The Big Bad Truth: Perfection doesn't exist.

Now obviously, that shouldn't be much of a revelation to any of you because, well, we've all heard it before, and if you haven't well, Congratulations, you learned something new today!!!

You can never be perfect in anything. It's just how it is. It doesn't matter what society expects from us, it won't and will never exist.

It's disquieting though, that not only society but the standards we set for ourselves, the standard of perfection is not only used every day but it also found in the writing world, especially for aspiring writers.

Unfortunately, that little standard bar is set high, in fact too high for us to reach.

A little confession.

I've been writing all my life, and every day I've been exposing myself to new writing tips and techniques that work for me and my common genre.

I have some experience, yes, but I'm definitely as professional as J.K Rowling or Marissa Meyer or Uncle Rick and so on.

But like the rest of us, we're getting there and who knows, in the end, one of us might become the next J.K Rowling! ;)

I'm not perfect. Both as a person and as a writer (obviously.) I make my little newbie writer mistakes quite often, but in the end, I learn from them. Besides, that's the point of making mistakes! How else do we become better writers if we don't make them!?

Don't expect to be a Professional!

No one's going to start off as the most freakin' amazing, most talented and splendid writer when they start! I didn't. I'm sure Marie Lu didn't or Shannon Hale.

We will all start off sucking! Or being on an average scale that's close to bad.

I mean, every time I read my work from Elementary School I cringe!!! I want to burn them! I want to shred them! I want to feed them to sharks!

Even my HAND-WRITING was a disgrace to the writing world! You can only imagine how much I want to punch myself in the face whenever I go through them, especially when I'm editing my own manuscript!

As growing writers, we can have authors that are our role-models, and hope-to-be-future-selves, and they can definitely be our inspiration to writing styles, or motivation, etc.

But it's best to stay aware of the fact that we shouldn't expect to be as good as them on our first try and trust me I learned that the hard way.

Read, Practice, Read, Practice

I basically just gave solutions on how to improve your writing in the title.

READ, PRACTICE, READ PRACTICE!

This is probably something you've all heard before but of course, it does NOT make it any less true!

When I first started writing a book in the 6th grade, guilty as charged-I wasn't that much of a reader. I didn't hate doing it but at the same time I didn't have much interest in the hobby, and after putting some thought into this; not reading was one of my biggest downfalls. It almost explains, ever so perfectly, why I wasn't able to write as well as I can now!

Now a fast-forward to the future, in the near end of 7th grade, by that time I had become an AVID reader! How I grew a love for reading then, even now I have no idea, but dear God I'm so proud that my mindset towards reading had changed.

Even till this day, I vividly remember, sitting in front of a laptop to rewrite a prologue and after I wrote it and read my work all I could do was stare like an idiot at the screen wondering. . .

"HOLY HAMILTON! HOW DID I GET SO GOOD!?"

Answer-READING! That's how I got so good!!! People don't lie when they say reading is one of the main reasons to excellent writing skills because it divulges so much diction, vocabulary, figurative language, and the top ingredient IMAGINATION!!!

So if you ever need something to recharge your writer's brain, that is either going through writer's block or is just plain dead and empty of ideas at the moment, here's a suggestion!

Pick up a freakin' book and read!!! It works!

Experience taught me that!

Practice!

The same goes for that too! If for some reason, all the books have MIRACULOUSLY been stolen from planet earth... .riot. Just kidding! just kidding!

(Ha. No, I'm not)

If you have to, go online and search for writing prompts or tips to get your writing wheels moving!!! (Like my prompts and tips! ;)

LISTEN TO SOME HAMILTON, look at some artwork, imagery is magnificent when it comes to sparking inspiration!

Scan your favorite book and pick up some ideas from there!

When all your ideas have been gathered, take a notebook and pencil and write! Whether it's poetry, a short story, or a novella! The more you write, the better! It strengthens you as a writer and is what pushes you away from that inexperienced, newbie corner!

I mean it's like trying to hit a high note in "The Schuyler Sister!"

If you want to get it, watch some singing videos on high notes and keep practicing while you're at it! Maybe even ask a choir friend or teacher to help you get better at reaching that blasted note!

(The joy you feel when you get it, is paramount, trust me :D)

Being a young/growing writer doesn't mean we can't become good!

Yes, we get it, as young writers, we can suck. Not all of us are splendid at the hobby/subject but it doesn't mean that we can change that.

Whether you're experiencing ridicule from a friend (or fake friend), a family member, an adult, etc, just because of your passion for writing or if you want to pursue a career as a writer/novelist, maybe even accomplish something that no young person has ever done that involves writing; the best method is to prove them wrong.

It doesn't help anyone, or yourself to be defensive or mouthy by insulting them

In order to show that you're capable of what you can do. (Again, experience taught me that)

Instead of working hard and even using haters as motivation to improve your skills is usually the best weapon to take down an opponent, even if the real weapon you really want to use is your fist.

Unfortunate Misunderstandings

Now if you didn't know this already, it's common that people use age to determine intellect/Intelligence, knowledge and experience, including in the writing field.

It sucks. But it happens.

To make things more happy and light-hearted, when it comes to writing for some reason, it's harder for people to take us teens seriously, and for them to also realize that this is our passion, and it's something we firmly believe that we want to do.

The reason to this happening varies. It could be because of the unfortunate belief that writers are poor and unsuccessful and that's the road that we're going to be headed down if we choose to become writers, or writing is something that takes a lot of experience and knowledge so us young people are ignorant about it because of that. Maybe it could even be because we're just plain delusional and don't know what the heck we want. Who knows!

It's easier said than done, but it should be considered that people's opinions don't justify your beliefs or your passions.

"You have to realize this isn't a reflection you. They're not bringing you down because they think you're stupid or immature. They're bringing you down because they want you on their level."

~Jenna Moreci

(Couldn't have said it any better)

And she's right. People hate seeing you succeed which is all the more reason why, working harder, and putting some serious effort to achieve your dreams is the best punch you could ever give!

Light-Hearted Truth

Us, young writers, are capable of excelling as writers just like those that are older. We may not be as knowledgeable as them, but it doesn't mean we can't accomplish our goals, and rise out of the abyss of being newbies.

Now I don't mean to give any false hope to anyone, if that's what it looks like I'm doing.

What I'm trying to get across is, that bar of perfection we keep building . . . we'll never reach it. It's not possible.

No matter how hard you try, There is no such thing as a perfect writer, writing a perfect book.

It'd be awesome if there was, but reality ain't that nice. (*rolls eyes*)

But what does exist, is practice and working your butt off!

I mean as aspiring writers, yes it's true, we do and will suck. But there is a fact that still stands and will always stand.

We won't suck forever.

#writingmotivation #writingtips #writingadvice