Offal Writing

I think it's normal as writers, or as any artist, to become our own worst critic and not believe our product is worth much or anything at all. I write because I love it. I don't write to attract a mass of readers or fans. I don't write to please, advise or educate anyone. I write simply because I enjoy it.

When someone compliments the piece, whether it's a blog, short story or whatever, of course it feels nice. When someone says the story I told or message I tried to communicate was well received, relatable or resonated with them, that feels great too. 

But often times, I look at the things I write and wonder why anyone would read it. In the time I spend writing, I work to craft each sentence so it has the correct grammar and spelling. I do my best to sequence the story so it flows and makes sense. I know I have the ability to write well. But that isn't where the criticism of myself falls. It's all about the message. What do I have to say? Why is my message or story any more important than anyone else's? Is it even important and worth sharing at all?

It's not uncommon for people to feel like impostors - not a real writer - or whatever you are striving to be. I don't discount myself as a writer because I believe I am a writer. I don't feel that I'm an author. I don't think you need to publish to be an author, and technically an author can be a person who writes anything from an essay to poetry to novels. Or it can simply be one who creates anything. So in the technical sense, yes, I'm an author. I've created blogs. I've written poetry. I've completed the first draft of a novella. 

Even if I do those things, and am considered an author, who says what I'm writing is quality? My writing skills aren't in a distinguished category. I don't use a lot of big words or uncommon words. I use simple words that are easy to understand. I'm not writing anything especially sophisticated or profound. I write because I just love to write.

Literary works, paintings, portraits, music, and any other type of art you can think of, are subjective. One piece won't be for everyone, but every piece will be for someone. So maybe to the masses my work is offal. Maybe it's meaningless. I might not ever write a book that hits the best seller list and I might never be able to blog for a living. But to the one who reads this and can relate because you also believe the piece of yourself you're sharing with the world is crap, it doesn't matter. Writing is my passion and if just one person can take away something valuable from it, if one message I share can encourage someone and make them feel less alone, then it's worth doing. 

Do what makes you happy. Do what makes you smile. Let yourself shine!