How to write like a Pirate, Get readers, and other inspirational crap

This title is pretty self-explanatory, and research separates the attention-seeking hacks from the lovers of the craft.

The simple truth is that you do not know everything. You can't. It isn't even possible for you to read every book in the world over the span of a single human's lifespan. So you have to choose the knowledge that will help you most. This covers "reading like a pirate", but it goes even further. If you love the craft, you will enjoy doing research into making yourself better. It's okay to love writing. It's okay to do it as a hobby, to write poetry, and stress relief and other things.

I want to make it clear that I don't look down upon people who can't write well, or who haven't dedicated their lives to writing. I'm just not a fan of people who think they can use the medium to fish for compliments. I don't hate you, I just have a distaste for the shallow act in all its forms when others are pouring their heart and soul into their craft. I can be critical, but if you are looking to better yourself I will hand you a cutlass and teach you how to swing it. If you are just looking for a gold star and attention, I'll sail passed you, or I'll expedite a cannonball to your location. I don't have time or energy to see my help and advice go to waste on people who are going to pack up and go home when they get the attention they wanted.

But to be clear, many of the things you need to know are at your fingertips on the internet. You don't have to push anything that isn't fun, but you should never be afraid to look up things you don't know. Every hour of research well spent will amplify your writing. Names, myths, legend, writing styles, word meanings.

Someone who has read one hundred books is infinitely better off than someone who has read one. Increase your vocabulary, study form, structure, grammar, other languages, and idioms. You can not break the rules until you know them. Don't be arrogant there is no reason to limit yourself by letting yourself believe that you know everything you need. Don't pretend you're perfect. Don't imagine everything you write will turn to gold. Don't accept mediocracy.

Strive to improve yourself. You don't need to sit don't and write for four hours a day to be a good author, you don't even need to write every day.

What you need is an attitude of self-betterment.

There are no truly perfect things in this world, but there is no end to things that can be made beautiful with blood, sweat, tears, and effort.

You can succeed.

But giving up on something you love is the only true failure in life.

You can do it. You can make your dreams come true. Your attitude will affect everything you do, ever. So permanently remove "I can't" for your vocabulary. Replace it with something more productive. For me it is "This is going to be an adventure" and "High Risk/High Reward". After all, if you focus on failure you'll never have any fun. Life is too short not to gamble a little for success. Life is too short to avoid chances for success. Life is full of adventure, success and failure, embarrassment and praise. They are all aspects of life. And each one can be an exciting adventure, losing a race can work for you, Embarrassing stories will make for some of the best inspiration.

If you let things stop you, then you will be stopped, it's a simple as that.

The more roadblocks you put in your own path the more times you will be stopped.

Give yourself ways to overcome the roadblocks you can't move out of the way on your own or yet. A writer experiences writer's block, an author writes flops, an athlete breaks bones, and out of all the Olympians one will come in last place. But only the best-of-the-best do not let those things stop them.

"I will never be the best, so I shouldn't try as hard" is one of the biggest traps you can fall into. Honestly, why should you care about being the best there ever was? You'll fail at everything if that's how you judge yourself. Yes, aim for the top, if you aim for the moon and only reach the sky you're much better than the guy who didn't even get out of bed that day. But don't let someone else's accomplishments dictate your success. That's no way to write and it's no way to live your life. The only person you should seriously compare yourself to is your past self. Are you better than you were yesterday, a week ago, last year, five years ago?

This is your passion, your world, your game, your story. Don't limit yourself by only using other people's measurements for success. Set your own standards, and set them in attainable ways. 

Usain Bolt who is regarded as the fastest man, but last month the guy down the street got in a wreck and is going through physical therapy just to walk again. Should he give up just because he'll never be faster than Usain Bolt? NO! Should you knowingly half-ass a story or give up halfway through because it won't be the next Harry Potter world sensation? NO!

Get out of your own way and succeed, because if you never celebrate the little victories in life then you'll never win anything.

As a pirate I chase adventure, I seek the freedom available everywhere. I sail my ship into the storm, face dangerous monsters at the edge of the map, chase after treasure, and explore the unknown. Do I do it so that I can win? Do I continue because it's easy? Do I strive knowing I'll never fail?

No. It's for the thrill of the adventure and the story of the journey. Why should I hold myself back based on someone else's standards? Why should stop because it is scary? Why should I bend to someone else's will when I can see what I want just beyond the horizon?

I don't have to. I play by my own rules. I lie, cheat, steal, and reveal in the journey. Maybe the lies are to myself by telling myself I can do it against my self-consciousness, maybe my definition of cheating is being better prepared than everyone else, maybe the things I steal are life lessons and ideas I can make better, and maybe the journey isn't always fun. But I'll show you my scars and tell you what rocks to avoid with a big shit eating grin on my face if you want to come along.

I have found what works for me. Find what works for you.

I'll say it again.

You can do it.

Because only you can stop yourself from giving up on your dreams. You are the only person who can know what you really want. You are the only person who can put the work in to make yourself better. Which means you are the only person who really lets those roadblocks stop you.

Chase your dream, jump into the storm, and know that the scars that come along with the danger will be worth it in the end.