Ritu Kaushal
Every writer is not the same. Obviously!
If you are someone who dreams of being a writer, then think about exactly who you resonate with in terms of writing, writing process and creative philosophy. Then, do what they do and forget all other advice (there's a lot of conflicting advice out there).
For example, Elizabeth Gilbert says that "Your Book is Not Your Baby" which means that Writing the Book Creates You as an artist. It changes you. You are the clay that's shaped. Gilbert has a Youtube interview in which she drops a book on the floor, and tells the interviewer something like: "See, nothing happened." The book is NOT a baby. It won't hurt if you write it wrong. So, don't get frightened by the process of writing a book. It's not THAT serious.
Reminding myself of this has helped me in my own creative journey. Sometimes, it HAS felt like my baby. I have given it so much of my energy. But remembering what Elizabeth Gilbert says has helped me hold the creative process just a little more lightly. That has been very helpful in this journey with my first book. The Empath's Journey has made me stronger as a person. It's been like a flow of energy that has come through me and changed me.
If you want to be a writer, if you dream about it and keep on asking yourself, again and again, "Am I an artist? Am I really a creative?," I want to say to you that if you have asked this question a thousand times (like I did earlier in my life), then the answer is: Yes, You Are.
Just the fact that you've asked this question so many times might be a clue. And for those who are definitely sure, for them, start thinking about what kind of a writer you are and who your role models are. And then, work very hard!
P.S. If I remember correctly, Elizabeth Gilbert's interview was with Marie Forleo.
If you are someone who dreams of being a writer, then think about exactly who you resonate with in terms of writing, writing process and creative philosophy. Then, do what they do and forget all other advice (there's a lot of conflicting advice out there).
For example, Elizabeth Gilbert says that "Your Book is Not Your Baby" which means that Writing the Book Creates You as an artist. It changes you. You are the clay that's shaped. Gilbert has a Youtube interview in which she drops a book on the floor, and tells the interviewer something like: "See, nothing happened." The book is NOT a baby. It won't hurt if you write it wrong. So, don't get frightened by the process of writing a book. It's not THAT serious.
Reminding myself of this has helped me in my own creative journey. Sometimes, it HAS felt like my baby. I have given it so much of my energy. But remembering what Elizabeth Gilbert says has helped me hold the creative process just a little more lightly. That has been very helpful in this journey with my first book. The Empath's Journey has made me stronger as a person. It's been like a flow of energy that has come through me and changed me.
If you want to be a writer, if you dream about it and keep on asking yourself, again and again, "Am I an artist? Am I really a creative?," I want to say to you that if you have asked this question a thousand times (like I did earlier in my life), then the answer is: Yes, You Are.
Just the fact that you've asked this question so many times might be a clue. And for those who are definitely sure, for them, start thinking about what kind of a writer you are and who your role models are. And then, work very hard!
P.S. If I remember correctly, Elizabeth Gilbert's interview was with Marie Forleo.
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