8.04.2016

It's Okay to Make Mistakes

So...my book is currently being torn apart by beta readers.

Yeah...................

It embarrasses me that I thought my book was good enough.  That it was finished.

You know what?  That's okay.  I'm still learning my craft.  The Clockshifter isn't finished.  It's not about being good enough, it's about growing.  I don't have to be as good of a writer as Nadine Brandes or Tosca Lee.  I don't have to have the same excellence in writing as other people who started writing at the same time as me.  I don't have to be published anytime soon.

I just have to be willing to grow.

We should stop comparing ourselves to other writers.  That's not a healthy way to grow because people will always be ahead of you.

I know that's easy to say and to read.  But it's hard to truly take it to heart.  I once thought I knew this...but it's so easy to know things without knowing them, you know?

Sorry for my rambling.  Keep learning about your craft.  Keep writing.  Never give up.  Keep chasing God.

- Alea, just another writer trying to hone her craft.

16 comments:

  1. This is very encouraging to me, thank you :) I feel like my fear is what makes me just... not write, for long periods of time. I miss being young and just enjoying writing, even if my stuff wasn't that good. Like you said, it's about the growth! The journey, too, is so important!

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    1. I'm so glad I could be an encouragement to you!

      I really think fear brings on writer's block.

      Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  2. I just have to be willing to grow. <--- I think that mindset is one of the most important things as a writer. There's always room to improve -- even with the best of authors. And if you're able to take critique, and see the good in it, and put it to work, you and your story will grow exponentially.

    I'm so proud of you! Because just sending it to beta readers means you have stuck through plotting your book. Writing the horrid first draft. Rewriting. Editing. Line editing. Getting through writer's block. The comparison of others. Getting through allll of the hard writer things. And that's amazing. You can truly call yourself a writer. <3

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    1. I agree 100%. There is always room for improvement. And taking critiques is extremely important.

      Awww. :) Thank you! You are so sweet, Katie!

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  3. Currently I'm slowly killing my own story, in order to prepare it for my alpha/beta readers, so your post was so encouraging! It's nice to know I'm not the only author out there that feels sometimes like my story just. won't. ever. get. good. enough. Thanks so much for sharing!

    Rebekah Eddy

    4rmeddy.blogspot.com

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    1. I'm glad I could encourage you today! I know for a fact it isn't just you. It's everyone.

      Keep persevering through that story!

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  4. Wow yes. I've just got to be willing to grow. Totally. I really loved and needed this. <3

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    1. I had no idea how much of an encouragement a last minute post could be! Keep writing! Keep persevering! Keep growing!

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  5. You is like one of the most incredible writers ever! You sent your book out to two sets of betas, you is brave! And this post is amazing, to grow you have to be willing.

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    1. Awww you are so sweet! But I definitely wouldn't say I'm on of the most incredible writers. I'm just growing... :)

      Keep writing!

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  6. Ahhh beta-readers is a really scary experience but also really rewarding? I mean, yeah, novels usually still are pretty sucky when they first go out to beta-readers but people are so encouraging and helpful. It really helps you as a writer and helps your novel. Good job though!

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    1. Yes it is terrifying. I also find it oh so helpful. I've learned so many things I never would have thought of without them.

      Keep writing, Anna!

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  7. Ah yes, that is good to remember, I sometimes get frustrated with how slowly I write but hey that is okay, everyone does things differently, and we should not compare ourselves.

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    1. I get frustrated with that too. It seems like I write so much slower than everyone else.

      Keep writing, my friend!

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  8. This is a great reminder, Alea. And a very important one at that. =) I sometimes compare myself with best selling authors...they sold thousands of books and me? =P But it doesn't matter! All that matters is that I strive to bring GOD glory instead of myself. =) Thanks for sharing!

    //Hosanna

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    1. Ah, yes, that can be a very easy thing to do. You are SO right! It doesn't matter in eternity. :)

      Keep persevering!

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