26 Comments

Thank you for this. I do feel the lesser when I read such great work like yours and Jeff Goins. But I've had people really appreciate my writing, many times, for a weekly newsletter they couldn't wait to receive and share with others. So, I know I can produce good work. Just need the practice. And I've been using 750words.com for years, which is great 'morning writing' or personal blather, but writing in public is the real work, the real practice. I'll get on it. Thanks.

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All excellent points!! I find my rears its ugly head when I am not working on my writing enough (or what I would like to be) because other things have gotten in the way. If I take action and focus on me, focus on my own journey, then I find it goes away. I remember this time when I was cycling home once, and someone sped past me, and I thought - well who knows where they started from, and who knows where they will be stopping. I can't compare myself to a moment of someone else's journey when there's no way to know compare their beginnings and ends and whatnot. I'm not sure that made sense... But I apply that to writing too when I can. Always a journey...

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Like Michael,. I write because I want to write. - and write well. Fortunately, I don't have to make a living at it, which might change my perspective.

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You gotta write for the sake of writing. But I feel you. I’ve been there. Still am to a degree. I have more of an arrogance problem, myself: I firmly believe my writing is very strong (I’ve had enough pros in the industry tell me this) yet still no published novel. Dozens of pubbed stories. Pushcart Prize nomination. But yeah. Rejected by The Gatekeepers. I think I write too honestly. I’m not P.C. I’m interested in raw truth and authenticity. This is why I love Substack--so many good, genuine, ambitious writers here!! Proud to be among you all.

Michael Mohr

‘Sincere American Writing’

https://michaelmohr.substack.com/

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I'm excited that I'm a writer, and that at the moment my writing is something for ME! I admire successful writers but at the same time I admire people just like me - and I admire myself toooooo - who are experimenting with words, stretching them and putting them through their paces in their own writers' work-out as they - we WORK OUT what we're doing. I'm whelmed (yeah, I've made that up!) rather than overwhelmed by the sheer gift of being in the online presence of other writers whom I admire, and envy isn't something that occurs to me to have.

SUCH a great post, Cali - thank you!

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Great post, Cali. I don't feel envy when I see other writers doing better than me, because I usually feel too annoyed by their "humble" bragging to think about it! I think your point about comparing yourself to yourself is very profound.

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I just keep writing.

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I’ve read a bunch of articles that say unless it’s a Pulitzer or huge award,awards mean nothing except they boost the writers ego. They don’t increase sales. And I find Twitter is more about writers talking to writers, not w readers. So yr right - be consistent. I just went through the first-rewrite-blues where I was ready to throw in writing completely. I don’t know where my book is going, feel like I’m not writing fast enough or am good enough - and how in the world am I going to make writing financially viable? But I’m sticking w it.

Also - if yr ever jealous of a writer and their book, give me the title and I can tell you what they’re grossing each month on Amazon. 😁 I check every so often to stay inspired and to remind myself some writers are making a fortune. And I can be one of them also....

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Hi Cali, I'm new to your circle and I wanted to tell you that this was very inspiring. It can be hard at times wondering if what we write is good enough. But like you pointed out, practice and being consistent is the key. There is always going to be someone out their that might seem better than us, but we can't let it stop us if writing is what we love.

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