Thanks to Alex J. Cavanaugh, again (!), for running the Insecure Writer's Support Group! This blog hop is a great platform for writers to find others who are struggling to make sense of this sometimes defeating calling.
This last weekend I was bemoaning the fact that I'm not like a certain writer, and not long afterword I realized I had my topic for today. Fill in this blank and you have one of the many blocks any writer faces: I am not __________ enough.
Haven't you done it? Haven't you said or thought: I'm not enough? I could fill in that blank with so many things, and these are the ones that only apply to writing!
Educated
Smart
Funny
Modern
Fast
Writing
Doing
Commenting
Marketing
And it all boils down to this: you can't be enough - ever. There will always be someone who is doing more, who is smarter, funnier, faster, better at computers, marketing, or writing. So my advice for you *ME* is to be who you are, write what you write - write what you have to write!
When you are tempted to fill in that blank again, don't. You will grow as you are intended to grow, at the pace you were intended to keep. Just put your head down and write.
18 comments:
Good advice! It's pointless to compare ourselves to others. Our journeys are all different.
Have a great Wednesday!
I could fill that in as "I'm not energetic enough!" because some days I simply do NOT want to write - just the thoughts of it tire me out.
Yes, this blog hop is great, isn't it? It's how I met you.:)
That's the attitude! Just be the best YOU.
Well said. I have whispered those things to myself before and try to push them out of my head as quickly as I can. No need to let it sit and fester because it's not true.
Well said. I have whispered those things to myself before and try to push them out of my head as quickly as I can. No need to let it sit and fester because it's not true.
Be yourself, best advice a writer can have. If you don't write for yourself first and foremost it will show. Nice to meet you today.
Suzanne
IWSG co-host
I say that all the time...then I ignore myself. ;)
Happy IWSG!
Laura Eno – A Shift in Dimensions
There are those who are better. There are those who are worse. And there is everyone in between. Just keep writing.
This is great! It's time for many people to stop comparing themselves to others and concentrate on their own strengths.
www.modernworld4.blogspot.com
Today is a bloghop day, stopping by to say hi.
Hi - I found you from Mel's Blog Hop, but I participate in IWSG too.
I look forward to reading your blog.
Jai @And then...
That's certainly true, but I have also found that stretching your bounderies and trying to be 'more' turns you into a better writer, even if that means it will take a long time to write that book. Being yourself doesn't mean you can't improve ;-)
Hi there, Ian; it's nice to meet you. I'm from the blog hop, as well, and am also very fond of IWSG. It's funny you talk about feeling like you're not good enough, because I recently talked about that on my blog. Whenever I have distracting thoughts like "I'm not good enough. My writing sucks. This project is going nowhere. Everyone else writes better than me," that blocks my mind from being able to actually get some creative work done.
My dad shared some wise words with me a few weeks ago that's helped out a lot with these kinds of thoughts. He said, "Wendy, just ignore all the noise around you. Don't pay attention to what other people are doing or what paths they're taking – everyone's looking for something different. If writing is what you really love to do, then just do it."
Either way, you're not alone. :) Hope you're having a wonderful week!
~Wendy Lu
The Red Angel Blog
Aloha,
Mine had a curse word, but I feel better now :)
I also wanted to say thanks very much for stopping by and commenting on my recent D-Day post. (I'm still working through all the comments!)
CSM Ryan's story has received an incredible amount of support and a HUGE *Thank you* goes to DL Hammons - and all the Blitzers :)
PS: Bill said to let everyone know he really appreciated all the personal comments directed his way :)
I don't want to think like that!! I am just as good as I can be!!
Lots to learn, but...you never know I could turn out something wonderful one day!
www.sandysanderellasmusings.blogspot.com
Here for the hop! (Sorry I'm a bit late!)
This looks like a lovely site, and I'm excited to get to know you more! Best of luck in your writing adventures!
It's difficult to kick that envy bug, eh? I'm stopping in from the other blog hop, and I say you deserve some virtual cheese for a post well executed. I've thought about joining the insecure writers. One day, maybe. ;)
Funny thing is that I always think others are doing so much better than me.
Shocked me when someone told me they were trying to be more like me. WTH! Maybe it's all an illusion.
Post a Comment