It’s time for another Insecure Writer’s Support Group Post! Doesn’t seem like it should be the first Wednesday in May but here we are …
Every writer struggles with insecurity. Each one of us has looked at their work and wanted to toss the computer out the nearest window. One way to combat that feeling is to Google “famous author rejections” and see how many times even a bestselling author was turned down before they created your favorite book or series. Publishing is pretty much a crapshoot, especially nowadays when publishers are afraid to take a chance on anything new and different. Even a decade or so ago, your favorite authos were likely turned down multiple times by publishers who didn’t care for their material, didn’t think they could sell it, or were just having a bad day. Storytelling is very much a subjective art – just because you’ve been rejected doesn’t mean you’re a failure.
Another way to regain a little confidence is to reread something you wrote years (or even decades) ago and compare it with what you’re producing now. Unless you really are a rank beginner, you’ll instantly spot how much better your writing has become. I know my own writing changes with every critique from my writing group (and with every class I take as well). Take heart and understand that it’s a neverending process.
The main idea is to think logically about your writing ability. Sure, recognize that you’re not a master of the craft – yet! – but at the same time, you’re probably not a total n00b either. Everyone can improve, even those bestselling authors (many of whom still attend writing conference workshops). If your writing isn’t up to your own standards, just vow to keep improving until you get that “yes” from a publisher.
What about you? How do you fight that insecure feeling? What are your little tricks of the trade?
Being able to improve is the best thing about writing, or any art, really. Changing like the ebb and flow of the river.
J Lenni Dorner (he/him 👨🏽 or 🧑🏽 they/them) ~ Co-host of the #AtoZchallenge, OperationAwesome6 Debut Author Interviewer, Reference& Speculative Fiction Author
Exactly! The more you learn, the more you improve!
I look back at my earlier work and cringe. I want to stick with the mantra, “Look how far I’ve come.”, but I also want to take it offline. It’s a constant internal battle. Happy IWSG!
Everybody cringes when they see what they’ve written years ago! I’m sure the bestselling authors see their bestselling work and notice mistakes they’d never make nowadays!