Writing advice to my younger self by Leanne Dyck

Published by G.P. Putnam's Sons in 1992

The Artist's Way:  A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity by Julia Cameron is a twelve-week program that will inspire and inform your creative journey. It inspired me to write...

Dear younger Leanne,

You know those stories that you’re working on. Well, you might think that you can just throw them out—unfinished. You may think that because they belong to you, you can do whatever you want with them. Well, you’re wrong. You can’t. You can’t because they belong to me—older Leanne—not you. So, instead of tossing them away, you better file them away for safekeeping. You better or else…

Oh, yeah, and another thing, you might think that by writing all those stories you’re just having fun. WRONG! You’re doing important work. However, you’re only doing half the job. You also need to get someone who can spell and knows grammar to edit them. Ask Mom, she’ll help you. Then you need to send them to literary journals or short stories contests. 

Oh, yeah, and don’t just do it once and think you’re done. 

Don’t just say, “Oh, well, I submitted it. I didn’t win. I don’t have to do that again.” 

Don’t think, I tried, failed and now I’m done. The only way you failed is by being done. 

Simply by continuing to submit your stories you’re proving that you are a winner.

 If you don’t continue working until the job is done, well then you’ll leave all that work for me. And trust me, I won’t be pleased.

Oh, yeah, and the most important thing, you may not think you’re smart, but I do. I know how talented you are. And you’re doing a grave disservice by not sharing your talent. So do it. Do it now!

Love,

Leanne

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