I think the biggest emotional challenge to writers and artists alike is the thought,
“Is my work good enough?”
I have met many people in the creative industry who worry about this and it can be paralyzing to the creation of future work. I don’t think I’ve met anyone who doesn’t have this doubt occasionally and I think it’s good and healthy as long as you do not let it become your master.
Your Work is Yours and Only Yours
I don’t think I’d like to meet a writer or artist who came into the room announcing how great they were. To be honest, I don’t think their work would be terrific either because artists/writers work with a sense of angst and unease—that is what gives their work an edge.
I do think it’s important to keep these thoughts in check, however. They must be harnessed to give you a better end product and not stop you from producing anything. If you ever get this thought it is important to rationalize it. After all, your work in writing, painting or acting is yours and only yours.
No One Writes Simply to Create a Masterpiece
Once you’ve tried your best to produce the best piece of work you can, you have to be proud of it, accept it for the best piece of work you could produce, and decide that yes, it is good enough.
You also have to explore the reason behind the writing. No one writes simply to create a masterpiece. You write because you have to write. The characters and their stories need to be told and that is all that matters.
If you do start to worry whether your work is good enough, step away from it for a while and re-center your thoughts on what is important—that of writing your characters’ stories. Go and do something you enjoy like reading, walking, going to the gym, or chatting with friends until you are re-focused on the important part of writing: that of enjoying the writing and sharing your stories with others.
Learn that Your Books Will Not Suit Everyone
Some people will like your writing, others will not. People are all different and will want to read different things. I don’t read romantic novels. That doesn’t mean they’re bad, they’re just not for me.
My books are the same—some people like them, others will not depending on their reading interests. You just have to learn your books will not suit everyone, accept the fact and then move on.
At Least Writing is Healthier than Cave Diving
Writing is a passion—it is your passion and it is always good enough. Unfortunately, writing is not really a healthy passion, but at least a lot healthier than competitive eating and safer than cave diving! But it is not the healthiest activity.
You stare at the keyboard for extended-hour sessions and end up with eyestrain and bad eyesight because nobody looks away from the screen every twenty minutes to protect their eyes. You have to think about what you eat and how to exercise every day to redress the fact that you’re sitting in a chair all day.
Additionally, writing is a solitary existence and man is not a solitary animal. Therefore, a writer needs to find other writers and communicate and socialize in groups. This is most easily achieved by joining writer’s groups or writing in coffee shops where you can talk, eat and be happy.
An Inquiring, Refreshed Mind is Key to Positive Writing Experiences
It’s important to change your environment and keep your mind fresh and active. I think an inquiring, refreshed mind is the key to positive writing experiences. A tired brain will only tell you things you do not want to hear.
Another aspect of life I find which inhibits my creativity is having a huge to-do list. I cannot write if I know I have to do the washing/ take the dog to the vet/ do my tax return etc. So I will do all the restricting chores first in order to free my mind and then sit down to write once my mind has been unburdened.
You Cannot Kill Your Passion Because It Scares Other People
The darkest moment in my writing career was at the very beginning when I announced I was writing a book and was going to be an author. Many people took a very negative stance with me giving up a steady job to chase a seemingly impossible dream.
I was called lots of interesting names by relatives and some people I thought were my close friends. However, you cannot kill your passion because it scares other people. I just stayed away from them and pursued my own dream. My success would be my answer to them.
I have many positive moments being a writer each one is a beautiful memory. It is a wonderful feeling when people really connect to your writing and listen as you read your story to them. Every time a piece of work/ book gets published it is amazing. A good review or kind word is always a special memory. ]
Writing gives you so many wonderful opportunities, which I am always grateful for. What keeps me writing is my characters—they are all special. If people can connect to them and understand the stories, then I am satisfied.
My advice to anyone thinking about writing is to just do it and enjoy it. Your writing is good enough. Just believe in yourself.
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P.J. Reed is a writer of warlocks and other magical creatures. She writes of dark fantasy worlds filled with magic, intrigue and adventure. She currently lives in Devon, with a handful of teenagers, one feral cat, and a dog called Fizz.
For more information on P. J. and her work, please visit her website, or connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and GooglePlus.
Defiance: the first installment in The Torcian Chronicles, a dark fantasy adventure series.
Mesham sits dejectedly in a tiny garret above an inn, as the lands of Torcia fall to the magically enhanced army of the infamous Mivirian Horde. One of the last surviving ancient warlocks of Torcia, Mesham knows he is marked for death.
The Torcian king knocks on Mesham’s door later that evening and offers him the chance of rejuvenation in return for a seemingly impossible mission into the heart of Mivir. Mesham reluctantly agrees, only to realize the evil of Mivir has spread to the very top of the Torcian government.
As Mesham undertakes his quest to complete the mission, he finds himself hunted by his king, by the mighty Torcian warbands, and by the Horde.
But he cannot fail, for the fate of Mesham’s beloved Torcia rests in his hands.
Available at Amazon.