When I talk to other writers about writing, I am talking to myself about writing.

“Are you afraid your stories aren’t good?”

“Of course. As I writer, I am creating another world, a made-up world, of people who somehow live inside of me. The story I write is for me, by me, and I wish to share it with others, so that they can enjoy the story. My job therefore is to write the best story I can. I wish it to be a work of beauty.”

In order to do this, I read, I study others’ writing, I learn about writing. I recognize the skill in an author’s sentences, and I observe the message contained within as it blossoms. A great story combines these skillfully. All learning and practice is important. But another important factor is what you tell yourself.

Perhaps this is not true for everyone, there are fearless writers, but it is true for me, and I know it is true for others: What you tell yourself matters. If your thoughts say “I can’t do this,” then you can’t. If your thoughts, or if others say, “You can’t write,” and you listen, then you can’t. But you can; that’s the truth. Listen to the music you like.

Thoughts about writing need to support writing. Don’t let negative neighbors into your house. It’s your house. You have every right to decorate it as you see fit. You have every right to plant flowers instead of vegetables, or to grow all beans and chiles. You have every right to change words, change worlds, change the weather, change the map. It’s your story,  your invention, your life.

Fear is always there, dripping like rain on a leaky roof. But we can place a large metal bucket under the leak and listen to the drops, and know they are contained to that bucket. We can remember the sun is there and wait for it. We can move into another room. We can patch the roof, or get a new roof. We can move into a new house.

You and I are writers. This means we must write, no matter what. Look at what stops you. And then don’t allow it to stop you.

As a writer, you are creating a work of beauty, of another world, of a made-up world, of people who somehow live inside of you. The story you write is for you, by you, and you wish to share it with others, so that they can enjoy the story. Your job therefore is to write the best story you can. You make it a work of beauty.

By the way, I love your story. Be not afraid.

Until next space…..