Well, hello readers and long time no see! Here at Toad Cottage, the view was obstructed for a bit but the windows have been cleaned and the view is once again spectacular.
Today I’m participating in the writing contest: You Are Enough, hosted by Positive Writer. You can get the 411 here - Contest
YOU ARE ENOUGH
Decide who you want to be and be that. I adapted that motto from my favorite quote from one of my favorite movies “Dead Again”. Of course, that’s my motto now and I try to hold on to it even in the face of discouragement and self doubt. Have you ever felt like you’re an impostor? Like you’re not quite good enough? Like you can’t possibly be good enough at what you love to do? Okay, don’t look away and pretend that you don’t ever think those things. I know I do and I'm guessing that every other creative person does too.
Elizabeth George, best selling author, wrote in her journal after publishing TWELVE BEST SELLERS: “I’m reading John Le Carre’s The Constant Gardener right now. Frankly, it’s making me feel more inadequate than I’ve felt in a long time.” So you see, even the really good ones suffer from self doubt.
Those of us who write know that we are driven by that inner electric spark of creativity. We love being able to access that universal fountain of expression, and to translate it onto paper is like breathing. But we are all products of our history and every experience - good OR bad - helps to form our art. Every time a parent tells us that we are far too dramatic, each time a teacher told us that we weren't living up to our potential, every time a story or joke we told our friends fell flat... every single moment that something negative happened builds a part of us just as the wonderful sparkling moments do. It's a journey, and we have to embrace those times equally. Sounds easy, right? HAH! Nope, in fact it's really really really challenging to overcome what others try to tell you that you are or should be.
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be?" - Marianne Williamson
It's true that writing and publishing are two of the most challenging paths, and both are fraught with all kinds of negatives, hurdles, disappointments and downright torture! If we choose these paths, we must speak kindly to ourselves; as kindly as we would to someone else needing our support. If we don't nurture ourselves, our confidence wavers and 90% of creative success is self confidence!
"Argue for your limitations and, sure enough, they're yours." - Richard Bach
As you can probably see, I firmly believe that the antidote for wavering confidence is reading quotes from those who have gone before us. It's through their words that our spirit is strengthened. So, when that little person inside you that remembers all the times you didn't feel good enough pipes up and asks you why you should be able to finish that manuscript, or publish that book, or earn a great living through your writing - ask it instead 'Why shouldn't you?' And then.....
* Each morning when you get up, tell yourself that yesterday does not define you. Every morning is the first day of your new life.
* Learn all you can about writing, researching, writing query letters, and even pitching your ideas. Go to conferences, take classes and workshops, chat with other writers. There are many online workshops and webinars that don't cost a thing and are fabulously inspiring/informative so take them. Knowledge is power.
* Make sure you look often at your successes whether it's a winning story, an award, an article you may have had published, or even just a darned good letter. Concentrate on the sunny side.
* Practice every day. Some say that a writer has to write every day, but I don't subscribe to that. If you write, you're a writer. So write, whether it's hourly, daily, weekly or biweekly. Write, write, and write some more. If there's a day when you can't get started, write your name. Then write a sentence. Then a paragraph. I tell my writing students that everyone can write. If you can talk, you can tell a story. If you can tell a story, you can write a story. So, just write.
* Stay connected to a community. I am constantly buoyed by my writing "peeps". When I'm down, they lift me up and when one of them is down, I am blessed to lift them up. Loneliness is a downward spiral, so take comfort in commiserating with your Village. Also share your work with other writers. While this part is pretty hard, it can be quite confidence building. The support and encouragement of other creative minds is very inspiring.
* Read. Read anything and everything, but read everything you can in the genre and style you want to write. Libraries are magical places.
* Write something. Start a project and finish it. It doesn't have to be great because nothing is ever perfect, but finishing something is very satisfying.
And finally, be your own cheerleader. Let no one define you but you. Now, go write. ❤❤❤
