I always feel like I write into the goddamn wind. Like, who gives a shit about what I write because there are so few comments!? But I have thousands of subscribers, so I know some people read and like my stuff…yet it’s easy to second guess yourself in this biz.
Ultimately, I write what I want to read. I have to write for myself. And not give a rat's ass about who comments and who doesn’t. My two cents.
My limiting thought is, do I have anything new to say, something that has not already been said. This is why memoir writing appeals to me, no one else has my lived experience. Now I’m wondering how to turn my experiences into something interesting enough to read.
Sometimes I wonder if this self-doubt around writing (should I? who am I to do this? is this self indulgent?) is more common for female vs. male writers. Whenever I doubt myself or worry I'm being too navel gazey, I remind myself that there are many, many (oh so very many) male essayists that are part of the literary canon and I'm like...yeah, I have something to say and I'm going to say it. So do you. Please don't ever stop writing.
I always feel like I write into the goddamn wind. Like, who gives a shit about what I write because there are so few comments!? But I have thousands of subscribers, so I know some people read and like my stuff…yet it’s easy to second guess yourself in this biz.
Ultimately, I write what I want to read. I have to write for myself. And not give a rat's ass about who comments and who doesn’t. My two cents.
Love this comment. And, yes, to writing what I want to read! Thank you so much.
This certainly hits the nail on the head.
Thanks, Patti!
I read this again. And restacked it. And hearted it. And I commented TWICE. I might tape this to the wall next to my desktop. "You simply write."
This was brilliant. Thank you for writing it.
My limiting thought is, do I have anything new to say, something that has not already been said. This is why memoir writing appeals to me, no one else has my lived experience. Now I’m wondering how to turn my experiences into something interesting enough to read.
....just sometimes, I think we writers think too much about writing... amazing how our minds navigate to whole process....
Sometimes I wonder if this self-doubt around writing (should I? who am I to do this? is this self indulgent?) is more common for female vs. male writers. Whenever I doubt myself or worry I'm being too navel gazey, I remind myself that there are many, many (oh so very many) male essayists that are part of the literary canon and I'm like...yeah, I have something to say and I'm going to say it. So do you. Please don't ever stop writing.