From a journal entry on April 22, 2016
Writer's write, yes, but they also...
• Worry
• Procrastinate
• Stress
• Get depressed
• Feel guilty for not having done enough
• Wonder if they'll ever measure up to the perfect (skewed) image of themselves
• Constantly second-guess themselves
• Find every excuse not to write
• Find every excuse to drink coffee/tea
* Get too wrapped up in the minutiae of other things—marketing, publishing, networking, etc.—that are not writing
• Worry too much about the details instead of getting their work done and out into the world
• Seek validation, but can never get enough of it
• Often wish they were some other, more "successful" writer
* Worry too much about becoming a bestseller instead of a bestwriter
• Always have enough ideas for a lifetime of books, but are too afraid to commit them to paper and see where they lead
• Let fear stop them from their greatness
• Let fear rob them of the joy of writing "just because" and out of a sense of—and desire for—discovery
• Never take enough time for themselves
• Are always aware of their many shortcomings
• Are hardly, if ever, aware of their worth, not only as writers but as human beings
* Take themselves too seriously
* Love supporting other writers, without realizing that they also need to give themselves the same support
* Rely too much on "the Muse" or inspiration, when they should instead draw them out by writing
* Forget that, sometimes, they don't have to write or feel guilty about not writing
There are many others, but you get the idea. If these describe you, congratulations! You're a writer! But remember this: Don't let this list define you. *Who you allow yourself to become in the face of these qualities is what ultimately defines you as a writer.
Now, go forth and write, leaving the rest behind.
Be brave!
Thanks so much for reading, commenting, voting, and for offering any encouragement to myself and any other "writing failures" out there! I appreciate your support.
Note: The *d ones are the ones that stood out most to me.
YOU ARE READING
Confessions of a (Self-Professed) Writing Failure
Random"Confessions of a (Self-Professed) Writing Failure" is designed to be a collection of musings I've deemed unworthy of posting as content on my blog, but that still matter to me as a writer. These can be anything from entries from one of my many jour...
