Just a little post about writing that I came up with while doing the dishes (isn't that where all our best ideas come from?). I hope you enjoy it.
What you can control--How often you write, and the genre and style you choose to write in.
What you can't control--That any of it will turn out to be good.
What you can control--That you will, over time, grow as a writer. There's no way a person can't learn through time and process. You may not like the speed in which your skills grow as a writer, but they will grow, and you should be proud of your hard work.
What you can't control--Success. No matter how good you are and how much time you spend, there are no guarantees.
What you can control--That eventually you will have more than one reader for your work. Sometimes all it takes is asking a friend or family member to read your manuscript or short story. With their help you might get published, which could provide a larger audience over time.
What you can't control--Who those readers will be and what their opinion of your work is. And since you can't control it, don't react to it. The worst thing is an author chastising a reviewer. Once your work is out there, it is no longer yours alone. Respect your readers, no matter who they may be.
What you can control--The enjoyment you feel when writing.
What you can't control--That an agent, publisher or editor will share a similar enthusiasm.
What you can control--How much of yourself you devote to the craft. Be it small or large, a writer should have passion for their work no matter the pay, no matter the hours spent.
What you can't control--Ever seeing a dime in reward.
So the point I'm trying to make is that if you decide to write, then do it will full knowledge of the above. There are no cheerleaders in writing, in fact most of the time you are completely alone and must find a way to self-motivate. Writing has a long internship with low to no monetary reward, so do it because you want to. If you ever do make it big, you'll still have to be grounded enough to sit in a chair and write every day all alone. But there's so much to love about writing. The world needs more books, more stories, more beautiful phrases and characters who they can root for and fall in love with. It's wonderful to think that little old you is capable of providing that! And it is possible. It is. Hang in there, and remember to have fun no matter the cans and can'ts.
