Writing Tips
Authentically Me
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A few years back, Patrick Mahomes, the quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs, was asked if he saw himself as the new face of the NFL. His answer should be shouted from the rooftops, and writers at any level should take heed.
He said:
“There are several guys that could be the face of the NFL ... Lamar [Jackson], who was the unanimous MVP last night, he had one of the best seasons of all time at the quarterback position. And, so, there's guys like that, it seems like every single year. A lot of young quarterbacks, but still a lot of veteran guys that are playing at a very high level. And, so, I just try to be the best Patrick Mahomes I can be.”
Did you hear that? He just tries to be the best Patrick Mahomes he can be.
As a writer, don’t compare yourself to Stephen King, David Balducci, Anne McCaffrey, or Kristine Kathryn Rusch. That can be such a discouraging process. There will always be someone who writes more than you, who gets better reviews than you (although I suggest you don’t read yours), or who writes more words per day. This was true in Shakespeare’s time, and it’s true today.
If you need to compare yourself to someone, compare yourself to yourself. How did you do today compared to the goals you set for yourself? Are you satisfied you wrote to the best of your ability? Did you meet your word goals? Did you get enough marketing done today? Are there ways to improve what you accomplished today to make tomorrow more productive?
The best advice I can give you is to just try to be the best (insert your name here) you can be, and you’ll be a success at whatever you do.
©Alison Naomi Holt