It's time for another gathering of the Insecure Writer's Support Group! The ever enigmatic Ninja Captain Alex J. Cavanaugh founded this successful group, and he has another eager group of minions helping him out this month. They are Mark Koopmans, Joylene Nowell Butler, Elsie, and Lisa Buie-Collard. Being a minion is no easy task, so let's give them a hand for being awesome!
See what I did there? I gave them an actual hand. Okay, okay. I know it's not funny after I explain it (assuming it was ever funny at all), so I should probably learn when to leave well enough alone.
Anyway, you can also check out the IWSG website! It's a cool site full of resources for writers, and you can also find plenty of support from your fellow writers that struggle with the same insecurities that you do.
This month I'm struggling with self-doubt. At least, I'm struggling with self-doubt as I write this post. I hope it doesn't last the entire month. Yikes! As I approach the end of the story I'm currently working on, I'm second guessing every choice I've made about it. Logically speaking, I know that I frequently feel this anxiety as I reach the end of any project, so I shouldn't let it get to me. I will continue to push forward, because at the end of the day, I believe in the story I'm telling. I need also to believe in myself and my ability to tell the story that I'm aching to tell.
We all have moments of self-doubt. Even the most famous among us, those who seem to radiate confidence, have admitted to moments of self-doubt. I must admit that this makes me feel better. If successful people have struggled with that kind of insecurity, that must mean that it's possible to overcome it.
When do you feel self-doubt? Do you think it's healthy and necessary to doubt ourselves and our choices from time to time? How do you move past your doubts when they threaten to overwhelm you?
Self-doubt is definitely normal, and part of the process. I feel self-doubt every single day my books are out in the world for people to read/judge. But, I love writing too much to let it stop me! :D
ReplyDeleteThe self doubt is quite useful when it comes to the editing part, but it can be annoying during the first draft.
ReplyDeleteJust keep writing. You can always go back and fix later, right?
ReplyDeleteSelf doubt? Heck yeah...every time I publish something! We just keep on pushing through. Not sure it will ever go away completely.
ReplyDeleteD.B. McNicol
Romance & Mystery...writing my life
I tend to feel self doubt quite a lot - I think it comes in the job description of being a writer. I try to push through it, because I know it won't last.
ReplyDeleteI feel self-doubt anytime I'm working through how to fix an element of my story. It's scary and frustrating, but it does pass. Sorry you're feeling this way at the moment, but inspiration will strike or a page/scene/paragraph will glitter so brightly that your heart lifts again. In the meantime, chocolate. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat IWSG post!
I feel like as writers, we find ourselves having dinner with Mr. Self-Doubt too often, but it's common. I'm doubting myself right now about my self-published book and it not being good enough. I doubt the book I just wrote has anything good in it.
ReplyDeleteYou'll make it through. :) Grab some chocolate and tell yourself that you can do it. ;)
Self doubt is like anger; it keeps us questioning and refocusing. Sometimes though, you gotta say to yourself that all is well, and let go. Finding balance is the key.
ReplyDeleteWhen do I feel self doubt? Pretty much every waking hour of every day for the past 49 years, 2 months, and 23 days. (I was born February 15, 1965.)
ReplyDeleteI think that being full of confidence may be overrated. There are plenty of overconfident people who have no reason to be. A little humility keeps us in check.
Maybe I'm a bit of a curmudgeon, though.
Just remember, you're every bit as good as anyone else, and unlike all too many people these days, you're nice. Which actually makes you a better caliber of person. Don't let it go to your head, though! ;-)
Only joking with the "don't let it go to your head" bit. In all seriousness, you have every reason to believe that you're good enough to accomplish what you want to do.
Self doubt can be healthy because it means we are always pushing for ways to make things better, but the trick is not to let it consume you. It's about letting that other voice speak up too, the one that says you're an incredible writer and you do have the skills to do this. All the best for pushing on to the end of your story.
ReplyDeleteDoubts can creep in whenever we're not sure which direction to take, in life or in writing. I know you'll find the way, though. ;)
ReplyDeleteHi, L.G.
ReplyDeleteI guess self doubt is the rule rather than the exception for writers. Although I have a few books under my belt, I have doubts with each book I publish. Rather than think about those fans who like my book, I think about the ones who might hate it. I also think about my storylines being stale, but usually I find that I don't have too much to worry about once I hear from readers. Keep pushing on. Doubt is part of the process.