Writer's Block Is Just the Wooooorst~

[IamtheWalrus]

Did I do the meme right?
Trying to understand today's memes, lingo and whatever. Still don't get 6 7...
This probably has been done before for the hundredth time... And the fellers who come on in here will wonder what Egghead is bringing in different from the other posts.
It's been a year since I wrote and published my first novelette... and while I felt proud and happy at first, I also have felt empty. Not because it flopped, sure that's part of the reason, albeit small, but because I feel like it wasn't worth publishing, even if it was done via self-publishing.
I wouldn't necessarily say this is imposter syndrome, I get that enough when I try to make a game in RPG Maker or draw and it will never go anywhere. It's more so the fact that I feel like what I wrote wasn't good enough, and even though I was told it was good... there is the part of my brain to where I know they're just being nice and saying it's "good" to make me feel better, cause they're my friends and family.
The only real critic I ever really had was my late-mother, who always saw potential in me and instead of just being nice she critiqued what I wrote. Pointed out flaws, what worked and what didn't work, and was always trying to help.
So, while I have recently come up with a new novelette to write... there is that nagging part of my brain that just prevents me from writing it. And I guess it kinda counts as a writer's block?
So... I think this is in the right section and wanted to know what should I do? And if anyone else has gone through with this.

 

[Vexicrypt]

Well, from countless interviews I've read or watched, most creative people end up not satisfied by their works. That's a part of getting better and honing your skills in general, I'd say. Learning never really stops. So look at it this way: if you don't like your last work (which again is normal), you already know what should be improved and got more experience from it, so the next one will be better no matter what.

Idk if it will help, but that's how I look at it. I always do my best and try to trust myself, even though its very hard sometimes. And yeah, my brain also doesn't take complements well for the same reason you mentioned, so I feel ya.

 

[UnDubious]

You can't get better if you don't write. So if you want to be a good writer, just write your novelette. And in the meantime, make sure you figure out what good writing is to you, and what you don't like about yours, so you know what direction to work in.

 

[beefbowl]

cause they're my friends and family

Your friends and family are not trained to give feedback on writing. You have to pay someone for professional feedback and editorial stuff. Or get a friend in publishing industry and make them do it for free.

So, while I have recently come up with a new novelette to write...

Write it now. Leave it be for some time, then return to it with a refreshed point of view and work on it some more. That's how writing works.

even if it was done via self-publishing.

Try to get in touch with real publishers. Getting noticed while people are self-publishing 10 AI books a day is impossible. Your reach will be bigger that way.