Why You Should Write Like No One’s Watching

I talk to a lot of people about their experiences both in writing and in publishing, and one thing that never ceases to surprise me is how many people have or had great ideas for a story. If it’s not their own story, it’s that of their sister, or father, or best friend. It’s a beautiful thing, that people are so drawn to creativity, whether that’s a painting or a story or even a new coding script.

It's frustrating to see how many people don’t feel that they have the skill or the time to pursue their passions. And especially in writing, they aren’t encouraged to. The industry is complex, and tangled, and not supportive. Literary agents get over 18,000 submissions per year, but only accept 2-3 to publish. With odds like that, publishing is like a terrible game of luck. Why bother?

Yet people keep creating, even when the system is so unfairly stacked against them. There’s something in us that wants to share and make and be heard.

It’s the most human thing in the world to keep making when there’s no purpose to it. Even if no one reads it but you, your voice and your work deserves to exist in the world. So keep creating. I’m rooting for you.