Everyone has something. You know, that one big thing that they love to do; some might say that it requires talent, but I don't think I'd say that exactly. The truth is, if you have the passion for it, you're meant to do it. Sure, it might not always turn out the best - but if it makes you feel good, then go for it. Whether it is playing an instrument, a sport, or if you're like me and enjoy writing. What does it take to be an awesome writer? Like I said before: just a whole lot of passion.
As with anything else, writing gets better with practice. If you enjoy writing, you'll likely do it more often, right? Of course. However, feeling inadequate might make you want to stop or not work to improve yourself. I understand.
Every hobby and career needs dedication. As a writer, you might find yourself often worrying that you aren't creative enough to come up with something new and amazing - at least, I know I do.
If you're anything like me, you might adore the idea of having your own vintage typewriter, and dream of the day you can write whatever you're truly passionate about - and earn a living off of it.
You might also find it common to be overly critical of your own work, and often times quite ashamed that it doesn't meet your standards. It obviously can't meet other people's standards if you can't even please yourself, right? Not always. Sometimes, the pieces we are most fond of end up being the least appreciated by others - and that's okay.
The truth is, being a good writer is all about criticism and seeking to improve your work. Whether or not it is good isn't the point. Writing is as gratifying as it is frustrating, just like any sport or hobby.
If you're meant to be a writer, you will know. You will find yourself thinking up colorful phrases and little stories to help describe your feelings. Sometimes you might get upset with yourself because none of them feel right enough. None of them match the depth of your heartache or have the same gut wrenching affect that your feelings do, so you keep wracking your brain for better words and phrases.
Sometimes you will be at such a loss for words that you will feel as though you are lacking the competence to finish a piece you were particularly excited about.
You might even enjoy writing essays for class, though you might still rely on help from others for organization because you've gotten so caught up in your own creative juices.
If you are meant to be a writer, you will scrutinize your work even more than you do others' - which is probably hard to believe. You will worry that your point did not get across as eloquently and straight forward as someone else's, even after you've dissected every portion of the essay.
You will gratefully, yet begrudgingly, accept your professors' corrections, and remember that every corrected word or punctuation mark has made you better.
You will most likely be the most anxious about sharing your work with others because you know it needs at least a month more of editing in order to be seen by an outsider, but no one else seems to understand that.
You will take criticism harshly at times, but will beg for it at others. Not to mention, people who do not offer great help with editing will become just as frustrating as the writing process itself.
But in the end, writing is your happy place. It is the beginning of new worlds and the holder of your deepest emotions - even ones you don't understand. Writing offers a sense of relief on your worst days, and is a fun and liberating task on your best ones. It is not perfect, but it is a reflection of you. A personal piece is as intimate as the naked body; it is stripping the emotions from your soul, piece by piece, and offering them to the world.
Writing takes heart and dedication, but it does not take purely talent.
