Accepting Your Writing Style

There is no one else who writes like you!

I think one of the hardest things for a new writer to do, is to just be themselves. To inspire them, I have reprinted here an article I wrote a few years back. May it inspire you to be yourself and do your own thing.

Created on 04/18/2007.
Last updated: 08/12/2008

Amazon Spotlight

It's All About Me: Personality Quizzes for You and Your Friends (Klutz)

Amazon Price: $11.53 (as of 10/13/2008)
List Price: $16.95
Used Price: $0.86

Fads fade and trends end but one feature of teen magazines is a perennial: the quiz. What's the appeal? Surrounded by fluff, the personality quiz can be an oasis of insight centering on the world's most fascinating topic - you. It's All About Me is a collection of 30 confidencebuilding quizzes that answer onlyfrom- Klutz questions like "What Kind of Cookie Are You?" "Are You a People Pleaser or a Lone Wolf" and the universally understood "Eight Ways to Tell if Your Parents are Extraterrestrials." Use the included 70-page note pad and stylish pen to jot down your answers and compare results with friends. Considering the range of personalities out there, it's only fitting that our quizzes come in a range of formats (true or false, finish-the-doodle, flow charts and so forth). The full-colour illustrations were created by a dozen different artists in styles ranging from goofy to girly. And, to complete the personalization, the book comes in a choice of three translucent, flexible covers: serene green, hot pink and all-about-you blue. Comes With: A colour-coordinated ballpoint pen.

Release Date: 12/31/1969

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You are The One and Only You!

Once again, a post for fellow writers, kind of, something to think about, next time you set out to writing:

Do you accept your writing style? Many writers do not. If fact, it is far too common a thing for a writer to strive to write like someone else. Do you love Poe? Are you frustrated when you strain yourself for hours trying to write just like Poe did, only to find yourself sounding more like Dr. Seuss? Do you respond by throwing your piece away and starting again? Why?

Why what?

Why did you throw your piece away?

Oh, that? Well, it didn't sound like Poe.

Are you Poe?

No, but . . .

Yes, that's right: No buts allowed. You are not Poe. You never well be Poe.

But I love Poe, his stories are so. . .

Yes, I know! I love Poe too. His stories are wonderful. But Poe is dead. And he is not you. You are not he. You are you. No one else can be you but you. You are the only you the world well ever see. Poe was the only Poe there ever was. There well never be another Poe. There well be millions who strive to be Poe, but they well all fail, because no one but Poe can really be Poe. The sooner you accept that only Poe was Poe and only you are you, the quicker you well move past all this and become the writer you were truly ment to be: you.

But

Uh! I said no buts! You are not Poe. You are YOU. There is no one else who can be you. You are special. There is no one else like you. YOU are the only one like you. Others may even try to be like you, but only you can be you. Poe cannot be you. You cannot be Poe. Poe was the only person who could write the poems and stories hidden deep within the heart and soul of Poe. Only YOU can create the stories and poems hidden deep within you. Accept yourself for who you are.

But, Poe

Did Poe try to be like you?

No of course not! Poe was Poe. He didn't try to be like anyone. He was a unique individual. He didn't try to be like no one. He was just himself. That's why I love him so much . . .

Ah! Did you hear what you just said? Poe was himself. He didn't try to be like you. He didn't try to be like Tennyson. He didn't try to be like Shakespeare. He didn't try to be like anyone. Poe was himself. Poe was different, Poe was unique. Poe has his own style. HIS OWN STYLE. Not a style he copied off someone else, but a style he created. That is why Poe stood out. That is why you like him. Because he did his own thing. Because he never did what other people did. Because he developed his own style and ran with it, instead of trying to copy someone else, gosh darn the consequences.

The lesson here? Be yourself. Don't try to copy others, it never works, you can never be anyone other than who you were born to be. Develop your own style. People well love you for it. Someday, you well be a classic, and a hundred years from now, your stories well be on the shelf along side your heroes, and people well be striving to copy you and your style. Accept yourself for who you are and you shall truly shine like the bright star you really are.

~~EelKat

Amazon Spotlight

All About Me

by Philipp Keel

Amazon Price: $10.15 (as of 10/13/2008)
List Price: $12.95
Used Price: $0.99

Is there someone special you'd like to open up to? Do you want to know yourself better? Self-discovery and self-revelation aren't easy. With simple but provocative questions, All About Me is a great tool for self-reflection that spotlights everything your loved ones would be interested to know about you but never thought--or dared--to ask. Such as: Name a friend you should not have kissed. Describe a moment when you achieved absolute happiness. Recall a compliment that made you blush. Write about your most beautiful and your most horrifying memory of your parents. Does a naked photo of you exist?

The wide-ranging questions--from short yes/no's to open-ended ones that probe your psyche--are personal, direct, and addictively fun to answer. The basic specs, including blood type and annual salary, are also covered.

If you've ever wished that you or your loved ones had been born with an operating manual, your wish has been granted. Filled in or left blank, All About Me is a perfect gift for everyone you care about--friends, relatives, mentors, and lovers. Published just in time for Valentine's Day, but also ideal for Mother's Day, Father's Day, graduations, birthdays, showers, and weddings, this unique book gives the best present of all: the gift of you.

Release Date: 01/20/1998

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