever you do, commit for the long-haul. You will have (as most of us do), a critical inner voice that will tell you your writing is terrible and you should stop or whatever. DO NOT LISTEN TO THAT VOICE. Write past it. It's just fear trying to protect you from getting hurt.
Also, read a lot (which I'm sure you already do).
You can do this! I'm excited that you want to be an author and that you're taking your impulse to write seriously. Keep me posted on how things go and KEEP WRITING! :-)
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