We all know how doubt can be debilitating. Well, maybe not all- narcissists and less sophisticated primates are never plagued with doubt… so I’ll try again: we all should have some idea how deadly doubt can be… but equally how much we need it in writing. Because we need doubt to propel us to ruthlessly edit our messy manuscripts; we need to pick out our flaws and correct them. I for one like to take all my doubts out the drawer periodically and hold them in my hand until they grow so heavy that I feel like I’m sinking into a quicksand of doom and despair… or maybe that’s just me?
Okay, maybe that’s not the healthiest way to deal with doubt. There are better, tried and tested ways of dealing with doubt, like…
Crying.
Singing super cheesy anthems at the top of your lungs.
Power through- just hope those little voices inside your head go. away.
POWER THROUGH EVEN MORE- this means ruthlessly editing a gazillion times, writing more and more and more…
Read books by professionals and feel bad about it (aka chewing yourself out by convincing yourself you will never live up to those insane standards you set yourself)
Well, that wasn’t so bad. But we can do better than that…
Note that *CONGRATS* feeling doubt is a totally normal part of the process for any creative person.
Note that books on the shelves have been edited by professionals and it’s okay if you’re not up to that standard (yet).
Note that it’s a process and you’re getting there (just think about how crap you were when you started and you’ll feel better, I promise 😉).
Note that there’s always more room for more books in the world. Think of all those libraries and bookshops that need stocking with new stories!
Note that it’s okay to take breaks- you don’t have to power through all the time- seriously, it’s okay to take breaks!
And if none of this has helped, then…
Eat ice cream (and bananas) because this will always help. Always.
Actually, go do that anyway! Do you think any of these will be helpful? How do you deal with doubt? Let me know in the comments!
