My fellow writers, you're like me; I'm never satisfied. When it comes to writing, I made every mistake. I felt the shame rise in me. But that doesn't mean I'm about to give up. I'm always working on my craft. I'm passionately smashin' every expectation. Every action's an act of creation. So let me share with you a few things that "Hamilton: An American Musical" taught me about writing.*
I don't pretend to know the challenges you're facing... the worlds you keep erasing and creating in your mind. Your writing experience and mine might not be the same but that doesn't mean that the basic fundamentals of the craft are any different for us. We have unique goals, aspirations and directions that our writing will take us. Do not throw away your shot. Embrace your gift. Sharpen your skills. You can get a lot farther by working a lot harder, so don't sell yourself short. I know greatness lies in you.
When we start out, we're young, scrappy and hungry, but often times, we can't quite say what we mean. We've got a lot of brains but no polish. That's nothing to be ashamed of. We have to start somewhere. Put it on the page. Write and rewrite. With practice, we become better, and the task at hand becomes easier.
Let me tell you what I wish I'd know when I was young and dreamed of glory: writing may come easily, but writing well takes a lot of work. Have you ever cringed, reading an old essay or report? Look at where you are. Look at where you started. Growth is key, and the fact that you can see mistakes now that eluded you in the past is a great marker.
Getting your work out there often means encountering criticism. Why do you assume you're the smartest in the room? Try not to take outside opinions as personal attacks. If you are able to glean helpful information from critiques, you can use that to hone and sharpen your writing as well. If you're working with a professional (such as an editor), don't let their corrections provoke outrage, outright. They are there to help you, and having them on your side is invaluable!
As for me, I'm going to keep writing, growing and listening, even when it's hard. I'll do whatever it takes. I'll make a million mistakes. I'll catch some flack, but I'll use it and evolve. I am inimitable; I am an original. And so are you.
What are you waiting for? What do you stall for? Never stop writing. Do it like you need it to survive. I know you'll blow us all away. It's true! Just you wait.
Don't forget to write.
- J.Sim
*I would like to include a special "Thank you" to performer, songwriter and lyricist Lin-Manuel Miranda, the creator of "Hamilton: An American Musical," whose lyrics from the show are italicized above. I take no credit for them, of course. They have been a great inspiration in so many ways.
