Honestly, I still feel as broken, sad and alone as I felt when I was fifteen. Time passed, things got better, but I didn't... Am I gonna feel like this forever???
Hey, you … yes, you reading this post. Would you like some advice on how to gain confidence in your writing?
Yeah?
Okay, here it is:
Know why.
Those lists of writing “dos and don’ts”? Fuck ‘em. If they’re not wrong on the facts (there is not and has never been anything wrong with beginning a sentence with “and”), then those cookie cutter, clout-seeking, expertise-faking lists might be wrong for you and your writing.
So, to be confident in your unique writerly choices, be able to discern the why: Why you choose to break or follow a “rule” or why your characterization makes sense or why a reader should care about a particular moment/scene/plot.
A gentle “why” is how we have learned since toddlerhood. That’s why explaining things to yourself in this way can help increase your confidence. (“Why is a sentence in passive voice when active voice is supposed to be ‘better’?” Because the sentence is trying to create a mystery, and passive voice works well for that. “Why is this story set in the mountains instead of at a beach?” Because I’m the author and I feel more confident describing mountain life. “Why does character A think character B is pretty when fandom says character B is unattractive?” Because have you seen character B? Fandom is wrong.)
The best way to feel better about your writing is to ask yourself — kindly, gently — why you’re doing it … then believe your answer.
GUYS HELLLP THERE WAS SOMEONE ON THE NEWS TALKING ABOUR ASEXUALITY ANND I QAS LIKE OH SHIT YEAH REP ANS SO I STARTED RECORDING AND THEN I COULD HEAR MY DAD WATCHIF PORRN IN THE NEXT ROOM SOMEBODY KILL ME
Did anyone else burst out laughing when Poseidon essentially yeeted his son off Olympus when the conversation was getting too emotional? Like dude. Y’all were having a moment. What kind of good bye was that. Sir.