In a roomful of writers, I will never be the most technically skilled.
I rely on instinct rather than technique. I use too many commas. My prose veers purple. I never got the memo about adverbs and dialogue tags.
But I’m good at telling stories. When I have something to say, others tend to listen. People often tell me that I translate their deepest emotions into words.
We all have creative superpowers, and I think translating the ineffable is mine. I can put words to the truths we feel in our bones, felt-sense truths that defy expression through ordinary language, in a way that few others can.
Knowing this about myself changes the way I think about my craft. I could spend years working on my shortcomings. I could strive for technical mastery rather than mere competence. I could learn every rule about commas, adverbs, and dialogue tags under the sun.
I could invest my time and energy there, and in 10 years, maybe I could raise my technical skills from B- to A. Maybe.
But people don’t read my writing for its technical brilliance. They read it because it strikes an emotional chord. They read it for that felt-sense truth translated into words.
That’s where my writing shines. I’ll invest my energy there and settle for competence with the rest.
What if you did the same?
What if, instead of focusing on all the ways your art falls short, you leaned into your brilliance instead?
How brilliant will you dare to let yourself become?
Yes, Robin! This is exactly why I love reading your Stack. And I find that I approach my writing and art in a similar way. While I might branch out to try new techniques, I know what I'm good at and what I most enjoy, so tend to focus my energy there.
Robin, I agree 100 %! You put words to the truths I feel in my bones like no one else.
Fuck the commas!
I don't know what my superpower is yet. Some people have said they feel like my writing is casual, like I am having a conversation with them. Maybe. But the more I write, the more I will figure it out. Thanks, Robin!