Know Your Strengths — and Stand Your Ground
I’ve had some collaborative experiences recently that have made me think anew about having one’s writing critiqued and edited, and how it can be a highly beneficial, albeit painful, experience.
As you know, I’m a lawyer so it goes without saying that I have a very large ego. I’m also a musician and performer, so that makes me a “triple threat” in the “I have complete confidence in my abilities” department. I readily admit that, at this point in my life, I have developed a skill set and identity. I pretty much know what things I am really good at doing, the areas in which I have only mediocre abilities, and what “zones” to avoid altogether because I am totally incompetent in them.
Writing is one area where I have a lot of confidence. But only as to certain styles or genres. I do not write fiction, for instance. Recently, someone tried to convince me that, because I am somewhat accomplished in other arenas, writing fiction would be a “snap” so I should really pursue it. I just laughed . . . I know that I have absolutely no talent for writing fiction and, therefore, am quite content to read fictional works written by other folks who do.
Originally published at Write Stuff.
Subscribe to Colloquium's RSS feed. Thanks for visiting! Leave a comment and stop by again soon!
