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Dear Writer,
It happens to me. I pour my heart into the words, backspacing and editing until the letters blur on the screen. I hit publish, and my creation disperses into billions of pieces throughout the internet, waiting for someone to read. Will anyone read? Will anyone care? Will my words make a difference to anyone out there?
I get comments from loyal readers, mostly fellow bloggers in my tribe. But would they notice if I stopped blogging? With so many of us out there, do my words matter?
They do, and so do yours. You may not know when, or to whom, but they matter.
I had never commented on a blog before I became a blogger myself, and I think that’s fairly common. Just as blogging is putting yourself out there, leaving a comment can be intimidating to a reader, or not worth the time and effort. Don’t interpret the lack of comments as a lack of interest.
You never know when your words will make a difference. There are so many ways your writing can matter, even if you aren’t aware of them.
Your words may make someone laugh. Sometimes I write for the sole purpose of making my readers smile. I’m not solving a problem or sharing a helpful tip, but I’m bringing a bit of humor to someone’s day. That matters.
An acquaintance once told me that on the mornings she received an email alerting her of a new post from me, she would wait for the kids to go to school, then settle in with her cup of coffee and read. My writing was something to be anticipated with pleasure. I remind myself of this when I question the impact of my words.
Your post may make a reader nod her head in agreement. She may think, “Thank goodness it’s not just me,” or “It’s reassuring to know someone else feels the same way.” Sharing your own experiences may help others feel less alone. That matters.
There are infinite commonalities in the human experience, and your writing touches on the ones to which you relate. Whether you share your struggles, triumphs, dilemmas, or celebrations, they will strike a chord with someone who reads.
Your words may educate. It could be a new recipe, a diy project, or a book review; if your writing leaves the reader knowing more than she did before, that matters.
When a reader tells me how much she enjoyed a book I reviewed or a product I recommended, I know that my words made a difference.
Your words may build bridges and make the world smaller. I have met men and women from a variety of cultures and backgrounds; most are people I would never meet in person. They live across the ocean, or they simply live a life completely different from my own. I know them through their writing, and their words have made my world larger. Sharing our experiences encourages empathy and compassion, and that matters.
Your words are more than page views and social media statistics. The post with one hundred Facebook shares is not necessarily better than your post with none, although that can be hard to remember in a world where many define success and popularity with likes, retweets, and favorites.
If you are still skeptical, let me ask you two final questions. Do your words and your writing matter to you? Would you still write if no one else read your words?
I suspect that the answer is yes, or you wouldn’t be reading this letter. You care about your words mattering to others because they matter to you. If you find joy in writing, then it matters. If writing helps you express your thoughts and emotions, then it matters. If writing gives you peace or closure, then it matters.
Keep writing, because your words make a difference.
Sincerely,
A fellow blogger
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Hi Dana,
What an inspiring article for all writers in the world! Keep on writing whether you write well or not. The time will teaches you and improves your writing. One day your writing will get noticed and honoured.
Hope this happens one day to me also.
Thanks for this motivational writing.
Reji Stephenson
Thank you for this post. I can’t tell you how many times I think I should just give it up because no one is reading except for those wonderful loyal readers.
Sharing our experiences encourages empathy and compassion, and that matters.
thank you guys for sharing such a great and helpful work.
Loved your encouraging post, Dana. It’s easy to think we must have lots of views, shares, likes etc etc, and to feel demotivated if we don’t; but as you say (so well), it’s important to hold on to why we’re writing, which is to make a connection with others about things that matter to us. We all have a unique voice, and every one is special.
Thank you, Jacqui! You are right – every one of us has a unique voice that is worthy of sharing. The trick is to not get hung up on how much it’s being shared!
Thank you for this. I was just thinking yesterday if my words matter. I felt defeated, like no one was seeing my writing, my posts. This post was just what I needed.
I’m so happy to hear that, Stacy. I hope you were able to shake off that defeated feeling, and that you will keep writing.
Very helpful post, thank you! Recently, I’ve been very busy with everything that I sometimes think of reasons why I’m still blogging. There are really times I feel demotivated, your article is a big help!
Thank you! I need to go back and read this words sometimes, too.
