Not every piece of writing can be a masterpiece.
By megamatt
@megamatt (14291)
United States
February 10, 2011 8:36pm CST
I think a lot of writers tend to get hung up on this. They try and write the next great masterpiece but really there are going to be a lot of writing that is average, good, or even "what was I thinking when I wrote that." There can be some gems, but a lot of writing is trial and error and sometimes what looks good in your head, does not look as good on your head. Even the not so good pieces of writing can be valuable experience.
2 people like this
8 responses
@greenline (14838)
• Canada
11 Feb 11
That is well said, and I certainly agree with it. Writing, like many other traits, needs experience. If one is really serious about becoming a successful writer, one just have keep on writing and trying. Practise makes perfect, as the saying goes.
@megamatt (14291)
• United States
11 Feb 11
Practice is indeed key. Those early efforts, those efforts that might not really work out as well, is really when you think about it, they are crucial. They are extremely important with measuring your success. How you got from Point A to Point B. Thank you for your response. It is much appreciated and it contributed to the topic well. Have a nice day and thanks.
@megamatt (14291)
• United States
11 Feb 11
Very true indeed. We need some point of reference for anything in life. We're going to have some good times and some bad things. And then there is things that are just in the middle. Therefore, you're right, most things in life are going to be all over the spectrum. Thank you for your response. It is much appreciated and it contributed to the topic well. Have a nice day and thanks.
@megamatt (14291)
• United States
21 Feb 11
Writing is very much a work of art. We tend to mature over time. We go through phases where we try different things. Some to great success and some to great, grand failure, not too much unlike artists. So that is a very excellent comparison between writers and artists. Thank you for your response. It is much appreciated and it contributed to the topic well. Have a nice day and thanks.
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
18 Feb 11
Hi Megamatt, the most surprising thing about writing is that our readers do not share the same idea about our articles.
Some articles we think are very lousy, yet these are more popular, and readers seem to like them very much.
Some articles take a long time to write, and we think it is the best of our effort, yet nobody says anything good.
@megamatt (14291)
• United States
21 Feb 11
That is a very interesting thing and when you think about it, people don't really like to think when they read. At least most people. Writing 101 states that you have to have a well researched and thought provoking piece but really most people might not stick around to read or give that feedback. Therefore the lighter, fluffier stuff tends to get more interest, although it shouldn't be complete rubbish. A happy medium is for the best. Thank you for your response. It is much appreciated and it contributed to the topic well. Have a nice day and thanks.
@didi13 (2926)
• Romania
21 Feb 11
Writing is an exploration. You start anywhere and learn as you go.And of course sometimes you can not get out, but at least you tried. If the doctor tells me I had only six minutes to live, I would not laziness. I write a little faster, but do not know if they get out a masterpiece... For me writing was transformed into passion, then in need, so that eventually became "a kind of "keeping me alive, alive, and at the same time, grateful that I always found full of mystery.
@megamatt (14291)
• United States
21 Feb 11
Yes writing is in fact an exploration. This is so very true. You can go in a number of directions. It is really amazing how writing can change us and shape us over all of time. It is quite the fascinating little exploration. Thank you for your response. It is much appreciated and it contributed to the topic well. Have a nice day and thanks.
@NYNY911 (63)
• United States
16 Apr 11
i am a beginning writer myself- i write articles online for article directories. i already know that you cannot put too much pressure on yourself when writing- writing should be fun and enjoyable. write what you want- it has to come from your heart- if it is not the great american novel- so what- you have the satisfaction that you did your best.
@megamatt (14291)
• United States
17 Apr 11
The satisifaction that you have done your best but there is room for improvement, that tends to push you on. Not to mention, even if the writing did not turned out as it has planned, you have more experience than you did before you started writing that particular piece. The more experience that you have, the better off you'll be. Of course, the most experienced writers have had their share of missteps. No one is perfect. Thanks for responding. Its appreciated. Have a nice day.
@leafygreens08 (754)
• United States
11 Feb 11
This is so true and yet as a writer, one NEEDS to be serious about their work and go that extra mile to do the very best they can on their book, novel or whatever they are writing. Even if your attempt doesn't prove to be the next best seller, you can learn from this experience as you just said for the next project planned.
@megamatt (14291)
• United States
11 Feb 11
Yes writing is something that does take a lot of work to manage. Therefore, there are going to be a lot of work to really go that extra mile. To make sure your writing evolves and grows and you gain experience. Thank you for your response. It is much appreciated and it contributed to the topic well. Have a nice day and thanks.
@xiaohunmeihua (209)
• China
11 Feb 11
I think masterpiece is not necessarily be done when a writer try to make his or her work excellent, actually most masterpieces are written by writers who are not pursue glory on purpose. when one is eager to get the reputation, his or her heart will be filled with fickleness. Also as the saying goes "His hope is so high he was doomed to disappointment " , so maybe it is not so good for writers to expect too much before writting. But as you say, no matter it is successful or not, it will be a good experience for writers.
@megamatt (14291)
• United States
11 Feb 11
That is the truth. People tend to raised their expectations too high and therefore they are doomed to disappointment. However, they are not seeing the bigger picture. The fact that there are setbacks with writing all of the time. Thank you for your response. It is much appreciated and it contributed to the topic well. Have a nice day and thanks.