This Means You’re Not Ready To Be a Writer

And it’s not about writing.

Photo by Phil Botha on Unsplash

You may be a gifted wordsmith, have a rich vocabulary and intriguing ideas, and still fail as a writer.

It doesn’t matter whether you want to write a novel or become a viral blogger, or start a copywriting business — this one thing will keep you from succeeding.

I’m talking about your arrogance.

Are you really arrogant?

You’re arrogant if you talk down to your readers, sometimes without even realizing it. Maybe you think “I wish they’d understand this, it’s worked so well for me”, but on the page, it translates to “I know it all and look at you!”

You’re arrogant if you think you can write a bestseller or a viral article just because you have a great idea (one that no one else has ever had, I’m sure).

Mostly, you’re arrogant if you’re new at this. It’s not that you want to be condescending, you’re just writing with your ego, and your ego’s mission isn’t to be helpful. It’s to be first.

In a world of influencers where everyone pretends to know everything about everything, and where that’s actually encouraged, no wonder you find it difficult to be vulnerable and honest. No wonder your real voice is buried deep under the need to prove…