8 Truths That Every Writer/Poet/Artist Must Know

1. There will be days when you feel like you have churned out the best piece of writing. And there will be days when you feel as if you’re an utter disappointment. Don’t let either one get to your head. You are trying, and that is all that should matter.
2. The number of Likes or Comments on your posts is not a good scale to measure your talent or art with. There are people who show appreciation to a post simply because it has been posted by someone with a high number of ‘Followers’. Your art is not shallow to be determined by it. Keep doing your thing.
3. Further to previous point, it’d be unrealistic to deny that the engagement of your posts does have an impact on your motivation. Express this to your audience, prompt them to engage with your work. Sometimes even the smallest of acknowledgement can go a long way. But till that happens, I repeat- Keep doing your thing.
4. Being a writer/poet is a blessing. You know how to articulate and express yourself so well, that the people around you would just know what you want them to know. But at the same time, it is a curse because not everyone understands depth and emotions the way you do. It is a bittersweet reality of the lives of all writers/poets that they have to live with.
5. It is not necessary to put everything out there for the world. Don’t let the public space fool you into oversharing. Some notes at the back of a diary and some memos saved in the phone are best kept away from the noise of the world, and I think mine are happy there without being judged.
6. There is no ‘right’ way to write. You do you. With every person you approach for advice, you’ll get a different response, a contrasting feedback. Why increase the confusion? The only suggestion I’d offer is to read and read some more. That’s how you’ll feel inspired to write better.
7. You must be prepared to face all kinds of criticism, but accept only the constructive one. Half the critics may not even understand what you’ve written yet they would simply point things out because it makes them feel superior. Don’t soak that in, just let them be. You don’t have to go down to that shit.
8. These days, people are quick to condemn the ugly and slow to appreciate the good. So if someone values your art, make sure you keep their appreciation in high regard. Return the kindness and build connections beyond the sake. This will create an audience (long-term), not a mere follower count.

– Shereen A. Mir (via Instagram)