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There are many things that stop me from actually writing something - procrastination is the biggest one, not having much time to do so is another. But the thing that I think is mostly holding me back?
Not thinking I'll be good enough to write something of value.
I've read quite a few books since I started this blog; mostly good, some awful. There are some truly talented authors out there who have that innate gift of storytelling. How am I to match up to that calibre? I have buckets of imagination, but do I have any real talent? I'm both untrained and untested, so I'm very much the rookie with big aspirations.
The only real way that I'll ever find out is to write something and see what happens. Last week, I wrote a pantomime for my team at work and I received unanimously positive feedback from it (though they might have just been polite). I think what I need to do for 2012 is to submit short stories to competitions, write a lot of flash fiction, and take part in collaborative writing projects (and get onto a creative writing course or writing group) to bolster both my ability and confidence. Watch this space, let's see how I go.
What do you do when you have those nagging moments of self-doubt in your ability that freeze up your writing? What's the best way to overcome it?
Be sure to check out some of the other participants below, and if you're tweeting about it, use the hashtag #IWSG to let others know.
I've spent most of 2011 in a nagging moment of self-doubt. I don't know that I'm the one to be offering any advice but I just keep plugging away, knowing that eventually I'll work through it.
ReplyDeleteYour plan for 2012 sounds like a good one. I wish you all the best with it.
I will tell you good luck! What I really want to say is, JUST DO IT!!!
ReplyDeleteI find your blogs very entertaining. I think you have a talent, but like the rest of us, we don't want just talent, we want perfection and if we don't get it, we'll feel utterly destroyed.
The only way to overcome a "fear" is to just do it. So forget those damn contests... write something and submit it!!!
Oh... and good luck. :D
For me, I have to either ignore the doubts and charge on anyway, regardless... or I have to take a short break.
ReplyDeleteYou answered your own question - you just write anyway. Crap, you've seen my writing - you can do better than that, I'm sure!
ReplyDeleteI definitely want to read a story written by you.
'Not thinking I'll be good enough to write something of value.'
ReplyDeleteDid you read Lynda Young's post, today. It was very good.
he he cutting the mustard, love the title :)
ReplyDeleteSometimes I think exactly the same thing. Is what I'm writing of an value? But I think all books have value - whether it's that it makes you think, teaches you something, or just takes you mind off things when you're having an awful day. So keep at it because you're story has value!
ReplyDeletePractice, practice, practice. That's all there is to it. The more you write the better you'll be.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I think you meant "innate" not "inane". ;)
Being a part of a writer's group was the BEST thing to keep me writing. My mentor was my drill sergeant.
ReplyDeleteI'm back in school now and the one thing that really helps me is to go back and read the positive comments my professors make about my writing. I keep a collection of them in a file so I can access them when I need them.
Join that writer's group! You'll be glad you did. Best of luck in 2012!
Jen
Wow, first of all, thank you for bringing IWSG to my attention! I will definitely be joining the blog hop.
ReplyDeleteI find a writing group is a wonderful way to improve and learn what you are doing right and wrong. I am a member of Other Worlds' Writing Workshop (an online group) and have received such good critiques my writing has improved tenfold already! They also do a couple "short story in a week" activities every year to help you with the procrastination (also an issue for me).
Allison
Geek Banter
Ah yes, procrastination is huge. It sounds obvious, but for me I either write or I don't. I rarely spend 20 minutes here and there. I'm either in the mode or not. Would love to find a balance. Good luck with your 2012 writing goals!
ReplyDeleteI have those same insecurites -- feeling I'm a hack or whatever. I just keep going.
ReplyDeleteProcrastination is in the writer's job description ... i'm pretty sure.
It's probably best not to compare ones own writing to someone elses, but to appreciate the others writing and strive to make ones own better.
ReplyDeleteKeep on writing and getting it out there. Have faith in your own abilities. Listen and learn and don't be discouraged.
Lee
Tossing It Out
Oh my goodness, I sure know how that feels. A lot of the IWSG posts have revolved around comparing ourselves to other writers. I don't know too many bigger obstacles to writing effectively. It happens to all of us, and when it does, we have to push through it and just write--for better of for worse. There are no shortcuts to being a better writer. We just have to write!
ReplyDeleteRest assured, you will cut the mustard! :)
I wish I had an answer for you, but I think you're heading in the right direction with your goals for next year. Do it Jamie, I want to read something by you before the zombies kill us all :-)
ReplyDeleteEvery writer has self doubt moments. Even wildly successful ones (stephen Brust told me he does). The way i combat it is the knowledge that it will pass. I just have to get through it and then i'll be good again. Facing it head on makes it go away all the faster
ReplyDeleteI think the best way to overcome that self-doubt is to just take a deep breath and hit "submit." It's like ripping off a band-aid. The more slowly you do it, the more it hurts.
ReplyDeleteYeah - I know this feeling really well too. I joined the Romantic Friday Writers group - an online romance writing group where you posted a flash fiction every Friday on a given prompt and then got critiqued by the rest of the group. I was a really useful experience and also mean that there were other people expecting my work to appear at a given time - which was brilliant for stopping me over-analysing - I didn't get the chance!
ReplyDeleteGo forth - write a lot and get it public ASAP
Lx
I even had a lot of self doubt before I made the decision to take my rights back from my publisher and going on my own. I still don't know if I did the right thing but I've found lots of support here online.
ReplyDeleteAll I can say about doubting your ability is this: you've read good books, and you know when you hold something of value in your hands. If you like what you've written, you should trust yourself enough to know someone else will too.
ReplyDelete