Expectations of Writers

I’m on Threads and the writing community that’s building up there is very much akin to the early days of the old Twitter. It’s supportive and positive, so if you’re a writer don’t hesitate to take the plunge if you haven’t already. (I’m @ajasont over there like I am on most social media.)

One of the questions that popped up this week was whether or not slow writing equaled bad writing. (It doesn’t.) The question itself is kind of ludicrous. Everyone writes at their own speed and their own level. Don’t hang onto the old stories of pulp writers banging out word after word, page after page during the Great Depression. Your motivations are likely pretty different than theirs and for sure the markets are VERY different. 

Focus on what you do and do it the best you can. You’re only competing with yourself. 

Unless you’re doing work for someone else and you have a deadline, take your work at your pace. If you agree to the deadline, do your best to make it because you want to be a professional. That’s the only caveat I have to offer you in that regard.

Remember there’s no one path to success and you get to define what success looks like for you. Don’t let anyone question whether you’re serious about being a writer according to their expectations. Everything is different from 10, 20, 40 years ago and if anyone is trying to shame you into being something THEY are not, then the best advice I can give is to ignore them. You do your thing the way you can do it.

This is my opportunity to remind you that if you’re in my area this weekend, I’ll be appearing at Free State Con, promoting The Envoy and trying to be charming. Stop by if you’re around. If not, I’ll remind you, too, that you can read The Envoy through Kindle Unlimited or if you’d like you can order a physical copy.