“You will be glad to know that there comes a time when you no longer care as much as you once did about what other people think of what you write. Now you write primarily to please yourself. After many years of practice and of being your own worst critic, you see that when you are ready to let a piece of writing go, it is because it really does have merit. Nothing has changed except your perspective, and your knowledge that you’ve earned the right to feel the way you do.”
-
Follow
Following
Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
The Militant Writer 
This is SO true! Write on, Mary.
And you, Connie!
At one time I used to write to please the readers, but no longer. Now I write to please myself, and I have found that the words flow much more freely.
Sorry for delay in approving: Ihave been away from the internet
OK. I believe you. But I still care if the world (or a tiny part of it) actually likes or admires or wants to read what I write. Is the object to not care? I guess as long as I write it doesn’t matter.
Sorry for the delay in responding!
Hey Mary. Is this your own quotation? I think it’s true. It’s also true, though, don’t you think , that when a reader has a response to something we have written some magic, third thing happens? Lots of us are compelled to keep writing without any reward from the world and I agree that pleasing ourselves is goal enough, but it’s hard not to want that magic thing too. I hope all’s well with you.
I am quoting myself. I put quote marks around it because it is something I tell myself. I don’t always believe it. The quote marks were key: thanks for being a perceptive reader. :)