Wow, it’s 2020. Normally, I wouldn’t start off with an inspirational post, but this message is important. It’s something that has irked me as a writer (and a person) for years and I couldn’t come to terms with it until now.
There are days where I’ve been disappointed with myself as a writer and my accomplishments. (Everyone has those days whether it’s work, home life, school.) Looking at my writing, I wondered if it was good enough. I paid attention to numbers, social stats, and lately, stars. Star ratings and book reviews.
I counted how many reviews my book has gotten in its 3rd year as opposed to another indie book that’s only been out a week. My small number appears bleak in comparison. I feel like my books and I are alone, not reaching as many as we should.
That number brought me down to where I wondered, “What’s the point?”
I wished more people left reviews. I asked one to help but he refused, saying he never left reviews. He told me over and over again that he never wanted his opinion to change another’s.
After more disappointment and frustration, I realized he wasn’t talking about other readers.
He was talking about me. He didn’t want his words to change the way I felt about my own work.
While he’s given me praise and support in person, he didn’t want to fuel the flame of frustration and disappointment I had been experiencing. I couldn’t see it at the time, but even though it hurt, I realize he is right.
I don’t write for stars. I write for the universe. I write for myself. I write because my King gave me the gift. I want to give it back.
So if my stories only touched the lives of a handful, that’s more than plenty. I accept that I’m where I’m supposed to be, doing what I’m supposed to do.
I know you get discouraged from time to time. Maybe you started a project, someone said something, so you felt weird and started to give it up. My advice to you is to forget about seeking approval. You started that project because you enjoyed it. Because it’s something you love to do. Never forget that. Do what you love because you love it.
So that’s my advice for the New Year! Hope you had an awesome 2019 and I can’t wait to see what 2020 will bring.
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