My CV reads like a patchwork quilt of careers. (I'm told this is common in creative, right-brained types). But buried among the list that includes Recruitment Consultant, Project Manager, Marketing and Government Assistant, is one job I ended up doing twice: Trainer.
Turns out I'm good at teaching people how to do their jobs.
I tell you that, only because it's the context in which I learned the following learning scale - and it's something you probably need to know.
It looks like this...
...and it's going to tell you how far you'll get as a writer:
UNCONSCIOUS INCOMPETENCE: You Don't Know What You Don't Know
(Or, "As far as I know, I know everything!")
This is where every writer starts. Whether or not you're naturally gifted, the first time you embark on telling a story in words you're incompetent. Accept it.
Roadblock Attitude: "I know enough to do what I want to do... why should I put the effort into learning the craft?"
The entire point of "Unconscious Incompetence" is that you DON'T know what you DON'T KNOW. And if you aren't willing to learn, you'll NEVER know it.
I'm beginning to see many writers never move beyond this point. Unwilling to learn, they don't recognize they're just plain incompetent. They never achieve, and never understand why.
CONSCIOUS INCOMPETENCE: You Know You Don't Know Enough
(Or "This is Harder Than I Thought!")
Conscious Incompetence is just that: the learner has learned enough to realize they're incompetent.
Roadblock Attitude: "Just because it's always been done that way, doesn't mean that's the way I should do it."
1. As a writer, you aren't only competing with yourself for success. There are people out there who do this professionally already. They've already been through the learning curve. Their stuff is already 'great'. When your talented-but-unrefined work goes up against theirs it always loses. Learn the rules first, then you'll know how to break them.
2. There's no doubt some people can learn 'on the job', but in the overall picture of your career it will take longer to succeed. Consider the time used up front as your investment in your own future!
CONSCIOUS COMPETENCE: You Know What to Do... But It's Work.
(Or "Why Is This Still Hard?")
My agent once said writers who were just getting a grasp on the craft reminded her of one of those American Idol contestants. You know the ones: They listen to the judges, take the advice - and work so hard to get it right that everything comes out robotic.
Roadblock Attitude: I'll never be good at this.
Never fear, eventually what's in the head sifts down into the soul. That's when American Idol contestants sing like canaries and writers paint pictures with words that leave people gasping. It's because they've reached...
UNCONSCIOUS COMPETENCE: Oh, That's Right - This Used to be Work.
(Or "What do you mean, that's amazing?")
The whole point of learning the craft, listening to those more experienced, and emulating those who've been successful is that one day it just happens... Without even thinking about it, you sit down to write a first draft and it comes out great. (Or at least, a version of 'good' that is much, much closer to 'great' than most can achieve).
There are no roadblocks, except those you raise for yourself, becuase you're there. You're good. And you don't even have to think about it.
That's why Stephen King can put out a book a year. That's why Diana Gabaldon can cross-genres. That's why I want to be like them: Because I know if I'm patient and hard working... one day it won't be work anymore.
SO, WHAT'S MY POINT?
This: Most aspiring authors are in the first two groups. It's unavoidable. I suspect there are certain things we can't learn until we're under contract and working with an editor. But if you imagine each of those boxes in a graded scale... well, you can also imagine where most of the 'aspiring' are sitting when they turn into 'author'.
Just some food for thought.
Where do you think you sit on the scale? Are you doing anything to move further along?
Turns out I'm good at teaching people how to do their jobs.
I tell you that, only because it's the context in which I learned the following learning scale - and it's something you probably need to know.
It looks like this...
...and it's going to tell you how far you'll get as a writer:
UNCONSCIOUS INCOMPETENCE: You Don't Know What You Don't Know
(Or, "As far as I know, I know everything!")
This is where every writer starts. Whether or not you're naturally gifted, the first time you embark on telling a story in words you're incompetent. Accept it.
Roadblock Attitude: "I know enough to do what I want to do... why should I put the effort into learning the craft?"
