E.A. Brady

Someone told me once that it was none of my business what other people think of me. I thought that was a little harsh. After all, I wanted people to like me.

I started messing around with writing fiction back in 2017. I wasn’t serious about it, and it was more for the fun of creating and getting to live in worlds I created than it was about ever writing anything anybody else would ever read. (I have three or four versions of my very first story, all with different character motivations and goals. Eventually I hope to nail down one arc for those people and get that story out of my laptop and into the hands of actual readers!)

But here’s the truth about writing – there’s nothing quite as satisfying, or terrifying, as letting someone else read the words I’ve written and live in the worlds I’ve created. But if I want to get something published, either traditionally or indie, I have to let my words out into the world! I have to trust and know that not everyone will like what I write. Some may even (gasp) hate it. But I also have to trust and know that there will be people who love what I write. They will fall in love with my characters and want to spend time in their world.

Do I want everyone who reads my work to like it? Absolutely.

Do I think everyone who reads my work will like it? If only.

But you know what? Over the years, I’ve realized a hard truth. It really isn’t any of my business what people think of me. All I can do is try my best and keep on keeping on.

Have you ever gotten advice that took longer than it probably should have to sink in? How do you push yourself outside of your comfort zone to do big things?