Updated on October 11, 2026
Why rereading my old books taught me how much I have grown, and the two pieces of advice I give every new writer who is struggling to find their voice.
Photo by Yannick Pulver on Unsplash.
Key takeaways
Rereading old work is uncomfortable, but it shows how far your craft and your life have come.
Live a life worth writing about: experience is the raw material of good writing.
Keep writing even when it feels terrible. Your voice is built through consistency.
Great writing comes from rewriting, and from living more when the words won't come.
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Why Sharing Your Writing Feels So Vulnerable
Being an author can be a challenging undertaking that leaves you vulnerable if you are truly honest with your words. I wish I could remember where I read it, but I remember reading once that the job of the artist is difficult because you bare your soul to the world only to be judged.
Though strangers often judge one's writing, I often find myself judging my past work. It is a habit I need to stop, because I should be proud of how my craft has evolved throughout the years. When I read some of the writing I produced in my earlier years as an author, I find pieces that I still love and others that don’t feel like me at all. Sometimes it even feels like someone else wrote some of my books.
What Rereading Your Old Writing Teaches You
For a long time, I avoided reading my past works. Every once in a while, though, I take some moments to go back and read the voice of my younger years to remind myself how much I've grown, not only in my writing but also as a person.
I have always told myself that I want to write so that I can leave a record of my life and the lessons I have learned along the way, and pass them along to those who come after me. Seeing my growth through my writing reminds me that I am slowly but surely achieving that goal. I know it will be an emotional and exciting day whenever my daughter, future kids, and grandkids read my words for the first time and ask me about them.
Live a Life Worth Writing About
Throughout all my stories and experiences, I have guided my life through one major principle:
“Live a life worth writing about, and inspire others to do the same.”
I have traveled across the United States and visited multiple other countries. I served in the Marine Corps for five years. I married a kind and beautiful woman. And now, I am on a new journey, serving as a Police Detective. My life has felt like an adventure because I've lived it intentionally in a way that lets me serve others, and those experiences have inspired much of my writing. You can read more of that journey in my story.
That principle is behind my poetry collection Salvation: Poems on Finding Love Again, which holds some of my most intimate and honest poems. I could not have written it if I hadn't kept writing every day, or if I had given up on myself after judging my earlier work too harshly.
Writing Advice for New Writers
1. Keep writing, even when you think it's terrible
It's a cliché, but it holds. Nobody prepares for a marathon in a day. It takes consistent work, and it pays off in the long run (no pun intended). It takes time to find your unique voice. If you are stuck, my free guide, 15 Ways to Overcome Writer's Block, can help you get moving again.
2. Be a great rewriter
Years ago, I watched the movie Stuck in Love. I can't remember everything it was about, but one character's line stayed with me: "I am not a great writer. I am a great rewriter." He wasn't great at pulling ideas out of thin air. He was great at drawing on his life experiences and deciding they were worth writing about.
3. If inspiration is gone, go live a little more
A writer is the sum of his experiences, the good and the bad. If you're having trouble finding inspiration, find something you love doing. Find somewhere new to travel. Find someone to love deeply. Forget writing for writing's sake; the right words will come. For more on why this matters, read Poetry Will Change Your Life Forever.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do new writers find their voice?
By writing consistently and drawing on their own experiences. Your voice emerges over months and years of practice, not in a single draft.
Is it normal to dislike your old writing?
Yes. Disliking earlier work usually means your craft has grown. Reread it as a record of progress, not a verdict on your talent.
What should I do when I have no inspiration to write?
Step away from the page and live: travel, do something you love, and spend time with people you care about. New experiences give you new material.
Free Resources for Writers
If you are struggling to find your voice, I offer free resources when you join my newsletter, plus a short course built on a decade of poetry writing. See below:
Discover your voice as a unique poet! Learn to write impactful poetry using effective strategies to find inspiration and craft evocative imagery.
Salvation: Poems on Finding Love Again
More than a book of poetry, it is a beacon of hope for anyone yearning to heal and love again, whether you are mending a broken heart or celebrating a newfound love.
About the author
Pablo Camacho is a Puerto Rican poet and United States Marine Corps veteran. His collection, Bittersweet, won the 2023 Pencraft Award for Literary Excellence, and his Spanish collections Paraíso and Amor gitano received Honorable Mentions at the 2024 International Latino Book Awards.