Ever since I enrolled in my Master’s program back in 2007-8, I’ve been inundated with advice from all levels and on all sides about writing.  How to write, where to write, how often to write.  After I graduated and as I’ve entered the writer’s world, that advice has only become stronger. The words I’ve chosen to share deeply held personal beliefs and observations have been called “disgusting”  and “too controversial.”  My lack of a daily writing schedule has been called “unproductive” and “not conducive to good writing.”  “Too distracting” is how some have described the places where I choose to write and the fact that I often submit to non-paying journals, and I’ve been accused multiple times of not writing what people want to read or in ways that give readers comfort.

Most of these comments have come from writing “professionals:” professors, authors, workshop leaders, and experts in the field of writing.  So, I should heed their advice, right?

I’m really not very good anymore at heeding any sort of advice, especially if it doesn’t feel right for me.  As a matter of fact, sometimes I will go out of my way to do the exact opposite of what someone tells me I “should” do.  Rebel in me, I guess.  I used to take any advice by writers more experienced or, at least, better situated in the writing world as gospel.  I know better now.

People write for all different reasons.  I’d love to write as a career, but truth is, that is just not in the cards for me. It took a long time for me to realize that but now that I have, I’m not nearly as hard on myself and I’m much happier. Discovering that my primary interests in putting words to the page are to inform, express my views, help others, or give voice to something often not discussed was a huge relief to me. It also ramped up my responsibility to my readers. And that’s just fine with me. It makes me a more authentic and ethical writer.

So, I write what I want (even if it’s controversial or taboo), when I want (usually every day but never a prescribed length of time), and where I want (my couch, the parking lot, at work while I’m on break).  And I’m absolutely delighted when something is published.  And if one essay or poem is rejected over and over, there will always be another.