Showing posts with label self-confidence for writers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label self-confidence for writers. Show all posts

Wednesday, September 30, 2020

Cycling Down the Writing Road

 


The advice in today's poster is meant for all, but writers can most certainly relate to it. If we dwell on the problems we encountered on our writing journey in the past, the view of what lies ahead becomes more and more cloudy. We can't see the future if we cling too strongly to the past. 

The road ahead will give us hope if we have 'faith in what can be' as the ending line of the poster tells us. We can achieve that by fostering a positive attitude and by leaving the past in the past. 

The more we write, the better writer we become. That's true in most cases, not every single one. There's always the unusual situation for a few writers. For the majority, writing something every day will help them become stronger writers, ones who have learned what the tools of our craft are and use them.

If you are busy writing every day and learning more about the art of writing, you should be able to put those unfortunate problems of the past behind you. Rejection is difficult to pass off as though it was no big deal. Anyone who has had their writing rejected once or a hundred times knows that it IS a big deal. No one enjoys being told they didn't measure up to what an editor is looking for. The key here is to let yourself be disappointed right at first, then move on. It's those who cannot move on who become dejected enough to dwell on the rejections. Not a good thing to do.

Anyone who wants to be a writer must know that rejection is a big part of this craft. Make the decision early on that it is going to happen and you will not let it get you down for more than a very short time. Also, make up your mind that a rejection is a learning experience. You should be able to take away something positive that you can apply to your next submissions.

Faith in yourself will take you a long way down the writing path. Self-confidence in your abilities is another way to phrase the same idea. Practice telling yourself all the positives in your writing life. Let the positives send you on a smoother road to your writing goals. 



Friday, January 2, 2015

Get Rid of Donnie Doubt, Freddie Frustration and Aggie Aggravation!


If there is a list of traits needed to be a writer, I think the last line in the quote above should be the headliner. 

Always believe in yourself. Four simple words that can carry you on your writing journey forever. 

It sounds so easy to believe in yourself but outside factors move in and create problems. Donnie Doubt may cross your path on a frequent basis. He makes us wonder if we're good enough to get published. He points his finger and asks "Are you sure you can do this?" 

Freddie Frustration comes to call now and then making it hard to believe in yourself. Every time you submit your work and it comes rolling back with a NO, Freddie claps his hands in glee. "Told you so," he crows at you. 

Aggie Agravation drops in to visit once in awhile. She makes sure there are just enough glitches in your writing life that you step back from believing in yourself. "Take that," she says as she tosses a dart in your path.

Your job is to sweep these three right out of your life. Each time one comes to call, close your ears and your eyes and send them out the door. Be like the bird in our quote. Rely on your own wings. Know that you are the one person in control. Doubt, frustration and aggravation are only blips on the radar screen. Listen to yourself, not them. 

Always believe in yourself doesen't mean that your writing life will be stress-free. Far from it as there are always ups and downs. It does mean that you can handle whatever comes yoru way. That you can meet the down parts with strength and determination and move on. 

Make 2015 a writing year in which you Always believe in yourself. If you do, others will believe in you, too. 

A Memoir to Enjoy

  I recently read a book that I enjoyed so much that I wanted to share it with others.  Kenneth Goetz offers us his memoir titled A Streak o...