The 3 Stages of Developing as a Writer

This new groundbreaking theory reveals how advanced a writer you really are. There are 3 stages in developing as a writer. Which stage are you in now, and how do you get to the ultimate stage 3? Keep reading to find out.

1. The Egocentric Writer

At stage 1, your only concern as a writer is what you like. You don't think about what your readers want, because you assume they want whatever you want. The only problem is, nobody reads your work except you.

The Egocentric Writer is blessed with unlimited self-confidence. At this stage, any writer knows they're going to be a bestselling author. They adopt the role of a misunderstood artist. At stage 1, you often dream about your future as a famous author, and how people will regret they didn't recognize your talent.

2. The People-Pleasing Writer

When you reach the People-Pleasing Writer stage, you read a lot of work by other writers and try to imitate their style. As a result, you write stories like "How to Get Your Ex Back - 4 Proven Tactics", "This Skincare Routine Really Works - Try This Amazing Method", and "3 Things on Marketing Every Blogger Should Know - The Ultimate Checklist".

At this stage, some people are reading your work, but they don't love it. In a way, at stage 2 you're an even worse writer than at stage 1. At the People-Pleasing Writer stage, you're not bad enough to be bad, but you're not good either. You're just okay.

Being an okay writer is so depressing, that many People-Pleasing Writers deliberately go back to being Egocentric Writers. In stage 1, at least you were bad enough so nobody could say you were just okay.

3. The Authentic Writer

Very few writers ever reach stage 3, the Authentic Writer. At the last stage of developing as a writer, you've found your Authentic Voice.

When you reach stage 3, you're finally finding success. Your fans worship you. Of course, at this stage, you're getting haters too. The haters hate your writing style and think you're a snob. When you have both a fan club and a hate club, you know you've made it!

How do you become an Authentic Writer, then? The only way is to start at stage 1 and write some crap no one wants to read. Then, you imitate other writers and try to be better, but end up writing just okay and go through the inevitable depression that follows.

If you can resist the urge to regress back to stage 1, you just keep writing okay, fighting your way through the tears. This can last for weeks, months, or even years.

But one day, you wake up and feel the difference. The birds are singing, the sun is shining, and you get out of bed full of life. You drink your morning coffee and get to work. From now on, your fingers are only capable of typing golden wisdom and fabulous tales that will be read for centuries to come.

Which Stage Are You in Now?

So, the 3 stages of developing as a writer are:

1. The Egocentric Writer
2. The People-Pleasing Writer
3. The Authentic Writer

The Egocentric Writer has an unlimited self-confidence. They believe they are the best writer in the world. The Egocentric writer doesn't think of their readers; they believe they are so good they don't have to.

The People-Pleasing Writer goes out of their way to please their reader. Yet they only manage to write okay.

The Authentic Writer has found their Authentic Voice. At this stage, you have passionate fans and haters.

I hope this post was helpful for evaluating yourself as a writer. Have a creative day!

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