for the first time, I know how to answer that question about writing
it's now or never girl
~ about a 4 minute read
my friend recently asked me, ‘are you naturally gifted, or have you done writing workshops?’ it made my day because honestly, I feel like an imposter writer - don’t we all. recently however, when people ask me what I do, a voice says, it’s now of never girl, and I answer with bravado - I’m a writer and tarot reader. since saying it out loud I have been doing quite well.
but when my friend said this, I started thinking and reflecting on my ‘writing career’. I am not naturally gifted at all, but I do try really hard. I would love to do about 1000 writing workshops, but I can’t afford them so instead, I try and learn from the world and the people around me.
I read lots of articles here from writers I respect. I was subscribed to
for months, doing as many writing tasks as I could. and I read. I read lots and lots. I guess self-taught doesn't mean you are an imposter; it just means you do the work on your own.
I’m a big believer in self-taught creatives. I believe that if we want to do something, we simply must do it. and if we want to get good at that very thing, then we must keep doing it. practice and discipline will get you anywhere. many well-known musicians, painters, and writers learnt just from doing the thing they loved, over and over again, and learning on the job.
I don’t think I am an astounding writer, but I do know I have built an audience here, from nothing, with paid subscribers. for nearly three years now I have written something every Monday, not missing a single week, save when I gave birth to my son. I kept going when no one was paying any attention and that definitely says something. maybe that’s all that sets people apart; some never give up.
we have egos - we feel we should be good at everything we do or we do not try. when you create and put it out there, if it is not received well, not granted the praise you may expect, most give up. for me, I see the failures as tests - how much do you want this? will you keep going? so I persist because that is all life is. I persist, not because of ego, but the lack of; we endure because our failures do not make us fragile, but fluid and ever-changing. if you want the universe to work for you, you must first show her what you’re made of.