Believe In Yourself As A Writer

Have you ever tried to write like someone else? Maybe there's an author whose work you especially enjoy. You might close one of his/her books and think I want to write just like her/him. I'd advise you not to try it. You don't want that old childhood taunt tossed at you. You know the one--Copycat!

We should strive to write as individuals. We each have a separate 'voice' that is ours alone when we write. You might think John Grisham delivers great mystery novels. He does, but his voice is not yours. Nor should you try to make your mystery stories sound like his. 

There is nothing wrong in trying to write as well as John Grisham, just don't attempt to sound like him. Maybe you love novels by Rosamunde Pilcher (I do!) but she has her own style and you don't want to copy it. Instead, determine your own style.

When writers do the copycat mode, it's often because they don't believe in themselves enough to strike out and create their own voice. You want your own personality, your beliefs, your attitudes to shine through the words you write. Your voice also comes through in the way in which you use syntax, diction, punctuation and more. 

If you're a writer trying to earn a living or supplement your income, you must believe in what you're doing or it isn't going t work very well. If you are the one person in your family who wants to write the stories that are pertinent to your immediate and extended family, you must believe that you can do the job. With either type of writing, having the desire and believing in yourself is important. 

There are times when you might need to give yourself a little pep talk as a reminder that you are a writer and you believe in what you are doing. We can't only say it, we must accept ourselves as writers, too. 

Remember this--doubt creeps into the lives of nearly every writer at some time. Remind yourself of your successes and your strengths and sweep Mr. Doubt right out of your life. Most likely, he will come knocking at your door again someday. The more you believe in yourself as a writer, the easy it will be not to answer the door. Keep Mr. Doubt standing on the porch.

Believe in yourself enough to enjoy the writing of others but create your own style and stay with it.