What makes you a confident writer? Part 1

Some writers I know are quietly confident while others have a charismatic confidence. What makes them confident? Well, the answer is they have great efficacy (capacity to produce results) and a healthy amount of self-esteem. Confidence is not just about thinking positive and using affirmations. All confidence needs a good foundation which includes setting achievable goals and following through to make sure you reach those goals. Every single time you achieve a goal you increase your knowledge and competency. I can assure you if you set yourself a goal and reach it, not only will your confidence increase, but you will have certainly learned something new along the way.

Recognise what stops a writer from being confident.

1. Rejection

Firstly, but most importantly don’t let rejection get you down. This is the fastest way, in my opinion, for any writer (actually for anyone) to lose his or her confidence in what they do or write. Conquering the “rejection effect” is one of the hardest things a writer will ever be faced with. Never mind worrying about press conferences and speeches to large audiences, because if you as a writer cannot bounce back from any form of rejection you will struggle to feel confident about what you do and give up. Okay, so your manuscript was rejected or the publishers hated your pitch. What do you do? Well firstly, you uncurl from the foetal position, haul yourself up off the floor to which you collapsed, dust yourself off and say, “I believe in what I do.” Decide then and there if you can improve anything. There’s always room for improvement. Remember: even the best writers experience rejection. The difference is they DON’T give up.

2. Self-doubt

This is when you hesitate to believe in what you have written. You hear the mental talk, it’s not good enough to be published or to be read. All writers will experience this at some time in their writing career. The best way to combat self-doubt is to replace it with self-confidence. Sounds easy doesn’t it? Well, sometimes it’s not so easy. When you have hit a patch of self-doubt here is a couple of things you can try.

1. Take a break from thinking. It could be as easy as going for a walk or spending some time outside.
2. Put the negatives thoughts into prospective by writing down some positives things about yourself.
3. Make sure you nurture yourself and include some fun and relaxation in your life.
4. Spend time with others who support and encourage who you are as a person. All of us at times need to know that we are not the only ones who get stuck in a time of self-doubt.

I’ll leave you with a quote from William S.

“Our doubts are traitors,

and make us lose the good we oft might win,

by fearing to attempt.”

― William Shakespeare, Measure for Measure

Until next time, be brave and bold in your chosen field of creativity. And never be afraid to explore new techniques.