It's not cringe, it's incredible! I just published my first book and honestly, it took opening up about the writing process, as I was doing it, to get the dang thing done. Once you speak it into existence it starts getting real. And it should be real because this life of ours is so unbelievably short- do all of the things you dream of! I have no idea if my book will be considered a success or not but the pride I have for doing it is worth everything. Can't wait to read your book.
You are never ever too old to start. I self published my first book last year at 32 and I’m shopping around my next one. You got this! Feel free to retch but do what makes you happy and f— the naysayers.
I can completely see where you’re coming from and this whole “not cool trying” thing has bothered me for SO LONG!! Personally, I read that you’re drafting a novel and think wow, she’s so committed and has managed to come up with an idea that she can run with and has enough confidence in herself to see where it goes. Writing something long form like that is hard, and trying is impressive. Actively making something happen for yourself will always be cool
YES! And also, this is EXACTLY what I would say to anyone else doing this or anything else. Not me though 🙃🙃🙃 (thank you for reading, as always, it has been an age for me I was worried I’d lost the Substack family vibes 🤍🤍)
A tear came to my eye reading this. Its like you took the words straight from my mind (not my mouth because I have felt too cringe, too confused, too embarassed to even formulate a sentence, let alone UTTER one) about the many creative things I'd like to do. I'd like to draft a romance novel, with a LITTLE smut intertwined, (which I am absolutely sick over). If I ever get past my fear, I'd like to start a little podcast talking about the writing process and inspiring other people to go for it too. But I think you're right I should draft my launch speech before I start either of these two projects hahah. Thank you for writing this. It helps more than you know. Exactly what I needed today.
Oh my goshhhh thank you so much, you have no idea how much it means to get comments like this (I still can't believe people are reading my stuff in the first place haha). This sounds GREAT. I am absolutely willing you to get past your fear — I'll read your book!!
Ellen, there are so many books I’ve picked up off a shelf and thought, ‘How on earth did this get published?’ The standards are much lower than writers think they are: Keep going! I’m sure you’re one of the better ones if you’re concerned about it.
As someone who is in a constant state of spiral where I am stuck not even trying. I have so many things I want to do yet I haven't started. It takes self confidence and believing yourself to try and I applaud you for sharing this! I only have gotten back to reading on substack again and to maybe share my writing now that I am back to my unemployed job hunting grind. It gives me some confidence that it's okay to try and be okay with being a work in progress with myself.
Love this so much! Especially "Basically, my mantra is — trying is really, really cool, unless it’s me doing it." We are so hard on ourselves but the biggest cheerleaders for others. Love your work, can't wait to read your novel.
Absolutely beautifully stunning, wonderful piece. It's so incredibly easy to feel like a fake, like a loser. I've been learning more and more that it requires a lot of confidence and courage to take on this writing journey. As much as you'd like to be vulnerable, open, and honest, you also need to be tough, and tough for real. Secure about yourself. Thank you for sharing this!
And about this - "And I think that window probably closes somewhere around 25. After that it’s still cool and acceptable, obviously, but it’s definitely not as widely encouraged."
Very true, unfortunately... people kinda just stop asking you after 30 about your real dreams/ambitions, which sucks... but as someone who's 38 and just starting to take her own writing seriously and really TRY... there is no cut-off age, i promise!
This is me. And the thing that always stops me from doing anything, is the way I think how IF I had something to show to the world, I'd already have it clearly in my mind: there would be no small, messy stuff to start with. The first thing (and every after that) would be something truly groundbreaking and amazing that would leave people in awe.
I totally get this, but you’ve got to tell that voice to be quiet!! Everything starts terrible and messy (in my experience). The world deserves to see what you have to show!!
I resonate with this on a soul level. Currently writing my first book and I am really excited about it! I'm determined to get over my embarrassment of following a dream I've had since I was a kid. I guess my first step is posting this comment and admitting it out loud lol.
It's not cringe, it's incredible! I just published my first book and honestly, it took opening up about the writing process, as I was doing it, to get the dang thing done. Once you speak it into existence it starts getting real. And it should be real because this life of ours is so unbelievably short- do all of the things you dream of! I have no idea if my book will be considered a success or not but the pride I have for doing it is worth everything. Can't wait to read your book.
Congratulations on your book!! That’s amaaazing. You’re the goal! And thanks so much for your lovey comment!
You are never ever too old to start. I self published my first book last year at 32 and I’m shopping around my next one. You got this! Feel free to retch but do what makes you happy and f— the naysayers.
