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Insecurity drying up my writing!
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Sandra
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Jul 12, 2009 10:19AM
I have been doing really well for about a month. I have averaged about 5000 words a day. After my daughter came home who is a professional journalist and lives an exciting life, I am filled with insecurity. Now I have to readjust and get my creativity secure again. Does anyone else go through this insecurity thing?
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Sorry, don't do insecurity. Don't try to compete with your daughter, just carry on doing what you do regardless. If you develop the attitude that the only opinion of yourself that truly matters is your own, you will never be insecure again!Anyway, 5000 words a day is a remarkable average. That actually pushes my total when I'm in full flow. In terms of productivity, you were way up near the top of the leaderboard here. And that's what matters in writing, getting it out of your head and onto the paper (well OK, the screen, but you know what I mean).
The real grind comes in editing, proofreading, getting independent readers, and then more editing and proofreading and submitting.
So I reckon you're doing well. Just get back to the productive routine.
Paul wrote: "Sorry, don't do insecurity. Don't try to compete with your daughter, just carry on doing what you do regardless. If you develop the attitude that the only opinion of yourself that truly matters is ..."Thanks Paul. You are so appreciated.
Welcome Sandra, and congratulations on your 5,000 words!
I agree with Paul, Sandra, 5,000 words is amazing! That's a short story right there! As someone who has also suffered through the paralysis of insecurity, I totally hear where you're coming from. Paul's totally right that all you can do is know that you set your own standards---really, there's no other writer out there who's just like you. A writer friend put it this way, think about the negative critical voices inside our heads that often keep us from writing (the voices that compare you against your daughter, for example), and then think about whether we would say those same things to a friend, a child or other loved one. Of course, the answer is NO! I've tried replacing the insecure 'messages' with true and affirmative ones. Maybe something like, "I am prolific and can write a lot in one day." (I'm only saying that one because that's all I really know about your writing!) It sounds cheesy but something you might want to try to replace the critical messages in your head.
Good luck and keep writing!
... and so this professional journalist, the one who leaves an exciting life... (someone's going to have to explain to me just what that means) is also a published author? ... and an expert on writing?.... who is going to look at her mothers work and say, "Oh Mom... leave the writing to the professionals?"If that were my daughter I'd smack her a good one.
Besides, I'd never want to be a journalist. You write what your editor tells you to write about, not what you want to. Then, to add insult to injury, your words get cut, clipped and pulled out from underneath you at a whim, your articles gets bumped for space or by a huge news lead.
... and if by exciting you mean travel? Trust me when I say living out of a suitcase isn't all it's cracked up to be.
When you get sent to one 'Podunk' place after another and get to stay at the 'Worst Western No-tell Motel' often enough... the glamour wears off in a hurry.
You're a writer and an author... she's only a journalist.
Rona wrote: "I agree with Paul, Sandra, 5,000 words is amazing! That's a short story right there! As someone who has also suffered through the paralysis of insecurity, I totally hear where you're coming from. P..."I appreciate your encouragement. I am working on listening to the positive. Why do we get caught up with the negative? I am getting back at it.
Gwendolyn wrote: "... and so this professional journalist, the one who leaves an exciting life... (someone's going to have to explain to me just what that means) is also a published author? ... and an expert on w..."Gwen,
I don't know what to say but thank you for your words. You are quite the supporter and cheerleader! Thank you.
Howdy Sandra, good luck with your writing. Believe in yourself.
Mod
I fully understand where you are coming from. To me, writing is a series of emotional ups and downs. I am constantly fluctuating between “am I good enough” to “I LOVE what I write.”
I have always found that keeping my ego in check is am important part of writing. Sure as hell, as soon as I find myself basking in “good reviews” then along comes someone who rips my writing to shreds.
Bottom line (at least for me), is that writing is an emotional rollercoaster. Yet, when I get a review that states my novel has “moved” someone to tears or laughter...the ride is well worth it :]
Learn from your critics, but embrace your supporters...and most importantly...keep writing :]
Dee wrote: "Hey Sandra,I fully understand where you are coming from. To me, writing is a series of emotional ups and downs. I am constantly fluctuating between “am I good enough” to “I LOVE what I write.” ..."
Thanks Dee. You know one of the reasons I love this website is because there are people who engage. Thank you. I recovered and wrote 500+ words yesterday.
Mod
You Go Girl!