The entire point of "Unconscious Incompetence" is that you DON'T know what you DON'T KNOW. And if you aren't willing to learn, you'll NEVER know it.
I'm beginning to see many writers never move beyond this point. Unwilling to learn, they don't recognize they're just plain incompetent. They never achieve, and never understand why.
CONSCIOUS INCOMPETENCE: You Know You Don't Know Enough
(Or "This is Harder Than I Thought!")
Conscious Incompetence is just that: the learner has learned enough to realize they're incompetent.
Roadblock Attitude: "Just because it's always been done that way, doesn't mean that's the way I should do it."
1. As a writer, you aren't only competing with yourself for success. There are people out there who do this professionally already. They've already been through the learning curve. Their stuff is already 'great'. When your talented-but-unrefined work goes up against theirs it always loses. Learn the rules first, then you'll know how to break them.
2. There's no doubt some people can learn 'on the job', but in the overall picture of your career it will take longer to succeed. Consider the time used up front as your investment in your own future!
CONSCIOUS COMPETENCE: You Know What to Do... But It's Work.
(Or "Why Is This Still Hard?")
My agent once said writers who were just getting a grasp on the craft reminded her of one of those American Idol contestants. You know the ones: They listen to the judges, take the advice - and work so hard to get it right that everything comes out robotic.
Roadblock Attitude: I'll never be good at this.
Never fear, eventually what's in the head sifts down into the soul. That's when American Idol contestants sing like canaries and writers paint pictures with words that leave people gasping. It's because they've reached...
UNCONSCIOUS COMPETENCE: Oh, That's Right - This Used to be Work.
(Or "What do you mean, that's amazing?")
The whole point of learning the craft, listening to those more experienced, and emulating those who've been successful is that one day it just happens... Without even thinking about it, you sit down to write a first draft and it comes out great. (Or at least, a version of 'good' that is much, much closer to 'great' than most can achieve).
There are no roadblocks, except those you raise for yourself, becuase you're there. You're good. And you don't even have to think about it.
That's why Stephen King can put out a book a year. That's why Diana Gabaldon can cross-genres. That's why I want to be like them: Because I know if I'm patient and hard working... one day it won't be work anymore.
SO, WHAT'S MY POINT?
This: Most aspiring authors are in the first two groups. It's unavoidable. I suspect there are certain things we can't learn until we're under contract and working with an editor. But if you imagine each of those boxes in a graded scale... well, you can also imagine where most of the 'aspiring' are sitting when they turn into 'author'.
Just some food for thought.
Where do you think you sit on the scale? Are you doing anything to move further along?
I'm probably in box two and will only move along if I keep working at it and boy, it really is harder than I thought! So many things to think about and all at the same time!
ReplyDeleteI think I'm in Box 3, with rare, blessed glimpses of Box 4 when I'm in the zone. As in, the writing's still hard, but sometimes I surprise myself with how well the story comes together!
ReplyDeleteNot too long ago, I read about some research into judging one's competence, which essentially said that the problem for people in Box 1 is that they are not competent to judge their level of competence - they just don't have enough skill to tell good from bad. Even a little bit of teaching can push them into Box 2, by giving them the skills needed to assess their own work.
I think a lot of writing groups serve to help those that are willing to listen, to move from Box 1 to Box 2.
Conscious competence maybe? :-)
ReplyDeleteEvery time I thought I was out of box 2 something would happen to make me realize I'm still in it. I think now I've made it to box 3...at least I hope.
ReplyDeleteI like this post. I think I'm wavering between box 2 and box 3,hoping to one day to see Box 4.
ReplyDeleteWonderful advice. The bottom line is to keep writing no matter what your level.
ReplyDeleteI teeter between box 2, 3 and 4. But have we not been taught to think outside the box? When I rewrite and just before I send my work out I will be in the corner of box 1 naked, rocking and sucking my thumb!
ReplyDeleteI wonder if anyone's going to say they're in box one. That'd blow the theory, no?
ReplyDeleteBox 2. The walls are prickly. I liked box 1 much better. Is it possible to go back to box 1?
ReplyDelete