writing with ego
if writers had no ego, they'd keep their work to themselves
What to expect...
Tone: outdoor voice
Snark level: low
Other special provisions: this post is about one of my core writerly beliefs.
my name is jake lacaze and I'm a writer with an ego.
damn, it feels good to admit that.
no one reading this should be surprised. if I had no ego, I'd keep all my writing to myself. instead, I put my writing on the internet for all the world to see, giving every piece a chance to speak to someone somewhere. that's ego at work.
knowing not every piece will connect with someone is a healthy dose of humility. and without that humility, ego becomes hubris. ego is healthy while hubris is deadly.
ego is not a dirty word
we often hear the advice to put aside our ego. but we should instead keep our ego in check.
somehow ego became a dirty word, synonymous with the braggart. so some set out to smother their egos to keep it from flourishing.
big mistake.
this quelling of ego comes down to a misunderstand of what ego is.
ego is not cockiness or arrogance.
ego is instead knowing your worth.
ego in use
imagine you're in a job interview, which you've nailed. you're the perfect candidate for this role. you know it. they know it. and best yet, you know they know it. the employer could hire a different candidate, but that would be a big mistake. because the other candidates are far less qualified and far less capable. you're expactly what this employer needs. you have all the leverage, putting you in an enviable position.
now imagine that employer offers you the job. but they want to pay you only half the rate you know you can command.
I hope your ego would make you poke out your chest and say, nah, fam, eff that. without ego, you might take that low offer because you think you should be happy to get what you can.
bring ego into your writing
don't be too humble. but don't be an insufferable twat either.
speak with authority where you know you can. know your worth as a writer, and beyond.
let your ego fly.
just keep it in check.
but listen to scream daddy frank black
and hang on to your ego.
audio of 'hang on to your ego' by frank black