Recently, I’ve read mostly (and spoken to some) about the experiences of other writers and their perspectives on some things. I feel that writers are generally eager to help out other writers, and we really own the medium we have to help (although some are definitely better than others at it … I’m getting better at this, I swear). I think it also stems from the fact that we are typically introverted (or at least a lot less social than others) and that it’s very attractive to be able to interact with like-minded people through our favourite thing: words.

One thing that strikes me whenever I read advice from other writers is how it seems so obvious and yet explosive at the same time. It’s as if we already know these things, but they’re hidden behind the black shadow that video games use to lock skins, and then when you read them it suddenly unlocks and is like BAM. At least, that’s what it’s like for me. It’s almost like we’re all a thousand pieces of each other that just seem to recognise something when it falls into place. But that’s probably just more about validation and understanding of ourselves and what we struggle with or do as writers that we didn’t understand before someone could organise it in words for us. It’s also greatly comforting to be reminded that we are not alone.

Not all advice is made with a genuine interest in helping you, or with proper content, but I don’t find it too hard to discern those from what clicks with me. It just doesn’t have the same “vibe”. If it doesn’t help you, it doesn’t help you. The type of advice that’s a bit hard to separate from what you need is when you’re too focused on what you want. Sometimes there are things you don’t want to hear (read) but sometimes they’re necessary. They can ground you. Things that might douse the motivation you’ve received from someone else’s encouraging post. They’re important, BUT, don’t let them drop that word on you, you know, that one that starts with ‘IM’ and ends with ‘POSSIBLE’. Just keep that last part and carry that other motivation and drive and find a way to do what you love the way you want it. Even if it’s hard. Life is hard sometimes, and our passions are not unaffected, but keep moving forward. What is life worth if we spend its entirety doing things we don’t love?