Don’t be scared. If there’s a story in your heart, write it. And write it bravely. Through my journey of writing, I would often come up with some wild ideas and always thought, “Oh, I could never write that.” For my current WIPs, plot points popped in my head on a constant basis and you know what I would do? I’d laugh, think that would be fun to put in the book, but be too scared to actually write it. I always kept it safe. I was scared. “Is that idea too out there?” “That’s too complicated to sort through.” “Am I really capable of pulling that off?” These thoughts and fears swirled in my head, pushing me back, keeping me from growing in my journey of writing. But one day, only about a year or two ago, I asked another question. Why not? Why not throw something wild and crazy and fun in my stories? Why not write that book? Why not divert from the cliché, safe path and make it my own? Make it something interesting and different? See, I was holding myself back because I was scared. I never wanted to veer from that safe path. But one day I did. One day I decided I’m going to write my books how *I* want them written. And that’s when I finally started making strides in my writing. Because you can’t write for other people, you can’t be scared, you can’t hold yourself back with doubts and fears, worried that maybe that plot point is a bit too different or that scene only appeals to you. Just write. Write what you love. Write what moves you deeply. Write what you know. Write what you don’t know. What you wonder about. Think about. Feel. Love. You can’t please everyone. You have to write for yourself. But you know what? That’s when your story really shines. If you pour your heart and soul into your story, it will be the best it can be. If YOU love it OTHERS will love it. So write a story you love. Don’t stay on the safe path. Veer off. Make it yours. You’re an imaginative, creative, unique person. So write those imaginative, creative, unique stories inside you. Never, ever let fear stop you. You can’t move forward if you’re always letting doubt hold you back. So write. And write bravely.
So, I'm rather new to your blog, but have really enjoyed reading your posts thus far. This one was especially good — I totally agree with you! I wish more people would understand that they can write, create, imagine, dream anything they want, and that they don't have to worry about fitting the mold or about what other people will think of it. Again — lovely post! I enjoyed reading it. 🙂
~Beth, An Elven Princess
Hey there! I'm honored to have you. I'm so glad you're enjoying my little corner of the internet. ^_^
Thank you! Exactly, you put that beautifully. That's precisely what I was trying to convey. We're all unique, and we should spread that uniqueness through our writing.
Nice post! I don't usually get scared by plots being too out there, but there's been times I wanted to write my protagonist as a drug addict,
Or maybe a teen mom. Things that I would do, but I like in a fictional character. But I shied away because I figured my parents would freak at those types of things.
Thank you!
I know exactly where you're coming from. That's what I've been struggling with as well, which is why I wrote this post. I've always been too scared to write the gritty stuff, but life can be gritty, and our stories should be real. I'm learning it's the stories that aren't afraid to show life as it is that make the biggest impact. Stories just full of fluff aren't going to make much of a difference. But a tale about REAL, messed up, struggling people learning the love and forgiveness of God, that's what can make a difference.
It all just depends though. Some stories can go too far, some are a bit too full of fluff. It's hard to know where the balance is. I'm still trying to find that balance myself. I've found the best thing to do is pray about it and ask God to direct my stories on the path He wants them to go.
I agree! Stories of people with real flaws and struggles make a much bigger impact on me than perfect characters. I think a struggling character can really show God's grace in a much more powerful way. But yes, there does have to be a balance. Too much of certain struggles being taken too far on the page can be a big turn off.
Hey… I'm also a writer… and these are some great thoughts! For myself, I always get caught up in what the "professionals" say, like: the plot must be this way, and never do these things, and don't be too predictable, preachy, etc. Then I end up getting so nervous that I'm ready to throw my whole story in the trash.
So this is a lovely reminder! 🙂 Just WRITE! We're all different… our stories don't all have to look exactly the same! Thanks for your words of wisdom, Christine! 🙂
I'm so glad you think so. Thank you!
Oh goodness yes! I do the exact same thing. I'm a bit obsessed studying the craft, but sometimes it can be so discouraging reading about all the "rules" of writing. It's good to learn the craft, but in the end your book is just that, YOUR book. Everyone has a different voice. If we all wrote the same way then libraries would be a pretty boring place. 😉 I think we should embrace our own writing style. It's the original novels that end up making it in the world. So embrace your originality and you'll do great!
This is exactly why I've tried to cut back on reading writing how-to's — it started crushing my creativity because I figured it wasn't the "right" way, and I started getting really depressed about it. Now I try not to worry about it and just write what I want. After all, there's no one RIGHT way to write; everyone has to find their own way, and just because it worked one way for one famous writer doesn't mean it's the right way for me or you. 🙂
Very true, Deborah. And yes, the libraries would get boring, Christine! 🙂
I'm glad to know that I'm not alone in my struggles, and that you guys have decided to just write and embrace your unique creativity. Very encouraging! 🙂
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.
You're such an eloquent lovely human being …er, elf.
I loved this.
It needed to be said.
And you said it perfectly.
Thank you. <3
*huggles this post tight*
*BEEEAMS* I'm so glad you thought so! Thank YOU!
This post had impeccable timing! I'm currently writing a retelling of Snow White. I was starting to write last night but I had a small case of writers block, and then I came up with an unusual plot twist. Why not make Snow White blind? I was a little scared to use this idea because it would completely change the story, but I realize that I feel this way because it's an original idea, for heavens sake. So, Snow White is going to be blind. I realize that I need to step out of my comfort zone and actually make stories my own. Thanks for this post(-:
I think that's a really great idea! I've never seen it done in a fairy tale retelling, so it definitely is original. 🙂
Oh, I can't tell you how thrilled I am to hear that. ^_^
Whoa! That's a fantastic idea! Yes, you should absolutely embrace that idea. It's brilliant! I'm a huge lover of fairytale retellings, and I especially love it when someone takes the story and really makes it their own. A blind Snow White is such a brilliant idea. Write that story, girl. It's going to be awesome!
Beautifully said, Christine. Thank you! <3
Awww, thank you so much! I'm so glad you enjoyed it. ^_^
I really needed this, thanks for writing it was beautiful and inspiring to read. I have a book idea that is way out of my comfort zone, but I'm going to write it anyway.
Thank you! So glad it was inspiring to you.
Yes! Write it! I used to only ever write in one genre, but one day I decided to try stepping out of my comfort zone and it turned out being the most fun book I ever wrote. And now I keep stepping more and more out of my comfort zone and having a blast. It's so worth getting off that safe path, and will really help your writing.
Good luck on your book!
This post is so inspiring and encouraging! Thank you for sharing it, it's exactly what writers need to hear!
Awww, I'm so glad you think so! Being a writer is definitely an extremely discouraging line of work. We writers really need as much encouragement as we can get.