Start Where You Are

Art For Art's Sake: Part 2

Rubina G Gomes

Dec 14, 2021

When I started my writing journey, I fell into the trap of putting restrictions on myself.

Until I have 30 minutes a day entirely dedicated to writing, there is no use trying.

Until I have an outline that mentions every scene from the first to the last, there is no use trying.

Until I have learnt all the writing hacks other writers share on the internet, there is no use trying.

Even when I did start writing, I would gauge my work against the books I had read. Written by writers who are pro at what they do and have been doing it for years.

I made the classic mistake of comparing my journey, my learning curve against others.

It is good to have ideals for inspiration purposes.

But when you think of yourself as less than just because your plot twist wasn't as twisty as Lee Child's, that is where we go wrong.

No two journeys are the same. And every journey begins with a beginner not knowing the skills.

Every time I publish a work, I immediately know where I could improve. Feedback from you, the readers, also helps me understand what's working and not.

Now, I am kind and gentle with myself.

I don't command myself into writing. I just choose the topic I would love to talk about and let the words flow.

I am strict with the schedule but not with the content.

And I remind myself that there's no end to the art of writing. It's constantly evolving and morphing, shapeshifting and growing.

Start where you are, with what you have and know.

Over time, you'll learn, and your skills will improve.

Don't let society's standards dictate how you feel about your work.

Don’t think about the 100th step you have to take when you haven’t taken the first one.