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“The role of a writer is not to say what we can all say, but what we are unable to say.” Anais Nin #amwriting #WritingCommunity

As an author, it’s easy to fall into the trap of measuring your worth against sources of external validation: positive reviews, awards, bestseller lists, etc. But this cycle of seeking external validation isn’t sustainable—for your story, for your writing career, or for you. 🧵:

If you don't believe in your story first & foremost, then no amount of external validation is ever going to be enough. Layer on the fact that many of us also deal w/ impostor syndrome—the inability to see our worth even if others do—and overcoming self-doubt can feel impossible.

If you constantly think negatively about your story or your writing ability and seek approval from others for motivation, you may create a self-fulfilling prophecy where you end up not reaching your goals b/c you told yourself you wouldn’t from the outset. So how to combat it?

When self-doubt creeps in, try to adopt this mindset shift: “External validation is great, but I must believe in my story first.” Success has nothing to do with awards or bestseller lists. Success is telling the story you feel called to tell, the way you want to tell it.

Every writer (no matter where they are on their journey) should read this. nathanbransford.com/blog/2024/06/i…

A book I return to, again and again. Anyone else do this with their favourites?

If you feel that inner fire compelling you to tell this story, if it's in your brain and it's itching to come out, write it. Don't worry about whether it's going to be "publishable." Don't worry about whether anyone's ever going to read it. Write it for yourself first.

Remember that, even if no one ever reads this story, you’ll be a stronger writer for having finished it. All of the skills you learn in the process of crafting this story for yourself are going to make all of your future stories that much better.

After you get a pub deal, the pitching doesn't stop. You got endorsements, collaborators, media, podcast hosts, READERS?! The query trenches don't really end, folks, they just look different

I'm sorry, but if you are not getting kind, helpful feedback on your work, that's not normal. A lot of writers can end up getting painful feedback from betas or whoever and think that's the norm. It's not. Find a new beta, etc. bc you can improve without being cut down/ destroyed

I keep seeing posts about "where have all the booktwt people gone?" and, like, they're here, dude. What do you mean? Maybe you're just following the wrong people, because they're always active in these parts!

It's nice, once in a while, to take a break from writing and editing, and just while away a few hours reading somebody else's book. Nice and necessary.

The first draft is just the first draft. It's the foundation of what's to come. It need not be perfect. It just needs to be done. Go write.

The key to overcoming bad writing, hesitant writing, apathetic writing is to write more. Flex your writing muscle, watch it surprise you.

If you feel that others are a lot more successful than you/everyone but you is agented, and so on, I promise you. It ain’t all glitz and rainbows. Social media is a skewed version of reality and the algorithm is a bully. Don’t let that define you. #WritingCommmunity ❤️❤️❤️

Can't stress this enough: a random story you write on a lark may end up being the one that gets you the most recognition while the one you really love may get few reads and/or your worst reviews. Don't overthink it. Publishing is a gamble. You'll win some; you'll lose some.

Is that what #1stLinePit is? Writers drop the first few lines of their book/WIP? Presumably those initial lines are supposed to set the world on fire, or have I got that wrong? What if the dynamite doesn't go off until the 2nd or 3rd paragraph?

Calling all novella-ists. If you have one, are writing one, or thinking about writing one, submissions are open for our 2nd Novella Prize judged by Ali Smith. weatherglassbooks.com/novella-prize-…