5 Strategies for Killing Self Doubt as a New Writer

I feel a bit like a fraud writing this since I am constantly (and if you know me at all, VERY vocally) plagued with insecurity when it comes to my literal job! Doubt creeps in despite a book under my belt, my work being featured in a couple of cool platforms, whether or not it was credited (I am a ghostwriter!) and even placing first in a contest. 

Insecurity slithers in whenever I let myself get defeated by stuff like negative self-talk and unrealistic expectations about how great or how quickly I can write something. Let’s not even get started on procrastination that stems from outrageously comparing my work to literal titans of literature. I’m the kind of person who reads back my work and thinks: Chinua Achebe would laugh at this. Lauren Groff would sit with her bestie and tear my writing’s ass in two. David Mitchell would look me dead in the eye and say, “Lady, just stop it!”

You’ll understand then why I feel a little unqualified to share these tips. Dammit! There’s that negative self-talk again. I’ll force a little positivity on myself by saying that the tips I’m about to share have no permanence (at least for me) BUT they help me feel a little less unconfident every time I get all shivers-wimbers-timbers about my abilities. 

So here there are:

5 Ways To Gain More Confidence As A Writer

Photo by Windows on Unsplash

Celebrate Your Achievements

Recognize and appreciate the progress you’ve made in your writing journey. Giving yourself positive feedback and compliments will help you feel less insecure. Don’t forget to reward yourself for completing a writing task or reaching a milestone. You earned it!

Challenge Yourself

Set realistic and attainable goals and work towards them step by step. I’m laughing as I write this because, wow! Pot kettle black, much? Well, those who can barely do (me) are at least free to give advice so go ahead and try new genres, topics, formats, or styles that interest you or challenge you to grow as a writer.

Learn from Others: 

Read widely and critically from different sources and genres. Learn from other writers by observing their techniques, strategies, strengths, and weaknesses. Maybe what works for them might work for you. Even if it doesn’t, you can never learn too much from fellow authors so always be keeping an eye or ear out for their tips and advice. 

Seek Help When Needed

Don’t hesitate to ask for help when you encounter a problem or difficulty in your writing process. Refer to online resources (like this one). Join writing groups. Utilise writing workshops. Heck, seek professional help from tutors, coaches, or editors if you can afford to. Your confidence will grow from guidance and feedback from other people. 

Practice Regularly

The best way to improve your confidence and your writing is to practise as much as you can. Write regularly, even if it’s just for a few minutes or a few sentences. Write for yourself, for fun, for expression, or for improvement. The more you write, the more you will discover your voice, your style, and your potential as a writer.

Confidence comes with time and practice. Will you ever completely overcome some self doubt? Maybe not. But that doesn’t mean insecurity can’t be minimised after a while. So, keep writing, keep learning, and keep growing