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Former Chicago Tribune sports writer Melissa Isaacson recently started her own Web site with a blog. She was among the 53 people cut from the Tribune during another round of layoffs there April 22.

Isaacson just won a Lisagor Award last week from the Chicago Headline Club for her remarkable story about losing both her parents to Alzheimer's.

After reading several of Isaacson's posts I began wondering why the heck I'm even bothering. Then I remembered something I came across the other day. I can't find the exact passage, but it had to do with writers letting go of their insecurities about their work. It can be crippling to think about the many great writers out there and realize you are not among them. No matter what you write, or how good you think you are, you always come across somebody whose work you feel is better.

But that doesn't mean you shouldn't write. Each person writes for their own reasons. Some are just better at certain aspects than others. Find your strengths and utilize them. Find your weaknesses and improve them.

So go check out Isaacson's site if you're interested.