Hi there! I wish I could start this post by NOT saying "it's been a while..." but it has been a while, so...hi, it's been a while. :)
Today we're answering another reader question that I often get:
What can you say to people who like to write?
Well, what can I say?
I'm by no means an expert, but since you asked, here are my two cents:
My friend, you and I are in for an interesting ride. Seatbelts are optional. :)
See, writing is a funny little two-faced coin. It's both a blessing and a curse. Some days, it's a good friend like Cady Heron; other times it's just a mean b*tch like Regina George. (Plus points if you get the Mean Girls reference ;) )
On one hand, you get to breathe life into things.
Neil Gaiman said something like: there are whole worlds hiding in the 26 letters of the alphabet. And it's true. I'd like to think that if you love to write and have the talent for it, you've been given something special.
Think about it: you can wield words and use them however you please:
You can use them to hurt, to love, to explain, to change a mind...or a thousand. Writing is exhilarating most of the time. Enjoy the ride.
Still, there will be times when writing will feel like a burden.
People will rarely understand why you space out a lot, or why you need a pen and paper all of a sudden. They won't get your obsession with words. When you give them a short story to read, you'll only often get responses like "it's ok" or "it's nice"--- not something constructive to help you become a better writer.
Frustration will gnaw at you, some days. Other days, writer's block will be like a bully knocking you over in a school hallway, and you'll be forced to stand up to it or fall and get kicked in the stomach over and over again.
There were even days when I wished I didn't like to write.
Being a writer is not a walk in the park, especially when you're living in a developing country like ours. Getting a stable job is not easy. There were days when I wished I didn't like words. I wished I was good with numbers or business or science. Something that's not so fickle.
But over time, I came to realize that writing is not some feral beast that I have to fight every time; it's a creature that I can tame, through practice and perseverance.
Writing can be tough, but that doesn't mean that you have to give up on it. I know I didn't. Even when it was hard, I just couldn't let go of it. I loved it too much. It was as much a part of me as the color of my eyes.
So, in conclusion, if you like to write, keep at it.
You don't have to quit your day job to do it--- it can be like a side-hustle or a hobby.
Then, get better at it. Practice your craft. Write in a journal, explore interesting books, make a blog.
However, you choose to do it, have an outlet for your creativity. A couple of hours of writing each day can go a long way. Even if you don't get to publish something huge, these little things can ultimately make you a better writer. Personal improvement is an achievement in itself.
Lastly, surround yourself with people who appreciate what you do. A good support system can do a lot of good. Negative people can tear your dreams apart with their bare hands, but people who encourage you can build it up.
Don't be afraid of constructive criticism--- you'll always need fresh eyes and an objective voice if you want to get better. If you can't find any, my nerdy page Cliffhanger Cebu is there to help out in whatever way it can. :)
So, that's it! I have a lot of things to say about writing but I hope this would suffice for now. I hope this was helpful! :)
Share this with a writer who needs encouragement today!
If you've got any questions, don't hesitate to shoot me a message over at my FB page or Instagram and I'll do my best to answer them here.
Til the next post,
K x
Post a Comment