Six Tips To Boost Self-confidence in Writing

No writer ever deals with self-doubt. Right? Wrong! It's one of the most common hazards we face as writers. It comes and goes like a breeze off the ocean. We face it; we think we have it conquered, and there it comes again. Even writers who are highly successful deal with self-doubt. They worry that the next book will not be as good as the one that just hit the Bestseller List.

There are ways to build your self-confidence in your writing world. They're not difficult but take time and some dedication on your part.

1. Learn as much as you can about reading. The more you know and understand, the easier it will be to continue writing. As you gain more knowledge of the intricacies of the craft, you'll be more comfortable. You'll feel more able to plunge into your writing with an assured feeling.
2. Read everything you can about the craft. This goes hand in hand with #1. There are huge numbers of books about writing at your bookstore, online, and in your library. Read them! They were written by successful writers who have important knowledge to pass on. Build your own reference library by purchasing the books you find most helpful. 
3. Practice writing in every spare minute you have. We know that practice increases skill. We know it, but we don't always do it Those writing exercises that I offer (and so do others) are meant to give you practice, to refine your skills, and to increase writing output. Also to help with inspiration and creativity. Wow! Look at all a writing exercise can do. It's a shame that so many writers skip right on by, don't give them a try. 
4. Be brave about showing your work to others. Letting others see our work means we are opening ourselves to criticism. That's perfectly alright. We learn from the critiques of others. What they tell us helps us refine our writing, revise and edit it with strength. 
5. Submit your work. Writing multiple stories and essays and then doing nothing with them doesn't help your writing journey. It keeps you stuck on that mile marker that is labeled 'Files.' You cannot be published if you do not submit your writing. Scary as it is, it's the best way to learn what works for you and what doesn't.
6. Consider your publishing successes. Each and every one should build up your confidence for your next writing project. 

If you do all of the above, your self-confidence will increase. Maybe not overnight. After all, the list above are things that need to be ongoing, not just for a month or two. Anyone who thinks the only part about writing that is important is the writing itself has a lot to learn. 

Ever have a mental chat with yourself about your self-confidence? Try it sometime. For every doubt you have, find an answer to boost yourself a rung higher. Ask yourself questions like 

• How great is my desire to write?
• Do I put enough effort into my writing?
• Am I willing to work harder than I do now?
• Can I show my work to others without over-worrying?
• Do I learn from rejections received?
• Do I ever use lack of self-confidence as an excuse for not writing? 

That list could grow longer and longer, but if you can put a positive spin on your answers, it will also boost your self-confidence. Answer to each one negatively, and you'll lose a lot of creativity, just as the poster quote today tells us.

Will you be able to erase self-doubt completely? Not really. You can certainly help make it better, but it's going to rear up and bite you off and on. The biggest hope is that it is temporary and that you will be able to stomp on it and move on. Once again, you are in control. I can read a story you wrote and tell you how much I like it, and that's a confidence booster, but it's mostly up to you, the writer. 

Connect With Other Writers

The photo above has nothing to do with today's topic. In these cold, often dreary, January days, we can use something to cheer us a bit. Those delicate peach roses give me hope that spring will come once again. 

I've recently joined an online group for women writers. This one is different from my main critiquing group. It's more of a place for women in mid-life and older to connect with one another. It started with an invitation through a newsletter. Those who opted to sign on were asked to introduce themselves, give a short bio and tell the others what they wanted from the group. The big question was Why did you join this group?

When I read the answers, the keyword seemed to be connect. These women wanted someone in their own age group to link their writing lives, to chat, to commiserate, to ask for help when stuck on a project and more. Mid-life women responded but so did a few seniors like me. We were warmly welcomed.

Many nonwriters think of writing as a solitary pursuit. When we're at the computer, or with pad and pen, it is a one-person activity. We can spend hours per day all alone with our thoughts and words and getting them into a readable form. Maybe that's why it is also important for writers to unite with other writers. 

Isn't it nice to ask another writer for an opinion on what you/ve written, or how you plan to approach an editor or ways to promote your just-published book? Isn't it nice to cry on the shoulder of another writer when things are going every which way but right? That old cliche 'misery loves company' can apply in this case. 

There are some writers who say they'd like to connect with other writers, but they aren't very good in social situations. I hear things like I only listen when I'm in a group of writers. I don't feel like I have anything to offer other writers. I'm a shy person. We're not all chatty people. In an online group, it might be easier to offer an opinion. Even physically speaking, it is easier to participate in a group online rather than driving some distance to gather at a time convenient for all, perhaps to arrange for another parent to pick kids up from school and more. 

There has been a lot of activity in this new group, but I think that will slow down once everyone has introduced themself and given their reasons for joining. This week, we were given a prompt, and I noticed that only a handful responded to that. I'm fine with that, as I don't want my inbox overwhelmed with messages from one group

As time goes on, I can assess what I am receiving and what I'm offering. Many years ago, I was the moderator of a group of people who wanted to write for children. It started out fine, but it ended up that I was almost the only one bringing something to read to the group and helping them find places to learn more about writing for children. I never mind giving to others, but when I am getting nothing in return, it didn't sit well. The group dissolved which was too bad as there were people in it who had the potential to write publishable children's books, stories or articles.

I do urge you to connect with other writers in a face to face critique group, an online group, or a local, state or national organization for writers. If you feel you are not benefiting, it's quite easy to step aside. I do hope you won't because there are definite benefits to connecting with other writers.