Thank you for this post. I struggle with my blog for all of these reasons! I too will be printing this out as a reminder that I may affect even one person with what I say. Thanks for the reminder.
My pleasure, Amy!
Oh, this is so timely, and so so encouraging! I know sometimes – probably like many of us reading this – I will write the “easier” blog posts – the ones that don’t have as much heart, as much “risk”, as much of me, in them. Maybe it’s out of fear (as most things that we talk ourselves out of doing), but this was a great reminder that we shouldn’t be afraid to pour out our souls. That even if only 1 person ends up reading it, it can be helpful. And I guess, if we take it even farther, and even if no one ends up reading it, it was still beneficial for us, the writer of it.
Thanks so much for the reminder, and keep on encouraging, challenging, bringing a smile and brightness to the world with your writing! (you and all of us reading this!) 🙂
I’m so glad this post encouraged you, Kelly! Thank you for letting me know that MY words mattered today.
I’m preparing to launch my first blog. I have five blogs written with five more to go before launch. Self-doubt constantly creeps in causing me to wrestle with every single word on the page. This post helped me to realize that I need to relax and keep writing. My words matter.
Yes, they do, Cindy. Best of luck to you as you launch your blog!
http://joygamingz.ru
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I love this post so much! Every blogger should read it. I feel so discouraged sometimes when I look at my page views or comments. This really changed my perspective – it’s so encouraging. Thank you for writing this! 🙂
Oh how I loved this! Thanks so much – – I’ve printed this out and put it under my desktop glass! I needed some ways to affirm this that didn’t relate to numbers. Number of comments, number of shares, number of tweets. I’m throwing all those out with the number on my bathroom scale. 😉
Take care,
Stephanie
Thank you, Stephanie! It’s hard to let go of the numbers – especially when there is a share counter at the bottom of the post. 😉
It’s easy to get off track and start keeping track of our standings, rather than why we do what we do. I find your article a beautiful reminder of something I keep reading from time to time…Rilke’s Letters to a Young Poet…especially #1. He too shares the basis for writing, because I must, because it is something that I cannot not do. Thank you for being an encouragement to my heart today.
My pleasure, Lesley-Anne! Thank you for your kind words.
Lovely! Thank you!
Glad you enjoyed it, Bonnie.
This was so encouraging, Dana, and something I need to hear! Thank you for writing and sharing this with us.
We all need to hear it sometimes, don’t we? Glad it helped, Katy.
Beautifully said and perfect for all bloggers who, at one time or another, doubt themselves. So true. Success is NOT about pageviews. It’s about making a difference. To ourselves and to others. Thank you for writing this important piece.
It is about making a difference – thanks, Cathy!
Dana, this is just what I wanted to hear today. In a world where blogger burn out is prevalent and motivation is sometimes hard to come by, your words are inspiring. Thank you for reminding us all that our words and our craft is powerful and we are, indeed, enough.
You’re so welcome, Maria! Comments like yours inspire me to keep writing, too.
I love this and I think every blogger, writer, freelancer needs the reminder! I absolutely love (but am also horrified) when someone tells me my blog inspired them or made them laugh. I may not have huge numbers but I do believe my writing makes a difference. It also makes a big difference to ME because I always feel better after I release my words.
Thank you for this and keep writing! I love your words and your blog and I would hunt you down if you stopped 🙂
Ha – that’s good to know, Allie! I feel better after I release the words too.
Love this Dana! AND I would absolutely miss you if you didn’t blog!!!!! I hope you’re enjoying your vacation. Can’t wait to read all about it;)!
I’d miss you too, Allie!
Perfect and true.
Thanks, Lisa!
Hi Dana! Thank YOU for writing this post for all of us writers. I KNOW that my words matter (most especially to me) but also to my readers even when they don’t always talk about it or leave comments. I remind myself constantly that is just one person is helped by what I’ve written then I am a success. It’s important NOT to get sucked into the constant comparison that our statistics that come with the “job” and instead let the passion and purpose be our guide. Thanks again for these excellent reminders. ~Kathy
I’m glad this resonated with you, Kathy! It is easy to forget the purpose of our writing; we all need a reminder now and then.