How can I compare?
This is a question I ask myself often. I recently started work as a content writer for a website. What I write is mostly product descriptions, for a range of different artists, designs and pieces. Often, for inspiration, I look at what has been written for previous products. Sometimes they make me laugh, with simple mistakes like 'bowels' instead of 'bowls'. But other times, reading them makes me feel insecure.
I am a good writer. I know this. But I am also a simple writer. I hardly use exquisite words, I try not to make things complicated, and I don't like exaggerating. So when I read a description that only uses words like "intricate" "masterful" and "behold" (none too complicated words, but when all put together in one sentence it transforms into a much more sophisticated sound) I start to doubt myself. How can I compare with another writer, if they only use words that have seven letters or more? When three words, all meaning "beautiful", occur in the same sentence, the effect is magnified. What can I write, that will show beauty as well as "magnificent, charming, stunning"?
It's hard sometimes. I am a good writer, and I know it. But seeing words in such a striking way is often hard on my confidence.
I sometimes have this issue when reading my friends' writings as well. With words so powerful, they relay so much emotion that the reader can physically feel it. Sometimes their work makes me laugh, or cry, or contemplate the meaning of life. At times, when I read over what I wrote two and three and four years ago, I am suddenly overcome with emotion. But I cannot say if this is because of my writing or the memories that surface, and many of my most intimate writings I have not shared.
When you read what I write, do you feel what I'm feeling? Do you feel the tears in your eyes as I do when I type? Does your heart ache with the pain of what I've gone through?
Am I as good a writer as I think I am?
This is a question I ask myself often. I recently started work as a content writer for a website. What I write is mostly product descriptions, for a range of different artists, designs and pieces. Often, for inspiration, I look at what has been written for previous products. Sometimes they make me laugh, with simple mistakes like 'bowels' instead of 'bowls'. But other times, reading them makes me feel insecure.
I am a good writer. I know this. But I am also a simple writer. I hardly use exquisite words, I try not to make things complicated, and I don't like exaggerating. So when I read a description that only uses words like "intricate" "masterful" and "behold" (none too complicated words, but when all put together in one sentence it transforms into a much more sophisticated sound) I start to doubt myself. How can I compare with another writer, if they only use words that have seven letters or more? When three words, all meaning "beautiful", occur in the same sentence, the effect is magnified. What can I write, that will show beauty as well as "magnificent, charming, stunning"?
It's hard sometimes. I am a good writer, and I know it. But seeing words in such a striking way is often hard on my confidence.
I sometimes have this issue when reading my friends' writings as well. With words so powerful, they relay so much emotion that the reader can physically feel it. Sometimes their work makes me laugh, or cry, or contemplate the meaning of life. At times, when I read over what I wrote two and three and four years ago, I am suddenly overcome with emotion. But I cannot say if this is because of my writing or the memories that surface, and many of my most intimate writings I have not shared.
When you read what I write, do you feel what I'm feeling? Do you feel the tears in your eyes as I do when I type? Does your heart ache with the pain of what I've gone through?
Am I as good a writer as I think I am?