The quote in today's poster is filled with very few, but very wise words. A simple bit of advice to writers, whether newbies or seasoned. Sylvia Plath was a complicated, but talented, poet and novelist who took her own life at an early age. Perhaps she struggled with self-doubt herself, which is why she spoke about what it brings to the writer.
Self-doubt in a writer is like an open wound that grows worse without treatment. How in the world does one treat a problem like self-doubt? It can become a mental block that might grow to gigantic proportions.
Become a positive thinker. You might have to force yourself to find and dwell on the positives in your writing life. Even so, it's something to work on. Make it a morning habit to list the positives in your life as you begin your day, or last thing at night. Be fair to yourself rather than look for negatives first. There are definitely positive things in every writer's life. We all have days when it is hard to find one, but it can be done.
Admit to your self-doubt. Trying to avoid it will not be helpful at all. It's a problem some writers have, and the sooner it's faced, the quicker it can be either lessened or overcome.
There is no need to compare yourself to others. We are all individuals. We work at different levels, at a different pace, and with different goals in mind. You're not Sylvia Plath or John Grisham or Stephen King. You are a company of one, and your writing is yours, no one else's.
Have a friend you can lean on occasionally. It's helpful to be able to talk about your cares and woes in your writing life to another writer. They are people who have a better understanding of your plight. Don't use this person as a crutch, however. Plus, they might not want to listen to what you have to say every day of the week. Now and then? Fine.
Self-respect has a lot to do with how you feel about your writing world self. Remind yourself now and then about the many good things in your writing life. No writer has everything awful or all wonderful. Dwell more on the positives than the negatives.
If you can handle any self-doubt you have, your creative side will have a chance to emerge and flourish.
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