Seed of Doubt
The sensation can come at any time. You may be reading a novel and thinking how wonderful it will be when you get into print. You could be working on your latest writing project. Or, like me, you could be typing a post on something do with creative writing.
Then it hits you - the seed of doubt.
You begin to wonder why you bother with writing. Perhaps you begin thinking it’s not worth it because there’s so little a chance you’re going to get published anyway. Maybe it’s simpler for you: your seed out doubt simply says you’ll never make it.
I’ve encountered it a few times while I’ve been writing the first pages of my novel, and with it setting in so early it’s been difficult to keep writing. I keep on, though, because I know it has the potential to be a fantastic novel.
Positive affirmations may seem a bit silly when you’re actually doing them, but they can help you combat the doubt and fear that comes along with being a writer. The negative feelings may seem to come at every stage - writing, editing, querying, submissions - but every negative response should encourage you, not tear you down.
I’ve said it before, as have others, as will many others to come: You are a writer because you can’t imagine not being a writer. There are exceptions to every rule, but you are a writer because there is a passion within you to create with the written word.
Have faith. Trust in your passion. Remember love, even for writing, is a dance of give and take, and sometimes you’ll have to give more than you expected.
January 22nd, 2007 at 1:50 pm
I know what you mean. I’ve experienced way too many seeds of doubt, and I try to believe in myself whenever it happens. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn’t, but I still feel that it’s good advice.
January 22nd, 2007 at 2:38 pm
sometimes you’ll have to give more than you expected.
Very true! I still struggle with doubts but I remember than when I first got serious about writing the doubts were so much worse. The act of writing every day helps to keep my doubts at bay now.
January 22nd, 2007 at 3:21 pm
[...] Jamie at Fiction Scribe gives you words of encouragement if you’re experiencing doubt about your writing purpose. Do you get discouraged? What re-energizes your writing? [...]
January 22nd, 2007 at 5:26 pm
Cody - I’m glad it works at least some of the time. Keep the faith.
Sara - That’s a good point. Writing every day can help you work through more than just writer’s block.
January 23rd, 2007 at 9:18 am
i am in that phase now after the company i was working with ended my contract. though there have been words of encouragement from friends and colleagues, the doubt monster still nags at me.
the only solution is to just write, and hope that you keep on writing, no matter what. success and everything else eventually follows.
this is life’s rule after all.
January 23rd, 2007 at 9:24 am
“give more than expected” — yes, that’s life’s rule too.
i agree.
January 23rd, 2007 at 5:29 pm
jen - That’s hard to hear, but you have the right attitude in getting through the doubt. Best of luck to you in everything.