Writing World Wednesday - Gain Permission

Many people say they are not good enough when it comes to writing. The same excuses are like:

"Nobody will read this."

"I don't have enough time to write."

"I'll write when I earn more experience."

"Writing is too damn hard."

Instead of sitting around ranting about how writing should be or gain wisdom from the writing gurus from otherworldly planets, why not start now? I mean right now, at least until you finish reading this. 

School teaches many things beyond the realms of regurgitating history or memorizing periodic tables. You can learn everything there is about writing and grammar by reading voraciously. You don't need to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on classes or travel around the world; if you pick up a pen and paper or computer, you are good enough because you've moved past the point of anxiety. You can take advantage of resources and learn from many successful authors like Stephen King, Kristin Hannah, and Brandon Sanderson. By eliminating passive activities in your day, like watching Youtube, finding singles in your area, browsing or playing games on your phone or worst - and this is what tormented me for years on end - let doubt swallow your life. If you've got something more important than writing, ask yourself why you want to write in the first place. If you do, in fact, have something you wish to share, will it be your priority over other old habits that hold you back? If so, then more power to you. 

Start with yourself before writing for others. Find something you enjoy reading or a piece of art or music that captivates your mind to where you can't stop thinking about. A page full of pride and adventure. Patricia Clarkson was a tough cookie. For people who knew her, they thought of her as harsh who only took away people's dignity and brought slimy snails as guests to restaurants (Yes, slimy snails). While she did battle with depression and alcoholism, Patricia made time for yourself to reflect: The brilliant Mr. Ripley series and the importance of self-pride and bringing suspense to readers. J.D. Salinger moved away from the public view in New York City to the countryside of New Hampshire after the success of The Catcher In The Rye. He loved what he did, even if others did not read his works. Some of which have been unpublished.

Whatever type of writer you are, you don't need validation from me or anyone to find out what's worth doing. Don't ask for permission, gain it. There will be times where you want to give up because you only wrote 10 words or 500 out of 1000, or perhaps none at all because you've doubted how the manuscript or blog post should be constructed. This strange job that pays very little is a lonely craft. What's important is making history on the blank page and emptying the mind from overthinking later. If I don't have anything to write I like to listen to music, the kind of music I have a guilty pleasure with. I don't like the lyrics, but paying attention to the orchestra is more uplifting. Another thing I like to do is learn from authors on how they've struggled to write a story while paying their debts. It can be grim, but at least they write as if their life depended on it (That sounds like me!)

If you haven't figured out already, simply put that you must tell yourself, 
"I'll work on this one paragraph or plot hole and quit whenever I feel like it." Do the work because you can't be anything else. Do it to get away from all the drama that brings you down. Give yourself permission.

Anything else is not negotiable.