Do not let what you think they think of you make you stop and question everything you are.
Carrie Fisher
I’m not sure what your opinion on the late, great Carrie Fisher is. Despite having found her tweets incredibly confounding, what long-form writing of hers I was exposed to really stayed with me. Postcards from the Edge might be the first book I’ve ever read where the author’s voice truly struck me as unique.
Now…this may say more about where I was in my reading journey and life overall at the time than being any kind of disparaging comment on anything I had read previously but…I digress.
The point is, whether she meant this or not, in reading that book I truly felt as if Ms. Fisher herself was speaking to me – trying to explain something about who she was and what her seemingly glamorous life was or had been like. It went beyond memoir or autobiography, despite being fiction. Like cracking open a soul.
Her book confirmed what I had already surmised: I wanted to write and I wanted to write in my own voice – not one that was prescribed to me.
But something held me back. What would people think? Would my voice resonate with them as Carrie’s had with me? Or would they toss my work aside as self-indulgent drivel from a wannabe writer?
Where am I going with this?
Ah, yes, I remember.
For years now I’ve been haphazardly crafting reviews on Goodreads (previously) and StoryGraph (currently) – more often for the books I truly enjoy which, thankfully, seem to have been the vast majority of the ones I have picked up.
At some point, I decided this might be a fun feature to add to the blog. I read so many bookish blogs and dabble in bookstagram that I thought “what better company to join than that of my fellow readers?”
So I wrote and posted one. And then another. And then I got so excited at how much I was producing and thought “why not summarize all my best reads each month? Articles, blogs, books, you name it.”
This lasted for a while longer than I expected honestly. But I had this nagging thought in the back of my head that my reviews and reading roundups were, well, amateur at best. I thought the serious reviewers would see my attempts to share my love of books as a desperate grasping at their bibliophilic haven. The uncouth rambling of yet another wishful bookish star.
So I stopped.
But why? I have never received a single negative comment, not that those should matter anyway, and in fact I’ve been thrilled by the multiple grateful comments that have come my way from bloggers I happened to feature.
So why the self-doubt? Well, in short, it appears it is all in my head. An internal gaggle of ghoulish gossips gunning for my…glory? Ok, I admit it, I ran out of steam on that alliteration at the end.
But, regardless, I need to stop comparing myself to other reviewers – most with more experience than me. It may take a while for me to find my stride, graphic identity and all, but I’ll post my reviews moving forward. For those who care to read them.
Starting with the one below.
I’m tired of questioning based on the critiques of fabricated individuals. And, besides, since I’m reading so much lately it’s an easy way to write consistently while I get my travelogue inspiration going. It’s time I took back this blog. So here goes!
Mini Review: The Museum of Ordinary People
This book was so beautifully written and the characters were realistically flawed yet loveable in their own ways. I quite honestly did not see the twists coming and while it certainly led to some frustrations with some characters, overall it led to a satisfying resolution. I love books that portray the messiness of real life without getting too melodramatic and this struck the perfect balance. A great choice for people who enjoy human interest stories involving major crossroads in life.
If you’ve stuck around this long, thank you. It really means the world to have people out there reading my writing, whatever form it takes.
And, don’t worry, I’m planning a triumphant return to travelogue…ing France soon.
Remember, even when your inner critics resist silencing, everything you are – and life itself – is beautiful.
XO Erin
Erin of the Hills 
I am not a great book reader. I used to be, but other things have grabbed my interest in these latter years. You have been kind enough to read some of my travel posts. Some travel blogs go into great details and explain what to see and what to do. They are very good and informative. However, my bog, “Wanderings” is really just a stroll through life and places and the things that just “happen” on the way. Like you, I started off with certain trepidation, when looking at other well established blogs, but decided to do it my way, short texts, photos (one of my passions) and a bit of humour. I don’t have a great number of followers, but it is my way of creating “something” which is a worthy thing to do, for good or bad. It reminds me of many magic moments and perhaps that is my reward. So…. having read your post, I felt like sharing my view. I have many more stories to share, and hope, you will continue doing the same. And….thank you fot accompanying me on some of my journeys which I very much appreciate.
Thank you so very much for taking the time to read and comment. I always enjoy your posts and am living vicariously through your various adventures right now! Far-flung travel has taken a backseat for the moment with two young kids but reading is indeed picking up again thank goodness.
I think we all feel some imposter syndrome when comparing ourselves to other creators but it’s so important to keep creating…even if our audiences are smaller than some. I look forward to continuing to enjoy your posts and I will endeavour to keep posting here as well.