Writer--Believe in Yourself

 

As writers, one of our aims is to have readers believe in us. We hope they will want to come back and read more of what we have to say. Yes, writers write because they have something to say. It's important to know that our readers give us a vote of confidence. Do you have several favorite authors? Most likely, you do. When we find an author we like, we want to read more of what that writer has to say.

As important, or maybe more so, is that writers believe in themselves. Writers can have a difficult time in believing in their own ability. In today's photo quote, we're told that the bird puts her trust in her own abilities--her wings. That is what we need to do, as well. 

It's a human trait to doubt ourselves at times. Doubt creeps in for writers when their writing life doesn't go as hoped, When submissions roll back with a rejection time and again. When problems with a story plot seem unsolvable. When story ideas run dry. Whenever negatives come along, we can deflate like a pin-pricked balloon.

That's when you have to give yourself a pep talk. Make a list of the negatives and the positives in your writing life. Be honest. Don't fudge. Even the tiniest positive is worth adding to your list. Next, take a look at those positive parts of your writing life. Nice, aren't they? Focus on them. Then, look at the negatives and ask yourself what you can do to turn them into positives. No, we can't fix all of them, but there are some you can work on. 

Keep your list handy, and give a look to the positives every morning before you start writing. When you conquer one of the negatives, draw a line through it. That's progress. 

I've suggested an easy exercise in the past and will repeat it again today. Stand in front of a mirror. Say out loud, "I am a writer." Say it several times. Then believe it. One day, you will be able to stand there and say "I am a good writer." 

We all know that becoming a good writer takes time and effort, patience and perseverance. When you use all of them, you'll start believing in yourself more and more. Like the bird, you need to trust yourself. With each writing success, you're one step closer to believing in yourself. By 'success' I am not only looking at being published, instead, I'm looking at finishing a big writing project, overcoming small habits that hindered your writing ability. Little things count, and little things add up to big ones eventually.

Believe you can, and you will!