“Writing
is an exploration. You start from nothing and learn as you go.”~ E.L. Doctorow
Thirteen years ago I
decided to be a writer. Little did I know what this decision would cost me.
Little did I know how this decision would enrich my life.
I entered this world of
words ignorant, hopeful, expectant, and maybe just a little bit cocky. It
didn’t take long for me to be humbled. To my great astonishment, the world
wasn’t waiting to hear what I had to say! I kept writing trying to find the
right recipe, but most of my efforts failed.
Thank goodness for my
writer friends who encouraged me to keep at it. However, I’ve found that words
get into the writers veins and really, I couldn’t have stopped for long.
I’ve heard about writers
who say they have to write because the stories in their heads demand to be
told. I didn’t have such stories or demands. But what I did have was the desire
to connect with people and encourage them. It took several years of writing to
finally discover this was my niche, my voice.
The reason I’m writing
this blog is for those of you who are just starting out. It is so easy to
compare your writing experience, style, success—or lack thereof— with others.
Let me assure you that there will always be
someone more successful and always be
someone less successful than you. That is the journey. As you write you will
discover yourself, your style and voice, and just where you fit in.
Don’t get confused by
other writers. At conferences you will hear a broad spectrum of advice, which
is often contradictory. Treat this abundance of information like a buffet. Take
what resonates with you and leave the rest. Take small steps until you feel
ready to run. The burst out and sprint. If you fall, that’s okay. This may be a
sign to try a different path. Above all, be patient with yourself.
Explore, Learn, Write!
5 comments:
Love your title. Encouraging words and keep it coming.
Very good, and useful, post, Linda. We all need encouragement, no matter what rung of the writing ladder we are on.
Brenda
I think that God gives each of us our very own reason to write. Then writing becomes something that helps you, and if you neglect it, you feel sort of uneasy in your own skin. At least that's the way its been for me.
Lovely blog.
Jackie King
That's helpful information. Thanks, Linda.
As inspirational as always, Miss Linda. My biggest problem when I started writing (besides my writing,) was figuring out who to listen to at conferences. It was so confusing. I've come to realize that the roads to publishing are as diverse as the authors traveling them. When it is your time, it happens. The only thing you can do is stay true to your craft. Never give up because it will happen.
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