Every now and then writers doubt themselves.
Is this whole writing gig bringing my family enough money?
Am I any good?
I’m doing all the right things – so why aren’t my sales higher / isn’t my novel published yet?
Every now and then, writers get spontaneous unprompted encouragement.
Published Novelist: For what it’s worth I’ve never met a writer who is more proactive, enthusiastic, connected and ready to embrace the next step than you. Plus, you write beautifully and have big, exciting ideas. I can’t wait to see your stories on the shelves of Target, Big W and KMart. Hang in there. I’ve never been involved with a process more difficult and frustrating than publishing! For you, it’s only a matter of time.
Commissioning Editor: Lady, you can write!
Fan: Love reading your blog, I am in awe of your ideas and your passion for writing is obvious (not to mention your talent – though don’t get a big head).
NBWG Writer: Just stealing a few moments online before everyone else gets up, and wanted to say thanks for all the work you put into NBWG, and for all the encouragement and advice you’ve given me.
NBWG Writer: I hope you’ll be able to tell me one day just how you balance all of the demands upon you of not only caring for your family but also running NBWG.
Short Story Competition Judge: Loved your story, btw. A real highlight for me 🙂
People – writers need encouragement. It keeps us going through all and any doubt.
So I’d like to send a big thank you to everyone who’s sent me some words of encouragement lately. I really really appreciate it. In fact, consider this blog post dedicated to you. I’m trying really hard to get my novel ‘out there’ so you can all read it. Lots of publishers are loving it – I just need one of them to find the courage to champion it. In the meantime, it’s your encouraging words that keep me going!
Thank YOU children of Manly Vale Public School – it was a pleasure teaching you how to write stories!!
Folks, if there’s an author out there you like – be they internationally published, an award-winning powerhouse, or just a friend – please take a moment and let them know. All writers, no matter what their level of success, have one thing in common: they too doubt. So help them through their doubt and send them some words of encouragement today. You may never know just how much those words are appreciated. But I guarantee you – they will make a difference, as they have done for me!
Zena – I had the chance to look at one of your stories-in-draft last night and as usual it was full of ingenious clever ideas. And I hear that you won yet another short story first prize! I hope that encourages you to write more and with more ambition. We want to see your books on the book store shelf! Cheers, Rob
Thanks, Rob!! Your support means a lot to me.
And yes, I just won the 2013 Australian Horror Writers’ Association short story competition. Squee!! When I get the plaque, I’ll take a photo and write a blog post about the win. I’m so chuffed!
In the meantime, I’ll keep on writing and rewriting and saying to publishers: “Come on – don’t be afraid of publishing me! Look what I can do!!” Fingers crossed one of them hears me soon 🙂
I recognise some of these words. 🙂 It’s been exciting and rewarding to watch your progress over the past couple of years. I know you’ll get there, and I can’t wait to see a novel-length book from you on the shelves and available for everyone to read.
Thanks, Liz! Just keep watching those British bookshelves… I’ll be there soon 🙂
So true – so consider this a strong encouragement from a fellow as yet unpublished writer to stick with it!
Thanks, Simon!!
🙂
Here’s something from my blog on the subject of doubting oneself. I call it “George McFly syndrome”:
http://simondillonbooks.wordpress.com/2013/03/20/george-mcfly-syndrome/
My 5-year-old daughter is very smart. She was peering over my shoulder when I wrote the last paragraph of that post, then disappeared into her room.
A little later she appeared with a card, for me. In it, she wrote: “Dear Mummy, You have bine cooking, cleaning, working, snugling and loved me, Brandan & Bill. I apreshyate it.”
Ahhhhh 🙂
<3 <3 <3 Clearly a very well-brought-up, intelligent little girl!
He he, thanks Liz!