keep writing.

I want to write. I want to write shocking things. I want to write crazy things. I want to write funny things, sad things, lovely things. I want to make people laugh, cry, think, wake up. I want to inspire and encourage. I want to create dreams within people's imaginations.

When I write, I fly. I soar. But when I write I also break. I tear apart things that don't want to open. When I write, I dig deep. I gorge out the things that are hidden. When I write, my fingers chase my thoughts like a poor worker who missed the number 82 bus. When I write, I don't exist. I only live in words.

If I want to tell a story, I write. If I want to stand for something, I write. If I want to share joy, I write. If I want a burden lifted, I write. If I am lonely, I write. If anything, I write.

But things just get in the way, you know? Insecurities creep in and whisper their dissatisfaction into my tired ears. Your writing isn't that great. Come on, my mom loves the way I write! But she's your mom; of course she supports your work. But how about my friends? They like my blog. Oh, you mean those likes on the link you share on Facebook? You think those count? But...

It's okay, you see. It's okay to not like your work. It's okay to think you're not good enough, because that's the only way you are ever going to improve. It's okay to doubt your gifts, because you will find ways to prove them. And it's really, really okay to write just however you like, because you're the writer. You think of those words. You had an idea. You wanted to write about it. You did it.

You there. Keep writing.