it’s so interesting you say that because i felt extremely self conscious about posting drywalled because i felt that my writing was subpar this time around LOL. i couldn’t help but compare my writing skills to the next person so i guess it’s all relative. despite the fact that i’ve been writing for nearly half of my life at this point. all of that is to say, comparison is the thief of joy. reading others’ writing can put a fire under you to improve your skills, but it can also smother your progress as a writer entirely. it’s important to have a balance, kind of like how it’s said that a good amount of stress is necessary for a productive life. i hope i’m making sense!

i’m definitely not the oracle of prose nor am i an expert, but the advice that i can give you is: write what speaks to you. that passion will show in your writing, i promise you. if you’ve ever experienced that burst of energy that has you writing hundreds or maybe even thousands of words in one sitting, you know what i’m talking about. harness that; it’s difficult sometimes, i know for myself that getting stuck and losing that streak can feel so discouraging (looks at my dozens of abandoned wips) but if the passion’s there, it’ll return to you. at the same time, don’t force it—if at any moment writing feels like pulling teeth, step away and take a break.

also, don’t be afraid to use online sources. it doesn’t make you any less of a writer. i cannot tell you how often i’m on thesaurus dot com because i’ve forgotten how else to say a certain word lol all my years of schooling fly out the window every time.

a bonus one for me is i try to avoid using epithets (i.e. the younger one, the shorter one, etc) just out of my own preference and i think it can be a good way to practice feeling more comfortable with “repetitive” language—it’s okay to address the character by name multiple times in one paragraph. it may seem constant to you as the writer, but as the reader, it actually flows pretty nicely and we don’t even notice the supposed repetition. (but feel free to use epithets if that is what you prefer. there’s nothing wrong with using them!)

drawing off of that last point, i think the best advice i can give to wrap this up is to write from the perspective of your hypothetical reader. it kind of relates back to the self indulgence point i made earlier. honing in on that passion is so important as a fanfiction writer especially. be the change you want to see. ask yourself if what you’re writing is what you yourself would read. i know we’re naturally more critical of our own writing than we are of others’, but ingraining this in your process can help undo all that self doubt you might have.

but honestly, truly, you telling me that you try your best means you’re already there. you don’t need me at all! keep on keeping on. there may be days where you think your writing is spectacular, and days where you believe the opposite. again, it’s all relative. just continue doing your best and giving your all. and remember to have fun with it! every last bit of shipping culture, including writing, should be enjoyable 🩵