How To Always Write Your Best Work

Sometimes writers can get so caught up with the idea of being perfect that they sabotage their chances of success.

The problem with putting that much pressure on ourselves is that we are never going to live up to our expectations. Our writing can’t be flawless, it can’t be perfect, and as soon as we can get rid of that idea, then we can always write our very best work.

Remember, there is no such thing as a bad idea.

When you have an idea for your story, it can be so easy to get excited, to rush home to start writing, only to realize as you begin to unpick it that it’s a terrible idea that will never ever work! Well, perhaps you are wrong. At least sort of wrong. There is no such thing as a bad idea. Ideas are like rivers, they are fluid, the change and flow and can turn into something completely different. Your idea may not work as it is, but hold it up to the light, turn it around in your mind, add something, take something away, inspect it from every angle. Chances are if it got your heart racing initially, there is something there that is worth hanging onto.

Bad writing is just a work in progress.

You are always writing your best because that’s the best you can do at the time. If you look back at it and roll your eyes and groan, then take a moment and step back and stop being so harsh on yourself. There might be room for improvement sure, but writers can always learn and grow, and it’s important to respect the fact that when we write, we are doing our best, and therefore it is our best at that point. It doesn’t need to be scorned or mocked afterwards, instead to be nurtured and molded and gently pushed to become something better.

It’s all about having the right mindset.

You can’t write your best if you are going to continue to be cynical about your writing, especially if you are always in a negative mindset before you begin. Treat yourself like you would do a child. You would be encouraging, supportive, and sympathetic - and if you could tell they were trying their best you would be proud of them. If you could only treat your writing self that way, and get into a positive and productive mindset before you start and allow yourself to be genuinely, creatively free. If you could achieve this, you will always write your best, and you should be proud of the results - whatever they are, as well.

Writing your best isn’t about writing correctly, it isn't about creating pristine, error-free stories that are already amazing. Writing your best is about trying your best, putting your heart and soul and passion into your work every time you sit down to write. So stop focusing on trying to make it flawless - and just do your best - that’s what really matters after all.

Bethany Cadman -author of 'Doctor Vanilla's Sunflowers'

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