How To Stop The Noise Of Self-Doubt As A Writer/Author In Others & Yourself

     As an author who’s gone through many difficulties in his career; someone who had it all and almost lost it all and is fighting his way back up, I learn that every success, failure, or missed opportunity come with a lesson and before I show off my new successes to you, let me show you my lessons from my experience.

            Just note that these lessons can work for new writers and authors, and the seasoned ones:

• Not everyone outside the literary industry will be a fan of your work and might not always understand it.-Many will praise other creatives around you while just tolerating you.

• It’s you who makes your writing worthwhile. Not the other way around and definitely not other people.- Understand that you started writing out of love for the craft and not to make money. While the dream is to be compensated for it, if you treat it more like work instead of your craft, then your career will be over because of lack of desire.

• (While this is easier said than done) you must shut off the outside world when it’s time to write or writing.-It doesn’t matter who doesn’t like you or what’s going on around you. Your writing is your therapy. You can’t control how others feel about you, but you can always control your words.

• (Still easier said than done) you must shut off self-doubts and other factors that affect your writing time.-Things that take a long time are worth working for. That includes your writing. Factors like a long time writing your story or not getting the right time to write would cause you to doubt yourself. Receiving bad news or constantly associating with drama would put you in a bad headspace.

• You still have control over other people-Your time is still yours. Family, friends, job, bills, and other responsibilities all are a part of your world, but so is writing. You need to take at least thirty minutes to an hour writing a day if you’re serious about it. That also means the surrounding folks should respect your writing. That means no interruptions period. No one can say anything about you, your writing (finished or unfinished) or you as a writer because you choose who you want in your circle.

• Keep your ideas close and your notes closer-Do not share your ideas with anyone unless they are a 100 percent trusted ally, friend, writing partner, spouse, etc. Even then, truly vet them. That keeps your ideas from being exploited, doubted, stepped on, stolen, or modified for their story.

• Hire Help Responsibly-When hiring editors, proofreaders, cover designers, promotions and other professionals, make sure you vet them. Ensure they are reliable and treat your work, which I affectionately call your "babies," with tender loving care. Make sure they’re honest when they need to be. Make sure they work with your deadlines.

• Write as if there are no limits to your imagination (because there aren’t any)-Seasoned writers/authors, you know what the rules are. Newer writers/authors, you’re learning the rules or the basics. Now, when I say the rules, I mean the mechanics (margins, spacing, formatting, etc.) and they can alter them under very minute circumstances. However, I’m talking about story rules. Your story should never fit a box, or a trope, or a fad. When I mentor authors and I hear someone say or someone has told them, “that story’s been told”, I reply with, “no it hasn’t because you haven’t told it yet”. There are a million ways to tell a story, and just because “it’s been told before” doesn’t mean you can’t tell it your way. Now if you’re trying to just copy someone else’s work, then you’re going to have bigger problems and that will be all on you.

• BONUS: If they are a trusted editor, you never have to worry about them stealing your work as theirs-I’ll get asked this question with new clients, and it’s a legitimate question. My short answer is a simple no. My reason for the no is that I have a million book ideas of my own, I’m working hard daily to put to paper. I have my own titles and my own babies I stress about. The last thing I want to do is steal another person’s work and add to my already chaotic workload of books and characters who already stress me out. Add that the fact that that is stealing and dishonest, and I'm good.

     You don’t have to take my word for it. You don’t even have to follow all the rules. However, I promise you that understanding your worth as an author and what you’re capable of as one will allow you to go far. Just never give up and let your writing fuel your spirit!