I feel that I have become more concise with my writing, choosing my verbiage carefully to make the most impact. I still struggle with "Show, don't tell." but I am getting better about it.
No, because I believed your "work" was something you did to make money, but that you didn't enjoy. I have always LOVED writing and enjoyed spending time doing it. It was more like a dream for me.
I have done that a lot. I've incorporated bits and pieces of things I have learned, or studied, or loved. I have used places I've been and know well. I have also given character personality traits, mine or someone else's, so that they are more realistic and believable.
Sometimes I do read them, sometimes I don't. I deal with them both the same way; I thank the reviewer for their time and consideration. Good or bad, the review will help me to hone my craft further.
I've been writing all of my life. I moved a lot throughout all of my school-aged years, and reading or writing was an escape for me. I didn't consider actually publishing until a literary friend of mine nudged me to do so in 2021. I still have manuscripts from a dozen years ago I haven't published yet.
Balance. Take breaks, find a support group, and enjoy the writing process. If it feels like "work," you're doing too much at once. Supportive friends help to remove the fear and anxiety, and help to keep us accountable. Lean on them.
