Originally, this random epiphany was posted in 2009, but given the number of conversations I've had with various people recently, I figure it bears repeating.
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Being a writer means exactly two things:
1) That you secretly believe that your writing is better than 90% of what's out there (or can at least hold a candle to the majority),
2) That you secretly believe that your stuff sucks and that it'll never amount to anything, ever.
The funny thing is that this never ends. Seriously. Lather, rinse, repeat. That's being a writer!
Observe:
You secretly believe that your writing is better than 90% of what's out there, but under that, you secretly believe that your stuff sucks and that it'll never amount to anything, ever. But underneath that is the real, honest belief that your writing is still better than 90% of what's out there, although deep down you know that your stuff totally sucks and that it'll never amount to anything, ever...etc.
Isn't that fun? So endeth the lesson. Now I'm going to eat some chocolate and continue revising! Ciao!
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And it's still true 4 years later. Now off to do more editing. Ciao!