Embracing Past Works: Lessons Learned from Deleting My Story
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Chapter 1: The Weight of Regret
There’s a vital lesson I wish I had learned before dedicating myself fully to writing: you will eventually outgrow your own narratives. It’s highly likely that you may come to disapprove of a story you once thought was exceptional.
A few years ago, I completed a 50,000-word novel and published it. To my surprise, it attracted about 48,000 reads online within a few months. However, during that time, I began working on a new story, one that I believed had a more captivating plot and richer characters.
With increasing attention came a heightened self-awareness regarding my first book. Each time I revisited it, I could only see the flaws and missed opportunities, which significantly undermined my confidence. Eventually, I couldn't bear the thought of my name being linked to a book I no longer cherished, leading me to remove it from the publishing platform.
In hindsight, I regret that choice. This experience taught me several important lessons:
Writing is an Evolving Journey
Writing is a continuous process, always open to improvement. We evolve as writers, and this holds true across all forms of writing. Each time we release a new blog post or article, our previous works become overshadowed by our latest endeavors. The same principle applies to novels; our writing style changes as we learn new techniques and vocabulary with each project.
It's natural to revisit earlier works and recognize areas for enhancement or different approaches. This doesn’t imply that your previous writing was subpar; rather, each new endeavor allows you to grow as a writer.
There Will Be Admirers of Your Work
Embrace your past writings, as they are the foundation for your current creations. It took me time to understand this. There will always be readers who appreciate your books, regardless of how you perceive them. Just because your feelings toward an older work have shifted doesn’t mean others won't find value in it.
I was taken aback when a friend praised my book, despite my own reservations about its quality. This taught me to accept my earlier works, regardless of how much I believe they could have improved. Your book, even if you think it has lost its charm over time, can still resonate with others.
You're Your Harshest Critic
Consider how you might dislike the sound of your recorded voice. While others may not share your opinion, you are often your own toughest critic. This phenomenon extends to writing; you might scrutinize your work more rigorously than anyone else.
This excessive self-criticism can obscure the positive aspects of your writing, eroding your self-esteem and convincing you that your work is riddled with flaws. Resist the urge to succumb to this negative inner dialogue, as I did.
To gain perspective, consider inviting a trusted, honest person to read your work. Their insights may highlight the strengths of your writing that you may have overlooked.
The video titled "How to Recover Deleted Instagram Stories 2024 (Quick & Easy)" explores useful tips for retrieving lost stories, a topic that resonates with my own experience of regret. In a world where every piece of writing represents a part of our journey, understanding how to recover or embrace our past works can prove invaluable.