7 Tips I Use to Boost My Writing Confidence

Tips Used by the Pros

Hello Writer,

So I’m diving right into something I’ve been thinking about lately. 

I find the creative mind fascinating yet strange. One minute you feel inspired and invincible. You’re full of big dreams and ideas, and so very eager to express them. Then the next second–poof! The confidence is gone, deflated like a popped balloon. You’re feeling forlorn, fearful, like a complete failure.

If you’re a writer like me you know all about these sea-saw emotions, and trust me, they impact us whether we’ve written ten books or one. Yet many writers–myself included–manage to turn out books year after year. How is this? How do we cope with our waxing and waning levels of confidence? We do it the only way possible–by learning how to manage these emotions or at least learning to live with them.

I know, I know. This is not of much help if you’re so full of despair that you can’t even get that first completed book written. “I can’t find the time.” “I’m not committed or focused enough.” “I haven’t been able to get around to the research.” “I’m too scared to proceed.” “I don’t have the technical or writing skills.” “I don’t know the process for getting published.” “I’m busy with X, Y, and Z.” 

Do any of these comments sound familiar? Because I’ve heard all of the above excuses, especially from beginning writers. And yes, I believe that’s what they are–excuses. Fortunately, I also believe that they can be resolved if you really, truly, honestly want to write that book.

All successful authors have told themselves one or more of the above reasons for not writing at one time or another. We are not born with good writing skills or knowing the publishing process. The difference is that we don’t allow the shortcomings or gaps in our knowledge to paralyze our progress. We find a way to move forward and make things happen. We make writing a priority in our busy lives. We’re resourceful. We plug in the holes in our knowledge and experience. We take classes, read books, go online and do research. We ask questions.

We figure it out. And you can, too.

Below are seven tips that I’ve discovered and used over the years to help with moments of self-doubt. They will go a long way toward helping you build confidence and gain control of those pesky little writing gremlins that prevent us from reaching our creative goals and dreams. The gremlins will never go away completely, but don’t let them cripple your progress. Starting now, promise yourself that you WILL figure out how to walk through your fears. No more excuses.

Let’s get started.

1. Make writing a top priority.
   There are only so many hours in a day, and for many of us they are never enough. Even some of the most prolific and successful authors are pressed for time.
   
   So how do they find time to write? It’s simple. We make writing a top priority in our busy lives. We don’t allow the clock to become an excuse. Consider how you can make changes in your day to find more time. Even if it only adds up to a few hours a week that’s better than nothing. The more you write the better you get at it and the more confident you become.

2. Engage in activities that will boost creativity.
   Creativity must be nurtured. How do we nurture it? Ever notice how you sometimes do your best thinking while taking a shower or driving alone along the highway or even while chopping vegetables in the kitchen? These are often solitary, relaxing pursuits, and they allow the creative side of our brains to flourish.

   So instead of letting these activities happen only once in a while or for only a few minutes, make a habit of actively finding more time for them.  I take long solitary walks. Or you can find a quiet spot in the house (or the car if necessary) to sit and do nothing but think. You can also try mind-mapping or writing in a journal.

3. Get advice and be open to critiques of your work.
   Sometimes I’ll have a professional or someone whose writing knowledge and judgment I trust review my work. This usually should not include a sibling or best friend unless they’re pros. Otherwise, they may tell you what they think you want to hear or tell you something negative out of envy for what you’ve been able to accomplish.
   
   If you don’t have an editor or other writing professional who will look at your work, then go ahead and try to find a friend or relative who you believe will give you an honest opinion. She should be able to help you understand what you’re doing that’s working as well as what you’re doing wrong so you can improve it.
   
   You can also join one of many writing groups in your community or online that review each other’s work. No one’s writing is perfect so be open to constructive criticism. If done right, this can help you improve your writing skills and motivate you to move forward.
   

4. Stop comparing yourself to others and putting yourself down.
   This is a BIG one. It’s foolish to compare yourself to other writers who have more experience. There is no way you’ll come out on top, so why do it? That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t read or study the work of successful writers. You should. I do it all the time. But do it with an eye toward learning to improve your craft, and try to remember that they were once beginners too.

5. Write about what you know until you know more about writing.
   For my first book, I didn’t want to depend too much on research. I didn’t want to add the extra time and effort that come with doing things like setting your novel in an exotic location or bustling city that you’ve never visited. Better to focus on my craft when writing my first book, I thought. So I purposely set my first novel in the city where I was born and lived for a number of years for this reason. I knew I could depict it confidently and accurately without much research and then focus on the writing.

6. Don’t scrimp on the research when it’s really necessary.
   Take the time to explore and ask questions about the things that really matter. For example, take the time to learn more about plotting and doing it well. Or about your character’s personality traits–how they fit together and the possible reasons behind them. I find that reading books about psychology and personality help me feel more confident about creating characters in my novel.

7. Study the processes, traditions, and conventions of your chosen genre. Become immersed in your genre by reading and studying the works of other authors. Read books about the genre. You really should know your genre like you know the back of your hand. If you decide to buck the traditions and trends, at least do so knowingly rather than out of ignorance.

Writing confidence doesn’t fall from the sky. You have to work at it for as long as you write.