Writers, Toss Out Mr. Doubt

I just now read a piece by an academic who has published many articles. She had decided to try writing a personal essay while attending a writing group class in Italy. She was so new to this kind of writing that she was truly shaken by it. Heeding the encouragement of the members of the class, she wrote the essay, found a top magazine that she wanted to submit to, and pushed Send. 

Like many of us, once she'd pushed that Send button, she got a little nervous. 'What have I done?' was her first thought. 

The writer was experienced in writing in her academic field, but writing about a personal experience was quite different. If scared her. It's a feeling many of us have shared. Sometimes, Mr. Doubt moves into our writing area, pulls up a chair, and commences to bug us. The sad thing is we often let him stay. 

It's important that a writer believes in him/herself. If not, how can they expect others to believe in their work? Others like editors, and then Readers. 

Consider the woman I wrote about above. Yes, she was writing in a different genre, but if she had the ability to have many academic articles published, she was capable of moving to a different style of writing. She needed to have had a heart to heart talk with herself.

This is what she might have told herself. "You're not a brand new writer. You've done this writing gig a great many times, and you've had success in publishing many articles in your field. You know the method, you know the tools of the craft, you know the submission process. If you can do all that, you can write in a different genre and be successful." 

The key would be for her to believe what she's saying. To believe in herself. To believe that she can find some success in a different field. The fact that she's already a published writer should be a big factor in the way she thinks of herself as a writer. 

So, what happened to the essay she sent to a top magazine? Within an hour, she received a reply and acceptance. Most likely because her topic was of great interest with what is going on in the Middle East right now. What if she had not hit Send? What if her belief in herself failed totally? Happily, she overcame her doubt and hit that important button to zip her essay to the editor. Most likely, she'll be sending Mr. Doubt right out the door, slamming it shut after him. 

Today's poster quoting Theodore Roosevelt fits quite well here. "Believe you can, and you're halfway there." Remember to accentuate the positives in your writing life, and keep moving on. 

 

Writers Must Believe in Themselves

 

As many of you know, I am a big Kansas State University football fan. This season, the team offered us all a lesson in believing in yourself. They were picked to finish fifth out of ten teams in the Big 12 Conference. They lost a nonconference game to Tulane, and the fans mumbled and grumbled.

They lost two more games in conference play. The team also had some good wins, beating top teams. They ended up #2 in the conference and played in the Big 12 Championship game this past Saturday vs the #1 team in the conference, TCU. 

Article after article pointed out that this K-State team believed in themselves. They beleived they could be conference champions despite three losses in the full season. 'Believe' was a word they spoke over and over, and one they saw on signs in the locker room. That belief carried them to victory on Saturday, beating #1 TCU in overtime 31-28. Our team came home the victors after a hard fought battle. TCU didn't win the conference title, but they will play as one of the top four teams in the nation in a few weeks. 

So, what's all this football tak on a blog about writing? It's one word. Believe. Every writer must find a way to believe in their ability to write, to submit, to be published. Teddy Roosevelt is quoted on today's photo. 'Believe you can and you're halfway there.' 

It's not an easy task to merely say you believe in yourself; it's something you must work at. The K-State team believed, but they were a big group who held one another up in believing. You, as a writer, are a team of one. You are the person who must be the believer. You must assume the idea that you will be a published writer someday. Or, if you are already published, that it will happen again. 

To believe in yourself is to have a positive attitude. No shooting yourself down when a rejection pops up. Believe that you can submit elsewhere and perhaps have success. Believe that you can make some revisions to have a better piece of writing. Believe that you will continue to learn your craft and become a stronger writer. 

Several times I've suggested a simple exercise for writers to do. Stand in front of a mirror and keep repeating a phrase like 'I am a writer.' 'I am a good wirter.' Now try using the phrase 'I believe in myself.' Say it until it becomes fact. Do it several times each day until you can claim it as truth. 

There is so much more to writing that putting words on paper or a screen. Believing in yourself as a writer is only one of many. 

Believe In Yourself As A Writer

Have you ever tried to write like someone else? Maybe there's an author whose work you especially enjoy. You might close one of his/her books and think I want to write just like her/him. I'd advise you not to try it. You don't want that old childhood taunt tossed at you. You know the one--Copycat!

We should strive to write as individuals. We each have a separate 'voice' that is ours alone when we write. You might think John Grisham delivers great mystery novels. He does, but his voice is not yours. Nor should you try to make your mystery stories sound like his. 

There is nothing wrong in trying to write as well as John Grisham, just don't attempt to sound like him. Maybe you love novels by Rosamunde Pilcher (I do!) but she has her own style and you don't want to copy it. Instead, determine your own style.

When writers do the copycat mode, it's often because they don't believe in themselves enough to strike out and create their own voice. You want your own personality, your beliefs, your attitudes to shine through the words you write. Your voice also comes through in the way in which you use syntax, diction, punctuation and more. 

If you're a writer trying to earn a living or supplement your income, you must believe in what you're doing or it isn't going t work very well. If you are the one person in your family who wants to write the stories that are pertinent to your immediate and extended family, you must believe that you can do the job. With either type of writing, having the desire and believing in yourself is important. 

There are times when you might need to give yourself a little pep talk as a reminder that you are a writer and you believe in what you are doing. We can't only say it, we must accept ourselves as writers, too. 

Remember this--doubt creeps into the lives of nearly every writer at some time. Remind yourself of your successes and your strengths and sweep Mr. Doubt right out of your life. Most likely, he will come knocking at your door again someday. The more you believe in yourself as a writer, the easy it will be not to answer the door. Keep Mr. Doubt standing on the porch.

Believe in yourself enough to enjoy the writing of others but create your own style and stay with it.