A Word Writers Should Avoid

I dare you to pronounce the word above without using the pronunciation guide. We can all learn to say the word, but I hope none of us could have the word applied to the person we are, the writer we are.

It's a very normal response to fear not being good enough. Every new writer has moments of feeling like they aren't good enough to get published. It's not only the new writers. Seasoned writers have those fingers of fear clutching at their insides, too. Maybe not as often, but it happens. 

Some writers feel very confident that what they've written is of some merit, that their story could stand up to any other. First draft, edit, revision, another edit, final polish--yep, this is a good story. The time to submit to an editor arrives and suddenly those doubts began to assail the writer. What to do? The best choice is to submit your story and wait to see what happens. If it is rejected, that doesn't mean you're a crummy writer. Don't ever feel that way. The longer we're in the writing world, the more we become aware that not every story (or other kinds of writing) is going to get accepted on the first submission. It may take several times, and it might never be accepted. It happens to all of us now and then. Statistics show that you'll have far more rejections than acceptances over the course of your writing life.

A man who led a writing group I once belonged to said that one study showed that a writer can expect to have 1 of every 12 submissions be accepted. That's a whole lot of rejections, isn't it? Somehow, that one acceptance shines above the ones that didn't make it. That's the one you'll remember.

Multiple rejections are no reason for feeling like a failure or telling yourself you aren't good enough to make it in the writing world. Multiple rejections can definitely be a downer if you let it. It's up to you to accentuate the positives rather than the negatives in your writing journey. You're probably thinking Oh right! How easy is that? I'll be the first to admit that it's not a 'smack the ball and make a home run' kind of thing. You have to work at having that positive attitude. 

You need to remind yourself of the pluses in your writing life and it's something we all need to do on a consistent basis, not just occasionally. Learn to have faith in your own abilities. When you write something that is satisfying to you, give yourself that proverbial pat on the back. Soak up any compliment you receive from a reader or editor. Look yourself in the mirror and think I am a writer and a good one. If you don't think it, then it's doubtful others will. 

When people discuss your writing with you, don't be demure if you're paid a compliment. Accept it with a smile and a hearty thank you. I've heard writers make excuses instead. That puts a damper on you and the person you're talking to. 

Have faith in your own abilities. You wouldn't be pursuing the writing life if you had no ability to write at all. Admit that you have learned a lot but there is always more to learn. 

I saw a great poster the other day. It said Let your faith be bigger than your fear. That advice works for us as writers, too. Two 'f' words. Which one will you let be your guide in your writing life? Will it be faith in yourself or fear that you'll never be a good writer? Once again, it's up to you.

About that word, atychiphobia, don't worry about learning to pronounce it. I don't think you're going to need it.