Writing Wednesday
On Wednesdays I like to share information I picked up along my journey to being published, marketing my first book, editing and preparing to be published again. Information that I wish someone would have shared with me, back then…
If you like the information I hope you will share it!
Writing Past Insecurities
Do your palms get sweaty when someone ask if they can read what you are working on, does the thought of submitting a query letter to an agent give you insomnia, have you been polishing a novel for three years, how about the fear of rejection does that make you nauseous? Or worse yet what if nobody wants to read your work.
Every creative soul is at one time or another, in their life plagued with insecurities. It isn’t always a bad thing. If we didn’t fear failure would our writing be any good? It would be boring and uninspired.
Confidence and fear live together in our heads and we need to get along with both of them. Fear fuels our creativity.
It’s when those insecurities prevent us from moving forward, submitting our work or even cause us to give up writing altogether that we need to make some changes. It makes sense to be afraid to cross railroad tracks when we see a train coming- it makes no sense to be afraid to submit an article to a magazine, a book to an agent or a guest post to another blogger.
Try writing down the answers to these questions:
- If you could not be afraid of anything for twenty-four-hours what would you do?
- What specifically are you afraid of when it comes to your writing?
- What is the worst thing that can happen when it comes to your writing?
- What is the absolute best, dream quality thing that you can imagine happening regarding your writing?
- What would you tell another writer, a friend who was feeling insecure about their writing skills?
Has something specific happened to damage your confidence? Your writing will never, ever be liked by everyone. If you want to be a writer there is no way around rejection. It happens and it happens often. I received 93 rejection letters for Bristol boyz Stomp, fifteen requests for partial reads, nine-requests for full reads and six offers.
A few months ago I submitted (donated) a short story for an anthology. The letter I received said my writing wasn’t quite ready for publishing. My feelings were hurt for two-minutes and I resubmitted the story to a magazine and they bought it.
What can you do to keep your insecurities from becoming unhealthy?
Do not compare yourself to other writers, ever.
Being prepared is a great way to keep insecurities in check. Work comfortable, have everything you need when you sit down to write, pens, paper, research information and of course coffee, tea or snacks.
When you look better, you always feel better.
Friend supportive, kind people and be a supportive kind friend.
Don’t over think your writing but learn your craft. Join writers groups, attend conferences and workshops.
25 thoughts on “Writing Wednesday/Writing Past Insecurities”
Your preview says it’s Friday Fragments, so I got confused! Happy Wednesday and thanks for another good piece of advice. Actually, a few!
Thank you Carol. That preview drives me nuts!
Were your ears burning when I wrote my post about freedom from fear? I have been talking and talking and TALKING about getting started on writing my book. Too busy, gotta make $$ so don’t have time. I love this post, Doreen. Perfect timing for me!
I think it’s time for you to write that book. I have no doubt it will be great.
As always, great advice and perfectly on time for me. Your post is what I needed today to get me out of my slump! Thank you.
Insecurities seem to be going around. Good luck !
Thank you Mary. I hope your slump is history.
I always appreciate good quotes and love these. thanks much!
I seem to be a quote collector. I love them too!
Spot on! Comparison kills your confidence. Love your advice about looking good, too. I work from home and could wear jammies all day but find I do my best work when dressed. (Make up applied is another story.)
LOL..Those work at home days in jammies are heaven!
So good, and such good timing! Seems that the universe and you knew exactly what I need to hear today. Thank you!
Thank you. I needed it too!
All sound advice, much of which I do apply. And you are so right, we can never appeal to everyone! I absolutely LOVE that last quote about the bird and have written it down. Great post!
I love that one too!
Perfect timng for me as I power through NaNoWriMo. I am fascinated that you got 93 rejections for BBS and ended up getting six offers! Will you write about this sometime? I would love to hear more about that process and how you kept going.
I will write more about that in the near future.
You’re right about fear being a motivator. Though I’ve always known this was true, I don’t think I have every really framed it that way!
It sure is and its true when you face your fears or write them down the fears do lose their power.
Great post. Writing is definitely not a profession for the thin-skinned!
Thank you Lois, thick skin is definitely needed!
Love your writing posts, Doreen. Always so inspiring!
Thank you so much Linda.
Such a helpful thing to read, Doreen. I always need to be reminded to push past the fear and keep on writing. Because, really, what’s the worst thing that can happen? So many times we sacrifice our potential blessings to our fears. I think the only thing that truly puts fear into its place is experience…noticing that you didn’t die with every step forward you take.
Thank you so much Angela. It isn’t always easy but we have to keep taking those steps.