When I first started delving into the wide world of writers and publishing I was intimidated rather quickly. There’s a lot more to publishing than I expected, I had been naive. I hadn’t realized that even once your book has been picked up, there is still a multitude of work to be done. I didn’t realize just how many writers there are trying to fulfill their fantastical dreams.
I got over it eventually, telling myself that I would simply have to be brilliant, and if I were, then I would have nothing to worry about. I would let my writing speak for itself.
And then I made the huge giant mistake of delving deeper. Perpetually reading articles about what you should, can’t, better not, and must always do when it comes to writing. It made me realize just how little I really knew about the art. Sure the words come flowing off my furiously tapping fingertips, but they don’t really care about the rules. How am I, this uneducated little girl, ever going to make it in this big wide world?

I floundered for a little while, but I have to admit, I’m not particularly fond of the sensation. I came to a few conclusions.

First of all – Yes. There are multitudes of writers out there who are better than me. But, none of them are me. None of them have my particular sound, my methods.
Second – (don’t you just love point form?) I may not be amazing, and my grammar might bite the big one, but I can get better. I can learn, I can adapt, and I know I will.
Third – As long as I love it, why should I give it up? Perhaps I won’t be able to publish my first book, or my fifth, but as long as writing still gives me a thrill, I’m going to continue. It’s my passion. Mine. No one can take it away, and there is only one person who can ruin my enjoyment of it. Me.
Fourth – [Square brackets are amazing.] I love them. Ever since I read a blog post about them a few months ago (my fuzzy little brain cannot remember who by, so someone should remind me if they know) about how they can be used as markers for something you need to go back and write later or where you need to research. My manuscripts are now littered by things like
[Research how long a horse can survive without food and water]
[This is boring. Fix it. If you don’t the monster that lives in the jar, under the stairs, in the pantry, in the house next door… ]
[Do you honestly think a real human being would say something this ridiculous? No. I didn’t think so.]

For me, they stand out just enough that I notice them and go back and fix whatever the issue is without really distracting me. They’re easy to search for when I’m on an editing spree because I don’t use square brackets in my actual writing. Every time the search pops up with one, I know it’s something I need to work on. They are my friends. It’s a simple thing, but one I hadn’t thought of, and I’m glad I have discovered them. As with this little thing, I will continue to grow and adapt.

So the point of this post is thus – Writing is an art. There will always be someone who is better than you, but you write in your own unique style. As long as you cultivate it, don’t give in to the pressure of ‘trying to make it big’, and just keep writing. Then nothing can get you down.
There is no such place as – “I want to be a writer.” You either are. Or you aren’t. Simple as that.

It is a lesson that has cheered me up remarkably, and one that I shall endeavor never to forget.