Confidence can be one of the biggest challenges writer’s face. Generally speaking we have no shortage of ideas, we can use tools and professional services if we are unsure about editing, grammar. spelling etc. The thing that stops more people writing than anything else, confidence.
You sit down to write. You have an amazing idea, or at least the bones of an amazing idea and suddenly you feel sick. Who are you to think you can write a book? Who wants to read what you write? What’s the point in even trying?
Sound familiar?
We’ve all experienced it at one time or another, even the greatest writers of our time.
“If I waited for perfection, I would never write a word.”
– Margaret Atwood
Why do we feel this way?
The simple answer is evolution. Over generations we have learned that new things are unpredictable, they can even be dangerous. Why would we step out of the familiar and comfortable and do something new and scary?
Just because our brain doesn’t have a frame of reference for this experience doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t try though.
I know all the biology, the psychology behind this feeling, but it doesn’t make me immune.
Let me tell you a story.
Last year I made the decision not to do any more with my memoir – despite having almost completed my second draft – because it isn’t the right time for me to release this story into the world. I immediately began planning what my next book would be. I had a few ideas but I didn’t want to dive in without being certain.
Over the last 6 months or so this initial concept has morphed beyond all recognition. About three weeks ago I thought I had it. It all felt as though it had clicked into place, I was researching and making notes and things felt right. I even told a couple of trusted friends my plans. While we were talking I was telling them about my daughter, who is doing a creative writing degree, she is an amazing fiction writer, she had just finished a short story for submission to a literary review and it had blown me away. I heard myself saying; “I don’t think I could ever write fiction, I would never be able to write anything as amazing as that”.
A few days later, I had been woken up unacceptably early by my husband who had a flight to catch. I didn’t get much sleep that night, but when I woke up, in my semi-conscious state, I had this realisation that my new book needed to be historical fiction.
Not only that, I felt genuinely excited about it.
I have spent the last fortnight researching every spare minute I have and I can honestly say that. even though I am not quite sure of the exact structure, but the more I research, the clearer it becomes.
Am I scared?
Of course. I have never written fiction, and on top of that, the perfectionist in me wants it to be as factually accurate as possible.
Am I letting that stop me?
Absolutely not. I love a challenge, and I know that the only reason I am feeling a little anxious about it is because it is something new, something I haven’t done before.
What can you do to make this feeling easier?
Accept that your first draft won’t be perfect. Start writing. Get your ideas down and then take time to polish your writing. Writing isn’t supposed to be perfect, it is the imperfections that give your writing character and that appeal to your reader.
Establish a writing practice. Regular writing will help you find your voice and perfect your writing technique, as well as growing your confidence and making writing feel like a normal part of your life.
Study successful authors in your chosen genre. Read books by other writers you admire who write similar books to the one you want to write. Don’t try to copy their style but think about the structure and style they write in. What is it that you like about a particular author?
Set achievable goals. Give yourself a target whether it is a time you are going to write for, or a word count you would like to achieve, every week and try to stick to it. Once you start writing, you are doing that thing that your brain is wary of and you can start to re-programme that unconscious messaging that writing is dangerous.
Ask for feedback from trusted sources. This can be difficult for many people. You may not want anyone to see your writing, but if it is your intention to put your writing out into the world, it is a safe step to ask someone you trust to take a look. Choosing someone you trust to be honest is so important because otherwise, you won’t believe what they tell you.
I have done all of these things over the last couple of weeks. I have always been ok with my first draft needing some work, and I have a good writing practice and almost exclusively read historical fiction – when I’m not reading nonfiction. I haven’t got to the stage where I am setting goals yet because I am still researching, but I will in the next couple of weeks. I decided that the right person to confide in about this new idea, was my daughter. She said all the right things. Told me she loved my idea and gave me some really helpful feedback.
What is the writing project that your heart is drawn to, but your head is panicking about? When are you going to start writing?
If you are looking for a supportive and friendly writing group, why not join us in the Writer’s Forge?