This question/worry fascinates me.
The classic answer is: First I got form rejections for my subs, then a few comments, then really complimentary personal rejections and then I started to sell.
Hmmm. A nice linear progression that. But I've always sold (lucky old me) and got a few complimentary rejection letters.
I suppose if you're improving you'll make more sales, but as time's gone on I've started subbing more and more to professional press. So that doesn't help much. If I chart the number of sales they're much of a muchness over the last few years. (2010= 7 pro sales, 2011= 4 pro sales 2012 = 7 pro sales) And I'm happy with those numbers. I know that I couldn't have worked much harder.
Maybe I've plateaued? How can I tell? Maybe *le gasp* I'm getting worse.
So how do you tell if you're getting better?
It sounds pretty good to me. You're sending things out, and making sales. Congrats!
ReplyDeleteI know I'm getting better because if I'm not then what the hell have I been doing with my life? It's a statement of faith really. If I'm looking for some more objective criteria then I'm out of luck.
ReplyDeleteWhen I started I could see regular improvements in my writing but that's no longer the case. Sales aren't increasing now - but as markets are dwindling and competition is therefore increasing I don't feel that is a reliable guide.
ReplyDeleteAha. And I bought a copy of Woman's Weekly yesteday, Patsy.
DeleteSometimes I find an aspect of writing I hadn't considered before suddenly make sense. Like I always knew about the Hero's Journey, but all of a sudden, half-way through the scene where the hero removes their 'mask', I'll think, hey, I actually 'get' what that's all about now. I applaud myself for these little wins, they mean more to me than outside opinions.
ReplyDeleteYes. I know exactly what you mean, the 'aha' moment when a piece of advice fits like a jigsaw piece into your understanding. That's very cool.
DeleteI think you have to look at a variety of things to know if you're improving, not just sales. Output, little aha moments like what Charmaine describes, looking back on your own stories and seeing how they could be improved, etc.
ReplyDeleteThe market is always changing, attitudes in society are changing, culture is changing, etc., so what's popular or works today won't tomorrow. I think writers can hit a plateau (can improvement really be endless?), and so to keep improving maybe means to keep up with the changing market by introducing something different/fresh? Just a thought.
I'm never happy with my writing. I suppose if ever I am, I'll know I've plateaued!
ReplyDeleteThat's a very smart answer, Milo. I think you're right.
ReplyDeleteI don't know for sure. But with everything I write I can see how I might have done it better when I go back to it. So I guess I'm improving. Also, I suspect hitting plateaus can be good. People don't grow or develop in a simple, linear fashion in any area of activity. There are periods of rapid change and periods of consolidation. As long as you're enjoying the journey, I say don't worry about it...
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to keep all the plates spinning, sometimes.
Delete