Write like Taylor Swift Dances

By now, you've probably seen the Vine of Taylor Swift dancing at the Grammy's while Pharrell gives her some non-plussed side eye.

No matter what you think about Taylor's music, you have to respect her complete disregard for what other people think about her.

This isn't the first time she's been moved by the groove. When the music hits and she's feeling it, Taylor cuts a rug wherever she is and doesn't worry that the "haters gonna hate, hate, hate". See what I did there.

She doesn't wait for everyone else to get up and boogie. She's just "Hey, I'm an awkward, slightly gangly white girl and I'm about to get down."

So, how does that apply to us as writers?

We cannot wait for other people to give us approval to do what we love. When the English teacher or literary critic wants to give you side eye for writing amish vampire space opera (yes, that's a real thing), ignore them and get down with your bad self.

Taylor stays true to who she is, both as a person and an artist, and her fans respect her for it. Your work as an author needs to be the same. Write what makes you happy and then find the readers who enjoy what makes you happy.

I realize this can be easier said than done for some of us. Some people (raising my hand) are just born with a big "I don't care what you think of me" button. Writers tend to be on the opposite end of that spectrum, but we don't have to be. There is a freedom in being able to say that you don't give a rat's patootie about someone else's opinion.

A word of caution: there is a big difference between having the confidence to ignore what other people think and demeaning other people's opinions. The love has to work both ways, and that means accepting criticism as valid.

But just because an opinion is valid doesn't mean you have to let it impact you. So take the love and the one-star reviews. Embrace them for what they are. Be yourself without fear.

And when someone gives you the side eye...