LOVE this! You’re literally the goal!!
OH STOP IT! 🥹🩷 Thank you so much. You got this! Can’t wait to read your novel.
I can completely see where you’re coming from and this whole “not cool trying” thing has bothered me for SO LONG!! Personally, I read that you’re drafting a novel and think wow, she’s so committed and has managed to come up with an idea that she can run with and has enough confidence in herself to see where it goes. Writing something long form like that is hard, and trying is impressive. Actively making something happen for yourself will always be cool
YES! And also, this is EXACTLY what I would say to anyone else doing this or anything else. Not me though 🙃🙃🙃 (thank you for reading, as always, it has been an age for me I was worried I’d lost the Substack family vibes 🤍🤍)
A tear came to my eye reading this. Its like you took the words straight from my mind (not my mouth because I have felt too cringe, too confused, too embarassed to even formulate a sentence, let alone UTTER one) about the many creative things I'd like to do. I'd like to draft a romance novel, with a LITTLE smut intertwined, (which I am absolutely sick over). If I ever get past my fear, I'd like to start a little podcast talking about the writing process and inspiring other people to go for it too. But I think you're right I should draft my launch speech before I start either of these two projects hahah. Thank you for writing this. It helps more than you know. Exactly what I needed today.
Oh my goshhhh thank you so much, you have no idea how much it means to get comments like this (I still can't believe people are reading my stuff in the first place haha). This sounds GREAT. I am absolutely willing you to get past your fear — I'll read your book!!
Ellen, there are so many books I’ve picked up off a shelf and thought, ‘How on earth did this get published?’ The standards are much lower than writers think they are: Keep going! I’m sure you’re one of the better ones if you’re concerned about it.
This is SUCH a good point!! Thank you!
As someone who is in a constant state of spiral where I am stuck not even trying. I have so many things I want to do yet I haven't started. It takes self confidence and believing yourself to try and I applaud you for sharing this! I only have gotten back to reading on substack again and to maybe share my writing now that I am back to my unemployed job hunting grind. It gives me some confidence that it's okay to try and be okay with being a work in progress with myself.
Yesss! Love love love the idea of being a work in progress. You’ve got this!!
I’ve just turned 30 and only started giving writing a go a couple of years ago, so this was a real salve to read. Thank you for writing it 🤍
LOVE this for you, thanks so much for reading 💕
Don't kill the part of you that's cringe, kill the part that cringes!
I loved this, thank you for sharing it with us!!!
Ah thank you Ali!!
also it should be illegal how cool coco mellors is
Literalllyyyyy this
Love this so much! Especially "Basically, my mantra is — trying is really, really cool, unless it’s me doing it." We are so hard on ourselves but the biggest cheerleaders for others. Love your work, can't wait to read your novel.
This is SO kind, thank you! We are soooo hard on ourselves, we've gotta stop!!
Absolutely beautifully stunning, wonderful piece. It's so incredibly easy to feel like a fake, like a loser. I've been learning more and more that it requires a lot of confidence and courage to take on this writing journey. As much as you'd like to be vulnerable, open, and honest, you also need to be tough, and tough for real. Secure about yourself. Thank you for sharing this!
Yes!!! So so true, thanks so much for your lovely comment!!!
love love all of this! very much relate.
And about this - "And I think that window probably closes somewhere around 25. After that it’s still cool and acceptable, obviously, but it’s definitely not as widely encouraged."
Very true, unfortunately... people kinda just stop asking you after 30 about your real dreams/ambitions, which sucks... but as someone who's 38 and just starting to take her own writing seriously and really TRY... there is no cut-off age, i promise!
A sad truth in that case! I’m SO glad you’re giving trying a go, too!! I love this for us. Thanks so much for commenting
This is me. And the thing that always stops me from doing anything, is the way I think how IF I had something to show to the world, I'd already have it clearly in my mind: there would be no small, messy stuff to start with. The first thing (and every after that) would be something truly groundbreaking and amazing that would leave people in awe.
I totally get this, but you’ve got to tell that voice to be quiet!! Everything starts terrible and messy (in my experience). The world deserves to see what you have to show!!
I resonate with this on a soul level. Currently writing my first book and I am really excited about it! I'm determined to get over my embarrassment of following a dream I've had since I was a kid. I guess my first step is posting this comment and admitting it out loud lol.
This is so exciting!! And now that you’ve admitted it out loud, one of the hardest parts is over hahahaha. You’ve got this. Keep me updated!!
Oh how this hit me. Thank you!
In it together 👏🏻👏🏻