Finding the confidence to write can be, to put it lightly, difficult. The fear of putting your blood sweat and tears into a story only to have someone scoff at it can be demoralizing. But if there’s one thing that I have learned, it is that you can’t let fear stop you from filling those pages. In fact, you might even be able to use that feeling of fear to write a better book. But for now, I want to help anyone out there who’s struggling to open that document or notebook, and putting their idea down in writing.
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Getting Past Perfection
Do you have a story idea? Do you want to be a published author? Do you enjoy writing but feel like you’re going through a major allergic reaction whenever you think about someone reading your work? You’re not alone! So many people today have amazing story ideas with complex characters and plots, but every one of them has that voice in the back of their head telling them that their work isn’t good enough.
Really truly, if every author waited to publish their work until is was absolutely perfect, there would be no stories to read! Trust me, no matter how many years you spend working on your little piece of art, it will never be perfect. Years down the road you will look back at it and pick out tons of things you wish you would have done differently. And that’s ok! Imperfections in stories are only natural. Whether you are a novice writer or a seasoned author, you cannot expect your work to be perfect. Honestly though, you don’t want it to be.
The Anti-Perfection
Imagine sitting down to a computer, spending 2 hours a day for a month writing, then giving a publisher a perfect book. No spelling mistakes, no plot holes, just one completed story. Sounds like a dream right? But imagine doing that every month. Or even every other month. Writing a perfect book, handing it in, repeat. Writing a perfect book, handing it in, repeat. Doesn’t that sound boring!
Writing isn’t only about putting words on a piece of paper to tell a story. It’s also a learning process. An ongoing learning process where you, yourself, develop like a character in your story. You figure out how to put emotion into words. You learn how to assemble words to build an image in any readers head. And it’s an ever changing field. So you are never really done learning. If you’re trying your best with the work you are creating, then your confidence to write and your stories will only grow and get better!
Building the Confidence to Write
But first things first. How can you move past the starting stage? The stage where a blank piece of paper is the greatest challenge you’ve faced. The stage that makes you want to give up your dream of creating a novel that a girl will pull off the shelf and cling too as she reads about the daring do’s of her new hero. How can you find the confidence to write?
You’ll need two things:
- A will to write
- A trusted friend
A Will to Write
I think a will to write pretty much goes without say. However, in the past, I’ve stood in my own way and procrastinated getting my ideas on paper. But, my will to write was the biggest thing that kept me going. When I say a will to write however, I don’t mean a knack for spelling, or a brilliant story idea.
When I say a will to write, I mean a setting in your head that is so unbelievable, you want to scream because it’s not real. A character you love so much, you begin to feel sad when you haven’t seen them in your minds eye for a while. A plot that gets your heart skipping when you think of its twists and turns. Basically, a will to write, is having a longing to create with words. There have actually been a few times I’ve made myself sick because I was procrastinating. So if this is you, you’re on the right track. If not, keep working on your story idea, I know you’ll land on a great idea soon!
A Trusted Friend
What about a trusted friend? Why are they an essential? Can they help you without actually reading your work, or knowing you’re writing? Your trusted friend is essential because we need someone to cheer us on. Someone to love your characters just as much as you do. So yes. To answer the second question they need to, not only know about your writing, but read it as well.
Now I know that little voice in your writer brain is screaming at you and turning on all of the flashing red alarms but hold on. This is a TRUSTED friend. Not some random person, not the guy who tripped you last week and laughed, but the person that you tell everything. The person you trust to be honest with you and, as said before, cheer you on. Really, this is what good friends are there for. They help us in the areas we lack, such as our confidence. So go out there, call your trusted friend (relatives included), and show them your innermost soul put into words. Show them a new and fascinating world that only you can show them.
That’s it!
In summary, the confidence to write is something that grows with time, elbow grease, and a little outside help. And don’t forget to muzzle that little voice in your head when you’re writing. He often times stops the writer from taking chances that would make them the next best seller.
Thank you so much for reading the latest addition to the Welcome To My Shoes blog! I post every other Tuesday so if you liked what you read today, be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss a thing! I have a bunch of other posts on my blog as well, so please check them out and don’t forget to comment.
Good job!!
Whether I’m talking with you or or reading what you’ve written , it’s always insightful. Good job, keep going.