It’s easy to settle into a writing groove. You go on autopilot, let the words take care of themselves. Don’t. If you want to be a better writer, you can’t, mustn’t be complacent.
You have to be vigilant. Take care with the craft. Acknowledge the criticism—some of it is to your benefit. Maintain mastery over the words. For a time, they’ll behave, pretend they follow orders. They eventually and always show their true colors: they mutiny and squash you.
You must pay attention. If someone says you use “just” too often, watch out for the word in your work. The same goes for passive voice, concision, clarity, et cetera. Good writers, no, excellent writers listen to feedback. They don’t let it roll off them like some duck in a rainstorm.
They are not ducks; neither are you. While you shouldn’t let criticism dictate how you define yourself—a challenge, I know—you can let it improve the writing. You should.
Every step forward, no matter how small or slow, demonstrates you are a better writer. It confirms your care for the skills and talents given you. It proves you are alive, and you aren’t done yet. You have words to write and words to share.
Write them. Don’t be complacent.
Image: USFWS Mountain-Prairie (Creative Commons)
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