What advice would you give to those who are doubting themselves and their work?
Replies
Every writer you can think of has doubts about their craft, Kim. It comes with the territory. You only gain confidence with time and effort and a lot of error. It's like learning to do anything - even driving a car. You take all the lessons, you learn all the rules, you pass the test, but you've still got to go out there on your own, and you will make mistakes.
My advice? Nothing you write is ever wasted if you learn from it. You've got to be ready to cut out the parts that don't work - even if that means gutting something you've slaved over for weeks. There's no space for 'Well, that'll do' when your inner ear tells you otherwise. You have to trust yourself, and that only comes with practice, and plenty of it.
You are the only person who can write your novel or story or whatever; you have a unique voice, and you have to polish it to be the best it can be. They say there are only seven plots in the entire world; but there are millions of tellers of tales. What makes yours different? Why are you writing at all, if it comes to that? Because you are driven to, and you know it's the one thing you most want to do. Give it all you've got, and enjoy the process.
I've had two books published the conventional way and I still doubt myself. I think self doubt is the writer's version of a panic attack - so, totally useless and irritating then! And you know you're suffering from it when it's a vague, generalised despair. Very different to - "hmm, I wonder if this chapter needs more humour/action/character development? That's productive doubt and part of being a writer.
So, stamp on self doubt - call it bad, unprintable names. Tell it to f*** off! Then go for a walk and think about one aspect of your work that you really like. When you come, you'll be ready to work again. Well, it works for me!
Every writer you can think of has doubts about their craft, Kim. It comes with the territory. You only gain confidence with time and effort and a lot of error. It's like learning to do anything - even driving a car. You take all the lessons, you learn all the rules, you pass the test, but you've still got to go out there on your own, and you will make mistakes.
My advice? Nothing you write is ever wasted if you learn from it. You've got to be ready to cut out the parts that don't work - even if that means gutting something you've slaved over for weeks. There's no space for 'Well, that'll do' when your inner ear tells you otherwise. You have to trust yourself, and that only comes with practice, and plenty of it.
You are the only person who can write your novel or story or whatever; you have a unique voice, and you have to polish it to be the best it can be. They say there are only seven plots in the entire world; but there are millions of tellers of tales. What makes yours different? Why are you writing at all, if it comes to that? Because you are driven to, and you know it's the one thing you most want to do. Give it all you've got, and enjoy the process.
Good luck!
Lorraine
That's good advice, Miriam. I shall definitely use this when I'm having bad days.
Yes it's very different to wondering if a chapter needs something put here and there.
I think every writer will always suffer from doubt it's just part of the journey.
I've had two books published the conventional way and I still doubt myself. I think self doubt is the writer's version of a panic attack - so, totally useless and irritating then! And you know you're suffering from it when it's a vague, generalised despair. Very different to - "hmm, I wonder if this chapter needs more humour/action/character development? That's productive doubt and part of being a writer.
So, stamp on self doubt - call it bad, unprintable names. Tell it to f*** off! Then go for a walk and think about one aspect of your work that you really like. When you come, you'll be ready to work again. Well, it works for me!