Are We as Writers Our Own Worst Critic?

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I’ve written many articles on the internet and more times than not, i’m not exactly proud of my work.

It’s midnight, the middle of the working week and i’m seven hours away from resuming my full time employment. I’ve looked, cut, edited my article to pieces, aiming for the best possible content to submit to my editor. I feel rather sleepy, all I want to do is finish my article. I decide enough is enough and I save, and hit the attach to e-mail button. I send the article, explaining in my e-mail that this may not be my best work and I apologise, advising to let me know if any problems.

The next day my work is up online. My editor replies back “It’s fine, don’t be so harsh on yourself”. I’m still not satisfied with my effort, but my editor is so that’s the main thing.

Are we really our own worst writing critic?

Of course, we are. When you run your own freelance business you want to submit your best work as possible. It’s disappointing to view your work later on with lack of flow in some sentences and the odd spelling mistake. 

Even though sometimes your work is looked at by others as impressive, it’s sometimes tough to justify in our own mind.

How can we appreciate our own writing?

By experience. As times go by and as you write contribute more content, your work is destined to improve. We will eventualy learn to write and submit our own articles a lot easier, and with that experience we learn to appreciate our work more.

It’s hard not to be our own worst critic but as time goes on, the process gets easier. I’m slowly learning, but i’ve still got a fair load of writing and editing yet to appreciate the content i’ve produced.