How do YOU know if your writing stinks?

Because occasionally... someone tells me it doesn't stink. So... I go on.

my writing stinks after 4 p.m. and until about 4 a.m. anything i write before that is fairly sound. --s6

compare it to stuff published already-- I would even go further and compare it to good writing because I sure as heck would not like to write in the same universe as some published writers.

I mean, look, you wouldn't be asking the question if it was about violin playing. You know it sucks if it does not come up to certain standards. To do that, you need to develop an "ear" for good prose.

A cello player knows if she is nearing the facility of Yo-Yo Ma. With Music, anyone can say "you really need to practice more."

I feel that a writer needs to read compulsively, and in all genres, including non-fiction. Much beautiful writing is done in non-fiction.

You start to find the flaws. Is the work Flat? Affected? Thin? Have you edited out your specific voice and made it read like a technical report?

I don't think there is such a thing as "perfect" writing, and tastes change, but there is such a thing as writing that draws you in and compels you to read more.

A nice way to "hear" your work is to read it out loud and tape record it (I believe that MP3 players are good for this), and then listen to it. I always read my stuff out loud.

Simple. If you are a writers you HAVE to write. It's part of your make-up. You have no choice. It's what you do.

If it stinks, you're usually the last one to know, unfortunately.

When I don't pay attention to the real story and push the plot/characters/motives etc the wrong way.

Read the work of writers whose style you love. Then read your own stuff.

If you feel a specific thing is letting you down, learn how to improve it, whether it is a complicated point of grammar, writing dialogues, underuse of your vast vocabulary knowledge etc Give yourself exercises to tackle the skills you feel you lack in.

If you really can't tell, join a writers' group and seek advice and critique.

I know when my writing stinks, it drives me crazy just either reading or thinking about it.

Angelinity said:

So why do you keep writing?

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Because I have a story to tell. I've been telling stories since I was a little kid and why break the habit of a lifetime? I imagine that one day this will happen.

Death : HELLO.
Me : Oh, hi. I was in the middle of something. You don't think...
Death : SORRY.
Me : I really need to finish this scene.
Death : WHY NOT COME WITH ME AND TELL ME ABOUT IT?
Me : Will you write it down if I do?
Death : WRITERS. FINE. HOLD THE SCYTHE.

I know it stinks when reading it makes me blush with embarrassment. I keep going because I can see that my writing improves with practice.

If you're happy with it, it doesn't stink.
If you want others to like it, only they can judge.

Angelinity said:

So why do you keep writing?

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Can't fix it unless I keep at it.

All writing stinks.

Its the rewrite(s) that are important.

I keep going because my latest rewrite is better than the previous one, ad naseum.

Also more general than novel-specific, so moving to the roundtable.

I just know when it's good or not. A gut feeling.

When it evokes nothing for me--it's just a bridge to the next good, well-written part--I know it really stinks.

Then I keep going because every word I write leaves me better prepared for the next one.

Angelinity said:

So why do you keep writing?

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Punishment for past sins.

Michael Parks said:

If it stinks, you're usually the last one to know, unfortunately.

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No. I'm the first to know it stinks. I've always been the first to know it stinks. And yet for some stupid reason, I always soldiered on.

I've have always been my own worst critic. It's been others who have said it was good. I refuse to believe them any longer.

I read everything out loud, which is a great way to find the stuff that doesn't work.

I assume all my writing stinks. I also assume say 90% of the population's stinks just as bad or even worse. So I keep on typing because I have all these stories floating around in my head and no one else has written them. As usual, if you want something done, you have to do it yourself. I'm lazy. If someone else could write my stories for me, I'd stop stinking up the planet.

ink wench said:

I assume all my writing stinks. I also assume say 90% of the population's stinks just as bad or even worse.

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Sturgeon's Law: 90% of everything is crap.

Sullivan's Corollary: Sturgeon was an optimist.

Shakespeare

Historically William Shakespeare stuff was referred to by Christopher Marlowe as "of base intelligence hardly befitting the stage." Now he's one of the greatest writers ever.

J. R. R. Tolkien had his stuff praised but largely ignored for a decade until Return of the King came out. From there on he was the master everyone looked at. Now he's one of the greatest fantasy writers ever.

Richard Bauchman. Who? Exactly. Had to change his name to Stephen King. Did poorly for Carrie and was criticized for its structure. Now he's still criticized but when he criticizes people they pay attention.

If you think you're writing sucks then first ask yourself why? By answering that question you can address the problem you have with it. I routinely think my writing sucks because it fails to be as visual as I want it to be. I'm not trying to make my writing some work of art. I have an idea, I present it, and then let the reader rate it. I use my time to waste on sequels, other stories, and hunting down an agent and / or publisher than seeing what the best word for this sentence is so that 150 years from now some stuffy old English teacher can say I was a master.

Never ever cut something because someone else told you to. The moment you sell out to others is when you start selling out your ideas and your soul. Edit stuff sure. Change words to make it flow better okay. But don't you ever cut it. You wrote it so stick by it. Edit it but don't toss it.

That being said, don't you ever write something unless you mean it. I'm sure I could be paid to write some movie script at the drop of a hat. But unless I mean it, e.g. I like the storyline, I won't do it. Even if I'm broke and need the money I place a value on anything I write to that extreme and won't write something if it disagrees with me.

Which is probably why I'm an unpublished noob that most people nod to and ignore. But just like George Burns said, "I rather be poor doing something I love than rich doing something I hate."

That was a very good thing to say. Awesome.

I honestly think that my writing stinks when everyone-including myself-thinks that I should improve it. I do, but only until I am satisfied with it.

Channeling and paraphrasing Hammy from Over the Hedge, nose all quivering and eyes tearing up yet drawing myself up to my most dignified posture:

My writing doesn't stink! (Sniff)