It’s Writing Monday……
“What makes you think you can write?”
Sound familiar? Sometimes the most defeating voices—those that stifle our creative juices—come from inside our own heads.
Unfortunately these negative voices generally are as much a part of the creative process as the positive and productive voices are. After all, you can’t build a gorgeous building without uncovering some mud and dirt when you break ground, and you can’t give birth to a gorgeous baby without intense labor pains.
Likewise, you can’t expect writing to be without its challenges.
When those little voices start filling you with doubt, you need to have the proper ammunition to fight back. That ammunition comes in the form of the truth behind the writing life.
When I conduct writing workshops, I arm students with a list of gloomy little voices that plague writers.
I have decided to provide them to you, here, as a series. You’ll find a new and all-too-familiar negative voice each Monday. With each, I hope to equip you with the ammunition you need to combat them.
After the series is done, I’ll continue each Monday to provide tips on writing and creativity. Most of the tips will be applicable to any form of creativity (painting, designing, photography… heck, even landscaping and project development). Other postings throughout the week will address whatever topic is my heart’s desire!
Let’s get started:
Gloomy Voice#1: “You are not creative enough to be a writer.”
The truth: Desire and creativity generally come as a package deal. If you truly desire to write (or paint or design or…you get the point), then the creativity rests within you.
The real question is whether you are “brave” enough to be a writer.
To be creative is to risk putting a part of yourself out there, for the world to see and criticize. It only follows that the protective part of you is going to go with it and keep saying, “Don’t do it, don’t do it!”
Trust me that the criticism will come. And the harshness will make you feel like a writing lamp post to a critical dog.
In the first few weeks after my first non-fiction book came out, I got 17 positive reviews, followed by one negative. Which review do you think I dwelled on?
Yep, the negative one. Then, in time, I realized that most critics are actually frustrated artists who can’t do it themselves, so they make a living criticizing other people’s work. I began to realize that the criticism was as much, if not more, about them as it was me and my work.
I once read that God selected only certain people to be writers, all the rest, by default, play the role of critic.
So let other people carry out their silly little reactionary roles, and you do your positive and productive God-gifted creative masterpieces.
Just bear in mind that the criticism and rejection will come.
That means you’ve fulfilled your role.
Next Monday: Gloomy Voice#2 – You Will Never Be a “Real” Writer.
Historical intrigue interwoven with modern-day suspense and a touch of the mysterious.
Contemporary romantic suspense.
Coming-of-age sagas.
‘Silly little reactionary roles’ ….I absolutely love that. I’ve learned that I need to pick and choose the advise I take …. I listen to it all, examine if it is worthy, make changes if necessary or disgard if nonsense. Thanks for this….
Thanks Keiki. We should all practice what you do!
I believe there are times when the hand of God reaches out takes our hand and gently leads us where we are to go. This morning the hand of God directed me to your blog/website and I was blessed because I am where this mornings blog is addressing.
I really appreciate the encouragement you have provided me and it reminded me of the story of the little train that could and the famous, “I think I can. I think I can. I think I can.”
Thank you God for your guiding hand…
Thank you DL Koontz for sharing with me the things I needed to hear. I will take them to heart!
Grace and PEACE,
Gary Piper
Gary, thank you so much for taking the time to comment. I hope something I said inspired you. God is so great, He delivers messages to us in the most unexpected places. Hopefully, I’ll peak your interest again next Monday.
What an amazing post, Deb. Keiki has her favorite line. Here’s mine: “And the harshness will make you feel like a writing lamp post to a critical dog.” Clever, and oh so true. I look forward to next week’s post. Thanks for this series.
Cathy, you’re welcome! So glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for the comment.
It takes courage to be creative. The mere fact that someone is willing to put their thoughts on paper takes courage. It’s a journey. Creativity grows with each step. Then one day you realize the creative part of you has taken over. Good or bad, we draw from our past and channel it into our writing. In the end, a writer can do without a lot of things. Remembering our journey is not one of them. Courage is the other. You are so right. The rejection will come. But if we “faint not” … so will the courage. 🙂
Pamela, very insightful. Thanks for providing even more thoughts for readers. My best to you in your writing!
Bravery…am I brave enough to write….submitting is my problem. I can can paralyzed deciding what to do next or where to submit my work. Such a work in progress am I. And my favorite line is the lamp post with the critical dog, too.
Cyn, thanks for the comment! Yes, we ARE works in progress, just like our writing! Good thought. We don’t give up on ourselves, soooo….many lessons there, eh? Thanks again.