Welcome to Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop. Every week she gives us different prompts to jump start are creative-selves. Visit her to find more lovely ladies joining in!
This week I chose prompt #3: I'll be happy when __________.
I actually have been thinking hard on this one and even began the draft yesterday. Here's a glimpse of my neurotic self talking in my head:
Okay, if I fill in the blank I am essentially admitting that I am NOT happy. But, I AM happy. But, I guess some things in my life would make me happier . . . kind of like an instant gratification-happy, not the long-term happy that I feel "almost" daily. Uh-oh, I just put almost in quotes, I've admitted to not being happy!!!.
So, yeah, see why this is difficult for me? Anyway, it brought me to my answer, I will be happy when I can write book reviews without beating myself up. I have been invited on several occasions to write reviews for our little weekly newspaper here in town, but I can't do it! I read reviews from the New York Times and The Los Angeles Times, and think, "Wow. That's a review." (Yes, I actually compared our small-town paper to the New York Times!!LOL!!) So what if they are actual writers getting PAID to do it, I should be able to sound like I know what I'm talking about, right? (And, I compared myself to a reviewer from the New York Times! LMAO!!!)
I feel like I need a class on how to write good book reviews. Taking a "class" is my answer to everything, in case you didn't know. For goodness sake, I've taken enough of them just to become a Highly Qualified Teacher for the State of California. I know there MUST be a book on how to write the most awesome, readable, enjoyable, error-free book review. Believe me, there's a book about everything! Ask my daughter, she worked at the USC depository shelving tons of obscure stuff -- hey mom, have you ever read Lewis Clark's Field Guide to Wildflowers of Field and Slope in the Pacific Northwest?
Obviously, it's time I pay our fabulous librarian, Erin, a visit -- BTW, half off your fine debt the entire month of July! But, ah, I digress. Anyhoo, that's all I have to say about that. I'll be happy when I can stop being my own worst critic.
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7 comments:
That's a good one. I'm my own worst critic too...until I get drunk. Then I'm the greatest thing walking the planet. Here's to finding a happy medium!~
Visiting from Mama Kats
I always owe money at the library too. I feel like it is a good cause at least : ). You know, books and reading. I pretend I am donating to literacy!
Just do it! Write a review. "You are good enough, you're smart enough, and gosh darn it people like you."
You are way too hard on yourself, I think! But my solution to everything is to find a book about it ... and I know there is a book on writing better book reviews because I saw it on a blog ... I think it was J. Kaye's Book Blog.
What's your criteria for a good book? What makes a great book? Once you list the criteria you want to evaluate, then you apply it to each book. That's the composition instructor coming out in me! You're reviews are about what YOU like in a book! So what is it YOU like? Have fun!
I worked at a small-town weekly newspaper for a while, and was nervous about writing because I didn't think I'd be good enough. The thing that helped me get over that was to just go ahead and write, and don't worry about what other people think. The more you write, the better you'll get and the more fun you'll have doing it. Also, try not to worry about the way the reviewer in the NY Times writes. Write like you. That way, your review will seem real and have your touch to it. I say go for it, and have fun. I bet you enjoy it, and I bet your readers will, too.
You're welcome. Thanks for visiting my blog! Any chance we'll get to read your book reviews when you write them?
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