Writer's Insightful Twitter Thread Explains The Pitfalls Of Getting Better At Things

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Eric Lund
Nov 5, 2021 7:00 PM EDT

Anyone who's ever worked at anything has probably had a moment like this described by @_Page_Turner. When we first get into developing a skill, we aren't aware of the massive mistakes we're making, and as we get better at that thing, the gulf between our actual skill level and our desired skill level becomes apparent. But hey, that doesn't mean it's a good idea to stop trying. That said, that's just most of us. Sometimes we never learn, like this person who thought they were writing the next Twilight and wanted it edited for free.

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  • 01
    Organism - Page Turner @_Page_Turner Terrible secret: There's a really awkward thing that happens to all writers (and other artists/creatives/ makers). They get good enough that it becomes hard enough to write anything. As your skill increases, so do standards. So everything you write your feels mediocre. 8:39 AM · 01 Nov 21 · Twitter Web App
    via _Page_Turner
  • 02
    Mammal - Page Turner @_Page_Turner The weird part is that this "mediocre" writing is far better than what you were writing before. You have just moved the goalposts on yourself as you improved. So you have to learn to give yourself permission to write anything. Even if you think it's bad. 8:40 AM · 01 Nov 21 · Twitter Web App
    via _Page_Turner
  • 03
    Organism - Page Turner @_Page_Turner What usually happens at that point is that you either: A) end up not writing badly at all and surprising yourself with what you manage to produce OR B) create something that has issues but is easily editable later on into something that meets your standards 8:41 AM · 01 Nov 21 · Twitter Web App
    via _Page_Turner
  • 04
    Organism - Page Turner @_Page_Turner But wow, is it a gnarly adjustment to ignore that emotional reflex of "this sucks, I suck" and press on anyway. 8:41 AM · 01 Nov 21 · Twitter Web App
    via _Page_Turner
  • 05
    Organism - Page Turner @_Page_Turner I do find myself frequently wondering how many writers reach this awkward phase, believe wrongly that they suck, and never write again -- just at the point when they're starting to get good! l'd imagine A LOT of them. 8:42 AM · 01 Nov 21 · Twitter Web App
    via _Page_Turner
  • 06
    Font - Page Turner @_Page_Turner And no, this doesn't just happen with writing. It happens with every kind of artist and craftsperson. People tend to quit just as they're getting good, because their standards have raised along with their skills. 8:43 AM · 01 Nov 21 · Twitter Web App
    via _Page_Turner

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