Learning to learn

[John Dean]

I teach aspiring writers all over the world and one thing that comes through is a strong sense that just about all of them recognise that they are still learning. I think most writers feel that. They will continually criticise their own work and learn from the experience.

It's a fine line between that approach and a lack of confidence, which you see in writers at classes who say 'I do not really want to read this out because it is not as good as everyone else's.' I understand that. I have the same uncertainties about my work and am continually learning, learning from my editors, my publisher, other writers and readers. Hopefully I improve with each book.