When Writers Doubt Themselves

Most writers live on an emotional roller coaster. They're up! They're down! Which place you are depends on whether your email box brings you rejections or acceptances. We hit the highs and lows day after day in our writing life. 

Too few acceptances or hating what you've written and Mr. Doubt moves into your house. He's there when you write. He's sitting on your countertop when you are preparing dinner for yourself or your family. He follows along behind you at the grocery store or in the mall. That's him running beside you on your morning run. Oh, he doesn't always say something to you but he lets his presence be known. You might have your mind on a dozen things tomorrow morning but Mr. Doubt is still your companion. 

You're the only one who can show this nasty person the door. Had Lady Macbeth been a writer, she might have shouted Out, out, damned Doubt!" Ok, I know that's a bad example but it popped into my mind so thought I'd go with it. The thing is that it's up to you to get rid of the doubt in your writing life. 

How? Today's poster gives you four ways you can approach the problem.

• Remember how far you've come from the day you started writing
• Remember all that you have faced in your writing world
• Remember the battles you've won and how you did it
• Remember the fears you've overcome and the good feeling you then had

Four ways to solve the self-doubt problem. You might create a list under each heading and add to it as you think of more points. Keep your list somewhere visible. When we're filled with self-doubt, we need all the reminders we can get. 

Mr. Doubt is not going to vanish in one day. The more you believe in yourself, the less you'll hear from him. Once you conquer the problem, he'll be out the door. But be careful. He may wait right outside hoping you will slide back again. Stay strong and ignore him. 

When the rejections pile is higher than the acceptances, it's hard to stay positive and ignore Mr. Doubt. We have all been there. This is where passion for writing comes in. Renew your passion in every way you can. Writers have great possiblities, despite the roller coaster ride we live on. Keep your eye on the highs, not the lows.