The other day, I was scrolling through Twitter when a question froze me. “Who else smiles when reading their writing?” The lady wrote. My first thought was, “Not me madam, not me. I cringe when reading my stuff.” She said my answer made her sad and hoped that one day I could also smile at my writing.
Hating your writing is a sign of growth
Knowing that you suck means that you’re good enough to recognize good work
- The creative gap describes the difference between what you think you’re capable of writing and what you wrote
- Seeing the gap is the first step to closing it
- Don’t beat yourself up, you’re growing
Other people will love your work, and that matters more
It’s the audience that gives value to creative work.
- So, when someone takes the time to open the comment section and compose a short admirative text, embrace it. Remember that someone else may love it.
The creative gap drives you to improve
When you feel upset about your writing, grab a book, devour some pages, then write some. You’ll feel better, and Stephen King will be proud of you.
- Your goal is to write something less mediocre than your last draft.
It’s better to underestimate yourself than to be delusional
It’s healthier to tell yourself, “Look. Right now, you’re not where you want to be as a writer. To get there, you gotta be humble, seek feedback, and break a sweat or twenty-two.”
