There is incredible power in the written word. Whether it is finding the strength in vulnerability or the importance of expression, your thoughts and feelings can be transformed by simply taking a pen to paper. There are countless ways that your writing can affect not only yourself, but others as well. But first, you must realize that you cannot be afraid to write. You cannot be skeptical of the voice you have to share. Whether you are the next Shakespeare or an occasional author, if you have something to say, write it. And if you draw a blank, being unsure of what you want to say to the world may be the best place to start.

If you find yourself hesitant to share your work, or even to write at all, consider what is holding you back. It may be the pressure to put out a perfect story. You may fear the feedback that comes with sharing your thoughts and feelings. No matter what the reasoning behind it is, you are not alone. The next time you find yourself staring at a blank sheet of paper, think of the following quotation. A favorite quote of mine, by Steven Pressfield, is just what you may need to hear if you feel yourself doubting the importance of your art. It reads as follows, “If you find yourself asking yourself (and your friends) ‘Am I really a writer? Am I really an artist?’ Chances are, you are. The counterfeit innovator is wildly self-confident. The real one is scared to death.” Think about that for a moment. Read it again. Realize that you are not alone in your self-criticism. However, do not allow those thoughts to stop you from writing. You are a writer. You are an artist. If you believe that of yourself, there is no limit to the art you can create. Pick up the pen and give yourself a chance to make something incredible.

Any seasoned author will give you similar advice on your quest to literary creation. “Write everyday”. It does not matter what you write about, where you write it or how skilled the writing may be. All that matters is that you give yourself the opportunity to practice, grow, and eventually believe in the importance of your own words. Write a short story. Write a series of poems. Sit outside and describe your favorite nature scene. Write in lists, paragraphs, pages, or doodles. The more you write, the more you will see the talent that lives inside of you. Use this talent to impact others. Share what you write. Create pieces of literature that have the power to resonate with the viewer. You can inspire someone to take a stand, inform someone of an important story or connect with a person who relates to your message by sharing what you create with others. You have no idea the impact that you can make on a reader. Take this author-reader relationship seriously. It is an incredible responsibility, as well as a gift, to affect someone with your written words as we can only strive to do so. Use it to make a positive and important difference in the thoughts of your readers. If you have a passion to create, you just have to be courageous enough to start. And according to Pressfield, “chances are, you are.”