nThis week’s blog challenge writing prompt is “Worst writing advice I’ve gotten.”
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nThat would have come from a close family member who strongly suggested I relinquish my dreams and stop writing: “No one will ever want to read what you write.”
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nThat hurt. It still stings, because that person still feels the same way. However, I refuse to give up my dreams and I continue to write. If I don’t write, my brain will explode.
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nHow difficult is it to explain why I write? I describe it as a compulsion: the voices in my head want expression. It gets pretty damned crowded in there, you know. My mind seldom shuts down–which makes for many, many sleepless nights and a cranky you-know-who–because it’s always working on a story. I might never write many of those stories, but that doesn’t mean they’re not occupying my brain.
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nI cannot think of the last time I ever asked someone for writing advice. Probably because I don’t. I’ll seek advice regarding publishing, freelance business, etc., but not about writing. I learn from the advice given to others, cherry-picking those nuggets that strike me as particularly cogent and wise. I give advice. But I don’t ask it.
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nI know my craft. I fancy my skills have reached the pretty damned good stage. And I write what I want. I write because I need to write. And those who don’t want to read it certainly don’t have to. Luckily, some folks do and I appreciate them.
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