I was just reading a post on Verla Kay that was kind of depressing... Verla Kay's message boards are a place where writers (and frequently agents and editors) go to see what's what in the world of children's publishing. I'm a consistent lurker (especially as industry friends will call me and say, Did you see what so-and-so wrote on VK?...and then I feel the need to bring up a new window and see what all the hub-bub is about. And just so you know, it's never as exciting as it sounded in their breathless taunting voice. NEVER) but I've never posted there, but today I was reading an entry that was titled something like, "Another one of those quitting posts" and it asked a good, serious question:

How do you know if you're good? When do you stop?

One of my favorite questions to ask new agents (which I might not be able to ask after this) is:

How long are you giving yourself until you have to decide if you want another job?

And if they have an answer... well, let's put it this way. If they say, Ok, I'm giving myself three years... Within three years, that person will be G.O.N.E.. I spend a lot of time with the people who respond, "What do you mean? Why the hell would I want another job?" 

It may not be a practical way of looking at a business that is very, very difficult to break into (and then even more difficult to sustain a livelihood), but it's the only way.

Ok, so I'm going to tell you how to tell if you're good, or at the very least to tell when you should stop.


 If you CAN stop... stop. Seriously. Just stop. Why go through all the bullshit? Writing isn't that much fun (unless you're weird, and some of you are... and think writing is fun...). Writing isn't fun!!! It's hard!!! It involves all kinds of skills that most human beings don't possess or even really want to develop! THIS STUFF IS HARD. If you can -- RUN AWAY!!!!!!! If you'd be happier sewing clothes, go do that. If you'd be happier farting, go do that. Do anything you can, if there is anything else that makes you happy.

...Ok, well you're still reading.
(shaking head) Masochist.

Well, now that we've both figured out that you're not a logical human being...

Why are you trying to be logical about this?
Publishing is entirely subjective (and often illogical) in that ... a book isn't worth a dime until someone is willing to put a value on it.
Why give that privilege solely to editors? or even agents?

Sit down, decide that your book is worth something.
Done. Your writing is now "good."
That wasn't even that hard, eh?

Now, realize that your writing is complete crap and that you have to constantly get better and better and better and better.
And you do this by READING and WRITING.

This weird juxtaposition should be really easy for you, since you're not really... y'know, rational.
You are a writer after all.

Here that, I just called you a writer.

I kinda just want you to give yourself permission to be a writer.
Don't be ashamed of it.
When people ask you... You can tell them, "I'm a writer." It's ok, i give you permission.
And if they ask what you've written, tell them. Happily.
And when they ask if they can go buy it in the bookstore, you have two options: you can blush and hide your face in shame, or you can say, "Not yet, but soon."

And then go home and read and write and read and write and read and write (and if you get bored, do some reading or some writing) -- and then, guess what?

You're a writer.
You'll also smell, because I didn't give you any time to shower ... and it's hard to read and write in the shower... although they do have those waterproof books (you might want to buy those) for kids and people who have sex in showers... not a lot of variety, but do what you must.

SPEND LESS TIME WORRYING ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT YOU ARE GOOD or even if you are going to be published and more time reading and writing.

Now for an easier question:
How do you know when OTHER people think you're good?
Oh... well... that's another post entirely.
:)
xDia