My writing isn’t good enough

One of the biggest hang-ups for writers is the fear of not being good enough.

Too many authors, and I’m talking mostly about those writing their first book, are afraid that anything they write will be lousy, garbage, not worth anyone’s time.

Who will ever want to read what I write?

They defeat themselves before they even get out of the starting gate.

Are you feeling that way?

If so, get over it.

Don’t let negativity rule your life.

You really don’t have to write like Hemingway or Stephen King or some other famous author, especially when you are a newbie.

In any type of career or endeavor, there is a starting point. Few of us are great or even good at something when we are just beginning.

Don’t give up on your writing when it seems as if you’re failing, when the words looking back at you on the computer screen appear to be the mere scribblings of the worst amateur.

What you wrote probably isn’t as bad as it seems to you. After all, everyone is their own worst critic.

And even if your writing is horrible, so what?

You’ve gambled nothing in the process. You’ve done nothing more than invest time in a learning process.

Sit yourself down the next day and write again. Then keep writing for more days.

Don’t look at writing as Sisyphus pushing a boulder up a hill for eternity.

The good writing days will come.

Practicing your craft (and yes writing is a craft) will make you better.

Do not give up.

Keep at it.

Maybe you won’t write lyrical prose like Faulkner or compose sentences that sing to the Gods. So what?

Here’s a tip.

The most successful writers aren’t necessarily the ones with the most talent. They are the ones who work the hardest at their craft.

They write five, six, seven days a week.

They don’t wait for the muse to come calling, for inspiration to zap them.

Believe it or not, they likely suffered through the same doubts about their writing, perhaps contemplated or even gave up, only to return to what they were meant to do – write.

How about you?