How to Develop Confidence as a Writer

Posted on by

In December I posted a blog about the audacity of calling myself “Writer” and promised that I would post a handout about developing the kind of confidence I needed to name myself writer. Here’s that hand-out, with a few updates, edits, and additions.

  1. Claim yourself as writer. Say it to yourself: “I’m a writer.” Say it to others, too.
  2. Make time to write; create a “writing habit.”
  3. Make a special place for your writing; go there “on the arm of joy.”
  4. Acknowledge where you are in the work; a messy first draft won’t look or sound like a revised third draft. Don’t expect a finished draft when you’re just getting started. Nothing ever comes out raw and perfect at the same time. Oh, and there’s no such thing as “perfect.”
  5. Remember all writers have doubts; no writer has ever said it was easy.
  6. Acknowledge that writing is risky and anxiety-producing. We never don’t experience it; we just get use to the feeling and perhaps learn how to manage our anxiety.
  7. Show your work; don’t hide your light. Take those risks whatever yours are.
  8. Celebrate your successes! Celebrate the successes of others, too. Be generous.
  9. Brenda Ueland said, “Everyone is talented, original, and has something important to say.” When she said everyone, that’s exactly what and who she meant. (Brenda Euland, one of my heroes, is the writer I quoted above who wrote about going to your writing on the “arm of joy.”)
  10. Be a student, study the masters. Keep learning. Stay curious.
  11. Remember, as long as you are writing, you are succeeding.
  12. Jack Kerouac said, “You’re a genius all the time.” I believe him.
  13. Acknowledge that you are unique; nobody else writes exactly like you write. Your voice is yours alone. Barbara Kingsolver says, “Don’t try to figure out what other people want to hear from you; figure out what you have to say. It’s the one and only thing you have to offer.”
  14. Remember your work isn’t you; Elizabeth Gilbert reminds us our book isn’t our “baby,” it’s our book.
  15. Do something for your writer self every day. Make a list of what you can do for yourself and your writing one day, then choose something from the list the next. When you’ve done everything on your list, create another list or start over on the same one. Or do your favorite thing again. And again.
  16. Find the right support when you show your writing to others. Not all praise, but not overly critical either. Look for writers with your same sensibilities and who challenge you and encourage you.
  17. Take classes, workshops, go to conferences, seminars, retreats.
  18. Read and learn from what you read. Read as a writer, a student of the page.
  19. Write reviews of others’ work. Write letters to other writers whose work you admire, not as a fan, but as a fellow writer. Create connections, build relationships.
  20. Play, experiment, try something new.
  21. Talent is overrated; go for perseverance.
  22. Create your own cheering section. Post inspiring quotes, gather compliments. Be your own best writing friend.
  23. Savor your accomplishments.
  24. Remember why you started writing; find that joy again.
  25. WRITE.

14 thoughts on “How to Develop Confidence as a Writer”

  2. Dear Judy,
    thank you so much for the list you posted. I’ve heard or read almost everything before, but having all the good advice on a single sheet will probably help much more than remembering now and then the one or other single point!
    I already printed it out and put the sheet it in my daily agenda, hoping to establish a more solid routine on writing.
    Thanks again and ‘Hello’ from Berlin/Germany, says Birgit

    • Hello back, Birgit from Berlin and thank you for your comment. What a good idea to print the list out and keep it present. I may do that myself! All best in the New Year. Judy

  4. Very thought provoking Judy – I will print up a copy of your words as a future reminder….I guess writing is all about longevity, staying the course to mature, to season, and your words are specifically inspirational for that very purpose. I read Brenda Ueland’s book many years ago and have subsequently read many others on the topic of writing but her words still linger. As indeed do your written words in your great writing book.

    • Thank you, Michael. I always appreciate your thoughtful comments. Yes, I think that staying the course, always going to the work–especially if we can do it first thing, is what serves our writing best. Very Happy New Year’s wishes to you and yours.

    • Thank you, always, Linda. That cup…from my friends in St. Petersburg, FL, where I’m headed tomorrow. It (the cup) has a nice round belly and generous handle. I like too. I have three favorite cups that I use in rotation, plus a different cup when I have tea. Those three are my coffee cups. My morning coffee cups. The one I use for afternoon is different. (is that tee hee hee I’m hearing? are you laughing at me?)

      • No I am not laughing at you — my laugh is hahahaha cackle cackle shriek. No mere tee hee for this Italian. Okay the story of the cups. I got thrown out of a thrift shop for going in there too often and spending $50 – $100 a month. Real reason: the pipsqueak manager is threatened by strong Alpha women. I reported him twice and threatened all sorts of stuff like free media advertising et al and embarrassed the little man. Okay I still like the store, it is a charity after all, and I made a very good friend out of it (she works there). The other day I asked her to look for red cups, straight up and down so the coffee stays hot (I drink three decafs in 3/4 hour every morning over Pages). And I love my greens but this time I have to have reds. And I asked her to look for pottery too but not the wide stuff that makes my coffee cold and me mad.

        Tea? Never touch the stuff (shudder). However if I could find that Constant Comment (Bigelow) Orange Spice I would use my clear coffee mug since it looks more like a cup than a mug (those are for coffee and cocoa).

        Malbec grows in a long stemmed glass.

        Hugs,

        No laughing matter, those cups. You have to have the right one for the right occasion.

      • Hi Linda,
        agree: the right cup for the right occasion, just like the right pen and the right notebook.

        PS I like to shop at thrift stores, too.

  6. Judy,
    Thank you for always trying to inspire us.
    It’s working.
    Arlene Kosakoss

    • Thanks Arlene, for stopping by. I always appreciate hearing from you. Happy New Year! (We can still say that, I think. Maybe until we start saying “Will you be my Valentine?”

Comments are closed.