Become a Confident Writer
When I started this blog post, my first thought was, "who are you to talk about confidence?" Me, the one who could hardly tell people I wrote one, let alone two books. After winning (ahem) several book awards, I am still learning to elevate my platform.
But, uh, today is a new day.
Most of us struggle with confidence in one way or another—appearance, failed business ventures, professional aspirations. To err is human, but to get up and try again is absolutely divine. Do you have a goal in mind, but lack the confidence you need to achieve it? Guess what? It happens to the best of us. Below are a few steps that helped me build confidence as a writer.
Verbally affirm it.
We've all heard phrases like "speak it into existence", "put it out in the universe," and "claim it." Psychologists confirm that when you repeat something to yourself, it transmits to your brain, and your mind starts to respond to it. So, if you declare yourself a writer, then guess what? You will begin to believe it and start acting and working as a writer. Can we say, buy-in?
2. Be About it.
Yes, we need to affirm verbally, and absolutely we need to believe to achieve. BUT, there's no substitute for immersing yourself in your craft. If you want to be a better writer—read more, review books of fellow writers, attend writers' conferences, and join writers' groups. Sound cliché? It is, but guess why it's cliché? Because it works. Do you think Michael Jordan became great by skipping practice? Nah, not likely. Surround yourself with as many resources as possible. Challenge yourself to step outside of your norm, and just do it already.
3. Find Your Peeps
♪We all need some-body to leeeeean on.♪ Find other writers and share ideas, or to encourage you. Find like-minded-people who write the same genre as you or are similar in personality. In other words, find similar people that you like.
4. Um, write!
Yep, I said it. Write. All of the above means absolutely nothing if you don't put pen to paper, or finger to keyboard and bang out some paragraphs. Doesn't have to be a significant literary work (initially), but a thing needs to exist to improve upon. So, in the middle of all the writing groups and resources, don't forget the most important thing—writing!
Hope this blog finds you well-rested, hydrated, purpose-driven, and doing your thing.
Write on,
Tamika