Do Your Shortcomings Make You A Good Writer?

Posted on December 19, 2016 Updated on December 22, 2016

Insomnia has been one of the most challenging aspects of my life, but I manage with the right medication. Depression is the second most challenging fight. And currently, I’m winning. But, on the sleep front, the battle is ongoing. It’s already taken a few trial and error rounds with my doctor in order to treat my chronic insomnia and to find the right medication that works.

Sometimes it takes a long time for meds to kick in, and then they leave you groggy in the morning. As a writer it can be frustrating to be too tired to write because the meds didn’t work again or worked too well. For example, I woke up the other night at 2 a.m., totally wide awake with an “ah hah” moment. I ran to my computer and started to write and didn’t stop until I glanced up at the clock and it was 5 a.m.

I’ve been doing some rewrites in response to some comments made by my sister, who’s been helping me as a beta reader. Although she’s a YA writer and I’m adult fiction, and our styles are drastically different, she provided some valuable insight that enabled me to make the revision process easier. Her input marinated in my head and I took advantage of my temperamental sleep patterns that early morning.

When you’re looking at your own work, it’s hard to see what changes need to be made in order to develop your story and make it stronger. You might assume everything is fine, until your beta reader points out something you didn’t notice. There is always room to describe better or “show” and reduce unneeded mental narrative.

The Bottom Line:

Inspiration comes at all times of the day or night. I absolutely love getting feedback and critiques because they help me to grow. With the help of input, you never know what inspiration might spring forth because of valuable feedback. So, take advantage of your shortcomings, whether they be your inability to sleep or fill in the blanks. You might be surprised how your idiosyncrasies or conditions can actually fuel your ability to write. What you perceive to be the worst things about you might end up being the very things that make you excel as a writer.