#... Man I sound like a bummer lol. Seriously anon. Thank you for your kind words. They mean a lot to me

[burningcheese-merchant]

I've read your stories, so well written! Which is what I want to talk about, HOW ARE YOU SO GOOD AT WRITING!?! Half of the words you use I have no idea existed! How can ya write an engaging story from looking at one sentence so quickly?! What are ya secrets?!

(If you have already answered a question like this, can ya link me?)

Thank you, my friend :3 I'm not that great, trust me haha. I'm just a turbo nerd with 20-ish years of books under their belt, that's why I'm relatively well-spoken. I'm also afflicted with an overactive imagination that helps keep me awake at night (among other things), which is how I'm struck with inspiration in the way that I am. (Seriously, I get writing/drawing ideas constantly, all throughout the day. I have docs I write them down in so I don't forget them)

I did answer a question like this before, but I don't mind answering it again just so I can offer another bit of writing advice that I consider very important:

Don't compare yourself to others. Well and truly, comparison is the thief of joy. Learn from others, yes. Read the classics, look up to the greats, dive into works that are lauded as masterpieces so you can grasp what works in storytelling and why. But, on the flip side, don't allow yourself to get discouraged while you do so (which might be easier said than done, granted). Envy and inadequacy are tragically common feelings every person grapples with, in every aspect of life, writing included. You might read something so great that you'll feel like a damn fool standing next to it. Don't let this happen. It's ok to feel bad; someone will always be better than us at something, for better or worse. But you can't let it drag you down. Use it as fuel for improvement. Compare to gauge your own strengths and weaknesses and find inspiration, not just to put yourself down. You'll never want to do anything if you do, because you'll think there's no point when you're not as good or beloved as someone else. Work hard, get better, do not be afraid to tell yourself "good job" - and, with all of this, do it for YOU. Write because it makes you happy. Don't chase trends to be popular and appease others, don't browbeat yourself because you don't measure up to someone "better". Just write what you want and improve your technique for your own sake. You can become the greatest writer in the world and still be miserable because you keep comparing yourself to someone else. The only person you can be is YOU. Take SOME measure of pride and joy in your own work, however good or bad it turns out to be. You'll never know peace or happiness otherwise