We’ve all heard the words – “You can’t write, you’ll never make it, you’re never going to get published, no one cares about your work”. We’ve all met the people who’ve said them. For lots of us, those words get us really riled up. But for some… We believe them. We believe those people. We believe those words. We let the chatter get into our head, and that really is a terrible thing. And some of you might be thinking “But they’re right. My work is a mess! It’s nowhere near as good as (insert favorite author. Personally, I like Shannon Messenger). It’s nothing like the bestsellers. Well, let me tell you this.
It doesn’t have to be.
For all of us, there are going to be times when we look at other people’s work and wish our own work was just like theirs! And we all think that would be amazing. That’s not true. Part of what makes a story yours is… well, you. You’re the one who created the story! You gave it it’s heart and soul! Through writing, readers get to see the raw, unfiltered version of you. They get to feel with the story, learn with it, and find their own heart and soul with it! Now, a little inspiration and a lot of idea stealing here and there isn’t bad. In fact, I highly recommend it! But changing your story, changing who it is, just so your story matches one of the amazing ‘bestsellers’ that have stunning reviews won’t get you anywhere.
In fact, it’s going to push you back. You’re going to look at all those amazing stories out there – stories that are not yours – and keep changing your own story to match theirs. And the result? A whole mess. As I said, what makes a story yours is you. You have to write it. You have to let the story breathe, live with it, give it its own heart and soul! That will make your story stand out! And that’s the only thing that will get you your readers. It doesn’t matter how small your reader group is. All that matters is that you’re writing! You know it! Bit by bit, during this NaNoWriMo, you’re chipping away at a giant block of marble, and you know, in the end, it’s going to turn out into something beautiful.
Sure, there might be other sculptures out there that are awesome! But if you change the heart and soul of your story, the things that make your story who it is, just to match the other sculptures in the museum, you won’t truly catch anyone’s attention. You’re just going to be copying a blank board. Do note that this is different from idea stealing and basing stories on other stories. I honestly was just writing my own version of Warriors when I wrote Enchantria. But it was my own version. I stole a lot from it, learned a lot from Warriors, but it was my own version, and I let the story grow and change as it pleased into something unique, beautiful, and brand new.
So don’t worry about copying all the bestselling books out there! Just let your story breathe and don’t forget – no matter what – to always be you! Especially when writing. Because the real you is going to shine through, and that’s really what makes a story a story! Connection, heart, soul, and growth. So get your butt back into your seat, tickle those keyboards, pick up that pen and go write! Let your magic run wild!
I’m rooting for you, and I’ll see you all at the finish line!
Love, Isabelle
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