Write for the Lovers not the Haters. Better yet, write for You. #MondayBlogs #Writing

I wrote this post a few months ago and feel it needs repeating. There are far too many artists out there holding their words and their art in fear of criticism.

April 2015:

It’s been a while since I’ve written about anything on the blog besides cover reveals and book releases, but today I feel the need to say a few words to the writers, creators, and artists.

When I started my writing journey five years ago, the main thing that continued to hold me back from putting my stories out into the world was fear.

The big bad word.

Fear is easy to succumb to. It loves to whisper in your ear. It loves to lie to you and keep you from what you want most.

I let it rule for a long time without even realizing it and it cost me.

And this is what I want to talk about today.

I’ve had fellow writers who are new to this industry ask me how I do it. How do I deal with the negative side of this industry. How do I have a thick skin. When I say negative side, I mean everything from reviews to rejections.

My answer is always the same: I’m not sure that my skin is thicker than anyone else’s, but what I am sure of is I have something to say.

The truth is, everyone has an opinion about every damn thing. Everyone always will. But you get to choose what you allow into your world and what you block out. I don’t read negative reviews. I used to in the beginning, but what purpose do they serve me now? The books are published. I can’t change them. I wouldn’t if I could.

I don’t take offense to rejections. Some of the rejections I’ve received contained bits of gold. I appreciate any agent or publisher who has taken the time to point out why I was rejected.

None of them had to say anything at all.

My writing has become stronger because they did.

I’ve been writing since I was nine years old. It’s as much a part of me as anything else. It’s something I love.

And I think that’s where the thick skin lies … I’m writing for me. I’m proud of me. I did something I’ve dreamed about. And I’m continuing to do it. So the haters can hate. It’s very easy to hate. It’s the easiest thing in the world to do. It takes no courage, no heart. Raising someone up … that takes real courage. Those are the people I choose to hear.

In the last two years, I’ve had three novels published, (the third released in September), a short story, another short story will release soon, and a fourth novel, that’s up for review on Net Galley, will release before the end of the year.

I’ve had, and continue to have, people who love my stories ( I LOVE YOU GUYS RIGHT BACK!! xoxoxo) and people who hate them. And I’m okay with that. I knew going into this that I would be setting myself up for better or for worse. I took that risk, faced that fear, and jumped anyway.

It’s the scariest thing in the world, but you have to jump anyway.

So, writers, authors, poets, artists, musicians, dancers, painters … do your thing, say whatever it is you have to say in whatever medium you choose to say it in because no one else can say it the way you can.

Then stand back, take in what you’ve done, and be damn proud.

Paint for you.

Sing for you.

Write for you.

Create for You.

****

“I write from my soul. This is the reason that critics don’t hurt me, because it is me. If it was not me, if I was pretending to be someone else, then this could unbalance my world, but I know who I am.”

~ Paulo Coelho

October 12, 2015 | Categories: Inspiration, Publishing, Writing | Tags: Author, laney mcmann, Writing Advice | 4 Comments