Revisiting the Site: 8 Quick Personal Observations About Being Better at Writing

(CS: It looks more likely that next week will be when I'm back to grooving on this site.)

As I aim to make 2022 the best year yet for my writing career, here are eight quick thoughts that have found their way into my brain. I find them helpful for motivation and getting me out of the dumps, so I hope it has some value for you as well. (CS: 2022 did not end up my best year yet. 2024 at least is seeing my freelance career stomping back to providing a livable income again.)

1. It is better to publish something mediocre than to hide a masterpiece. (CS: I've been struggling with this when trying to tackle writing of some substance or getting back on the movie review train. My mojo has been so out of whack that I've been plucking every possible handy excuse to avoid jumping fully into many creative ambitions. To be fair, getting work done for paying clients is a solid excuse, and I hope very soon to be in a spot where I can successfully manage getting their work done along with my own.)

2. Writing is a conversation. That amazing, earth-shattering and overwhelming thing you want to write about can be returned to and expanded upon over the years rather than something you must communicate perfectly one time. (CS: This is another struggle. I can write about an iconic celebrity passing, a major news item, or a movie review, and know that post is not my definitive take. It can be revisited.)

3. The first time ever in your life when you tried to walk you landed on your ass. Over the years you've likely not only been able to walk upright but even been able to run. You can't run with your writing without allowing yourself to land on your ass first. (CS: Dare to be awful.)

4. The best writing advice is to just write. This may be the thing many people with big writing dreams forget the most. (CS: Even the most daunting client work or writing task because much less once you start writing,)

5. Nobody is yearning for a cheap imitation of Stephen King, but they have been unknowingly begging for the original you. (CS: This can be a hard thing to fathom if you wrestle with imposter syndrome. But take that chance.)

6. It is okay to suck. It is not okay to allow suck to be the final chapter in your writing life. (CS: This applies to all things in life.)

7. It is your personality, experiences and perspective that make your writing stand out, so let that stuff honestly shine. (CS: This can also be very scary in the world of social media and online trolls. It also allows for the very best writing and creativity. Dare to piss people off. You can always ignore the comments.)

8. You can always be better. You should always want to be better. (CS: I've learned confidence is being okay with failure. A writer and creator knows they aren't perfect but keep going anyway while striving for excellence.)