Member-only story
I Am Not Great. I Am Good. And That Is Good Enough.
I am a creative. I am a fiction writer and a poet. I am also an essayist.
I am good at what I do, and I am extremely proud of that.
However, I am not great.
Nor do I aspire for greatness.
I can’t say what other writers do or don’t (aim for). I do know that it takes a certain amount of confidence, and ego, to decide that you want to become a creative.
Why, you might ask.
Because being a creative isn’t easy. Writing isn’t easy. Writing a book isn’t easy. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
It’s a process that comes with a tremendous amount of effort and self-doubt.
It’s also a process that, unfortunately, puts you in contact with people who will also doubt you and your ability. They will do this in subtle, and not-so-subtle, ways.
They’ll surely tell you that their friend, mother, or uncle’s dogwalker also wrote a book. They will ensure you that this book was good, or bad, depending on how they want to make you feel. And, of course, they will tell you that their friend/mother/uncle’s dogwalker wrote and published their book in three weeks.
I’ve sometimes had the opportunity to read these books before, and I’ll just say, only a few…
