Are you stuck because you’re not sure the world needs to hear what you have to say?

In a recent workshop, one of the participants mentioned that she was suffering from imposter syndrome. Why should she bother writing a book when so many other people, some of them much more experienced and accomplished, have already written books on the topic?

That question hits close to home. Most of us wrestle with the same doubt: What makes my voice worth sharing?

So often we’re not sure that the world needs our writing. Maybe our stuff just isn’t new enough, or interesting enough, or well written enough. What makes us so special? Maybe the world already has enough voices clamoring for attention.

I’ve been there.

It’s hard to feel authorized to share your voice with the world. Most of us aren’t confident (arrogant?) enough to imagine the world really needs to listen to us. After all, there are tons of other writers out there of all stripes trying to be heard. Why should we bother, especially if we aren’t the smartest thinker or most authoritative source or the best romance/mystery/etc writer?

But I’m convinced the world needs your voice right now—and here’s why. (My apologies for the extended ice cream metaphor...)

1. Writing is a conversation, not a competition. (There is no “best” flavor)

There is no answer to the question, “What is the best ice cream?” Just because chocolate is an incredible flavor doesn’t mean we don’t benefit from having other flavors. In the same way, just because people have written wonderful books in your field or genre does not mean we don’t need more books. Like a great ice cream parlor, the best conversations have many voices sharing different perspectives and telling their own unique stories. There will never be an end to the conversation about how to be a good person, or the meaning of universe, or an end to our need to read about people overcoming tragedy or falling in love.

2. Every voice adds to the conversation. (Only you can add your unique flavor)

Sticking with our ice cream metaphor, the only person who can add your unique flavor to the conversation is you. No matter how brilliant another writer might be, they can only write in their own style, from their own experiences, with their particular voice. If you don’t share your voice, the conversation will be lesser for it. I shudder to think what life would be like if Baskin Robbins had thought chocolate was so good that they didn’t need to invent my favorite flavor: jamoca almond fudge. Don’t rob the world of your flavor.

3. The world needs many teachers. (People like different flavors)

Yes, there are some writers out there with huge audiences. It can be incredibly intimidating to write in their genre or niche. Why should anyone listen to you? When I was in graduate school, my fellow students and I would panic if we saw that someone had written a new book or even a journal article about a topic we wanted to study. We assumed it meant that the world had no need for our lowly scholastic efforts. But we had it backwards.

The more popular the field (looking at you, romance and productivity worlds…), the more important it is for there to be many teachers. The reason is simple: just like people all have different favorite ice cream flavors, people also have very different favorites when it comes to entertainment and learning. As a teacher, I can tell you from long experience that you can’t help everyone. Some people learn best from people like you, but others you just can’t reach. Someone else needs to help them.

No matter how many people love Stephen King, there are tons of people who don’t love him. No matter how many people love the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, there are even more people who don’t find it useful at all. And so on.

Baskin Robbins makes great ice cream, but that doesn’t mean we don’t need Haagen Dazs and Ben & Jerry’s!

4. Writing must constantly be made new. (Ice cream melts)

Like a bowl of ice cream, writing doesn’t last forever. Outside of a few religious texts and some classics, very little writing survives more than a few years past its writing. That might sound depressing, but in truth writers have a sacred duty. It is writers who transmit ancient stories and eternal truths to new audiences. Civilization is nothing but stories about who we are, where we’ve been, and where we’re going. Without writers to renew and refresh our understanding of our world, our world could not exist. Even the classics need new teachers or we will stop be able to make sense of them.

Yes, brilliant writers have come before you, but in addition to the reasons we’ve already discussed, you are part of the unbroken line of torchbearers passing the light from generation to generation. Don’t let the ice cream melt!

5. Writing helps you find your voice. (You get better the more ice cream you make)

Finally, let me assure those of you who are aspiring or younger writers: the very act of writing and sharing it with the world is the single best way to figure out exactly what you want to say. The more you write, the stronger and clearer your voice will be. The first time I made ice cream it was…not great. Likewise, your first written efforts will not be your best. Don’t sweat it. Just remember that you can’t start great, but you have to start to be great. If we all waited until we felt confident, the shelves would be empty and there would be no delicious ice cream for dessert.

My apologies for the long rant - I hate thinking that people out there are hesitating because they're worried we don't need to hear them. We absolutely need to hear them. I hope my rambling gives you some courage and support for your writing journey. I’m looking forward to finding out what crazy flavors you all are planning to create next.

Thanks for the writing you do, and thanks for reading mine. I'll see you next Friday.

Happy writing,

Trevor