Reasons to not give up writing
We all doubt ourselves at one point or another. We don’t think our work is good enough, we get frustrated, instead of constructive criticism sometimes we receive hate, we can’t get our thoughts into words, we’re too tired to write, we just don’t like the way your own writing sounds… whatever it may be: there are so many reasons to quit. Here is why you shouldn’t.
1) It’s an escape and everyone needs their own space. Everyone’s home life is different, but we all could use a vacation. Writing can take us places we want to be. Even if you’re doubting your work, write for yourself and for that pleasure of being elsewhere. You don’t have worry about the quality of your writing, just enjoy the escape. Editing and fixing can come later if you want to share/publish your work.
Stephanie Meyer wrote Twilight purely for herself at night after the kids were asleep, not expecting to write a novel at all, but rather to explore further into a dream she had— publishing never even crossed her mind at first!
2) Go back to the reason you started: it’s fun. Like any sport is to an athlete, writing is a hobby that we all started because we enjoyed it. It may take rocky schedules, failure, and days where you just want to skip practice (and probably do). But there will also be days where you feel like you’re the star player and everything is coming naturally to you. No matter the ups and downs, at the end of the day— we write because it’s fun. Don’t let writing become a chore.
3) If you do publish your work, it could become someone elses escape. How many books have you read that transported you away from stress and work? It’s a lovely thought that your story could do that to someone else (if you want to publish)— only if you keep writing!
4) It’s a place where you can purely be yourself. Where else better than to let all your fantasies, thoughts and expressions come to life than on a blank sheet of paper? A place where, while writing, no one will judge or tell you what to do— because you’re the captain of this story.
5) Writing is a creative outlet to express yourself. Some people sing, dance, play a sport, paint, cook, bake, you name it… and some of us write. Don’t bottle your creative urges up, let them loose onto the blank pages and create. If you gave up writing, where would all of that creativity go?
6) The writing community! Whether you post content (tips, WIPs, memes) or prefer to just read them, the community can offer you amazing friends that you wouldn’t have found if you gave up writing.
If you’re feeling like quitting, take a break or try to find your initial inspiration again through reading, watching shows/movies, or connecting with other writers. Never give up completely because at the end of the day, you started writing for a reason. Remember that reason.