Do you ever feel awkward writing anything? Like cringey, if that makes sense? Because I sometimes feel awkward writing a scene and knowing that someday, people I know might read it, and will laugh at my writing style or imagination or the plot of the story

YES. I absolutely feel awkward writing sometimes. So just the other day, I went through my old manuscript bin (because I find it hard to throw out old stories, and as a result, I have mountains of manuscripts). And I found my very first draft of TQR.

Of course I had to flip through it. And wow…I cringed. A LOT.

But instead of being embarrassed about it (and yes, some people read this draft, to my horror), I decided to sit the final copy of TQR next to it and said, look how far I’ve come. Look how much I’ve improved. And I’ve only gotten here because I’ve written the awkward, cringey stuff. 

So you have to write through those feelings. And if there is a scene where you’re like, “this is awkward,” mark it and come back to it. Editing gives you a chance to tinker with words and cut and rewrite.

But the main thing I can say to you is this: Don’t let those potential awkward scenes keep you from writing. Write what you love