“Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on.” ―Louis L’Amour
“Writing is a calling, not a choice.”
— Isabel Allende
If you want to write, go ahead and write. Don’t listen to those naysayers who tell you, “You’ll never make any money writing, get a real job” (aka something that pays well that you don’t want to do).
Writing in itself is a valid pursuit especially if you enjoy doing it and you have something burning inside you to write about.
It always fascinates me how many women writers in the past supported their families with their writing skills. Writing was a legitimate career and gateway to one of the few creative careers open to women in the 19th century.
Writers like Louisa May Alcott author of the beloved Little Women and Frances Hodgson Burnett author of The Secret Garden supported their families with their writing and their vivid imaginations.
Although she didn’t profit from her writing in her lifetime, Emily Dickinson’s poetry still resonates with readers 138 years later with her bold insights about life, love and death. What a tragic loss it would have been, if she had decided not to write.
Beatrix Potter used both her natural science, illustration, and writing skills to create delightful children’s books featuring animals (The Tale of Peter Rabbit and The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck).
And let us not forget Jane Austen and her amazing novels about the landed gentry in the late 19th century that are still entertaining and educating people in the 21st century.
These women wrote because they had an inner calling as storytellers to send their unique thoughts out into the world. How much poorer would the world be without them.
Don’t waste your time worrying about what other people think. Use your talent to create something that will inspire others and make the world a better place.
You don’t have to win the Pulitzer Prize or hit the top of the best seller list to make a difference with your writing. Just keep on writing and building your skills and don’t ever give up.
Takeaway: Writing is a noble calling and still needed in our crazy world of social media and AI generated content. You still can make a difference with your writing if you’re willing to believe in yourself and ignore those doubters.
Linda Locke is a writer, mentor/teacher and Publisher/Lead Editor of the Midform Publication and author of Medium Momentum, Launch Your Blogging Journey in Just 7 Days.
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Simple yet effective! Thank you much for sharing! sometimes it's the little remarks that have the most lasting effects!
Love this post. Right on the mark with great examples