Words to the wise - #MFRWAuthor 52-Week Blog Challenge

This week's blog challenge writing prompt is "Worst writing advice I've gotten."

That 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."

That 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.

How 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.

I 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.

I 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.