Jason Howell asked Matt Cain:

Matt... Several of my friends have trouble with confidence (I sometimes do too) in general. So I thought I'd ask a few writers this very straight forward, open question... What shakes your confidence? In the realm of writing, or otherwise. What tends to foster it?

Matt Cain Hi Jason, I tend to find my confidence wavers after I've experienced any rejection or criticism. Before Shot Through the Heart was published I wrote two books that were rejected by loads of agents and then loads of publishers. It can be terrible when this kind of thing happens and really hard to keep believing in yourself. I have certain rituals I do to try and zone myself off from negativity like listening to my favourite rousing music or going for a long walk on my own and giving myself a pep talk in my head. But it can be tough - and I have lots of sympathy for your friends because I've totally been there! Please wish them the best of luck from me! Matt

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