I dislike what I wrote

Dreams For My Son · Feb 27, 2013

As a novice writer, I feel terrible when I read what I wrote so far. I am trying to write a memoir but I am about to give up.
I believe I have an interesting story to tell but I think I am failing at putting it in words. On top of that, English is my second language and I think my way of telling the story is lacking coherence.
Do you guys have any advice for me?

P.S I can't afford Ghostwriters and I don't believe the memoir deserves that honor.

Siri Kirpal · Feb 27, 2013

Sat Nam! (Literally "Truth Name"--a Sikh greeting)

Once you are up to 50 posts, you can post a section in the memoir section of Share Your Work (password is "vista") and ask for critiques. You can also go in now and take a look at what's there and give critiques yourself. (Check the dates first; some of the stuff in there on the first page of threads is really old.)

For right now, ask yourself what is your story about. What's the underlying meaning? Where did you come from and where did you go? (That can be metaphoric, as well as literal.) Good books on the topic are Tristine Rainer's Your Life as Story and Bill Roorbach's Writing Life Stories.

Once you're done, be sure to get a beta-reader who is a native English speaker.

Best of luck!

Blessings,

Siri Kirpal

Dreams For My Son · Feb 27, 2013

Thanks Siri Kirpal.

I might have to start trolling all the threads to reach the 50 posts threshold. Just kidding...I could see moderators' eyes popping out.
I think I started this project at a wrong time; writing a memoir during a grad school. But I will try to do my best.

clee984 · Feb 27, 2013

I think it's good that you hate what you wrote - anyone who likes everything they write is deluded. I hate everything I write too. I'm glad you're the same!

zarada · Feb 27, 2013

your reaction is normal. assuming this is only your first draft?

simple solution: when you don't like, rewrite. everybody does it.

your english seems ok to me. so you can't use that as an excuse to stop writing now :tongue

Dreams For My Son · Feb 27, 2013

clee984 said:
I think it's good that you hate what you wrote - anyone who likes everything they write is deluded. I hate everything I write too. I'm glad you're the same!

But it might also show our insecurity.

Dreams For My Son · Feb 27, 2013

zarada said:
your reaction is normal. assuming this is only your first draft?

simple solution: when you don't like, rewrite. everybody does it.

your english seems ok to me. so you can't use that as an excuse to stop writing now

Thanks. I will keep scribbling.

A Li Shan · Feb 28, 2013

I understand the headache of trying to express yourself in non-native languages, but don't let that discourage you. When I hit a wall trying to explain something in Chinese (usually with a table full of Chinese people giving me blank stares), I go for the simplest words to express what I mean. There are many ways to express a single idea--use the words at your disposal, even if they're not fancy. That's creativity and innovation for you!

Dreams For My Son · Mar 2, 2013

A Li Shan said:
I understand the headache of trying to express yourself in non-native languages, but don't let that discourage you. When I hit a wall trying to explain something in Chinese (usually with a table full of Chinese people giving me blank stares), I go for the simplest words to express what I mean. There are many ways to express a single idea--use the words at your disposal, even if they're not fancy. That's creativity and innovation for you!

Thanks, A Li Shan. I will put your advice to work.

Louis Spector · Apr 3, 2013

Although English is my first language, I nonetheless had been placed in an ESL program when I enrolled in college due to a severe learning disability I had, and I failed. That was many years ago. Now, at my age, I’m attempting to also write a memoir about my many obstacles. Sure it’s a painstaking process and sure I’ve re-written each chapter about 20 plus times and sure I’ve considered quitting all together but I don’t even though I doubt my book would ever get published as my goal right now is just to finish what I started. I’ll worry about where it will go or what I’ll do with it once it’s done. So, regardless how you feel as a writer, your job is to write. Once it’s done, put it away for a few days then re-read it, re-edit it, and re-store it. Eventually you will like what you wrote and proud of the journey you took to get there. I hope what I said helps if just a little.

lolchemist · Apr 13, 2013

The good news is that you have an interesting story to tell. The better news is: nobody is born knowing how to be a great writer, it takes lots of practice! So just keep writing writing writing and once you're done with your story, you will go back and start fixing fixing fixing!

I dislike what I wrote

Dreams For My Son

Benefactor Member

Siri Kirpal

Swan in Process

Dreams For My Son

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clee984

Bearded and serious

zarada

not afraid to leap

Dreams For My Son

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Dreams For My Son

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A Li Shan

Dr. Sniffles will see you now.

Dreams For My Son

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Louis Spector

Life is what you make it

lolchemist

Shooting stars.