Regaining Confidence

August 23, 2021 / Motivation and the Writing Life, Uncategorized / 14 COMMENTS

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

I think all of us have a crisis of confidence at some point when we’re writing.

Sometimes it’s because the writing that day has been slow. Maybe you’re having a tough time knowing how to approach an important scene. Or you’ve finished the important scene but it seems a little flat.

Maybe you’ve just finished reading a fantastic book or article and feel your writing really suffers in comparison.

Maybe it’s because you’ve come across some negative customer reviews of your books when you’re already feeling vulnerable.

It could be because your beta readers or critique group had some negative feedback on a recent chapter or full manuscript and you’re facing a lot of revision or aren’t sure which advice to follow.

The important thing is not to let the crisis of confidence keep you from moving forward with your story. Here are some ideas for helping to get your mojo back:

Tips for Regaining Confidence in Your Writing

Keep any positive reader emails or reviews in a special folder.  When you do get some good feedback, be sure to copy-paste it into a folder on your computer that you can review whenever you’re feeling a little low. Those can help remind you that your writing has resonated with others.

Keep samples of your writing where your voice and story were really strong.  This can also help during those times when you feel like you’re not getting a character’s voice right or you’re stumbling through a passage.

Consider re-reading your story. This is sort of the nuclear option for me because ordinarily re-reading my first draft really messes me up and puts me squarely in edit mode. But it can be a great way to talk yourself off the ledge and realize that your book does have redeeming qualities, just when you feel ready to throw in the towel.

Resist Shiny New Ideas. Sometimes, when our current project isn’t going well, a new story concept will occur to us…one that seems a lot easier to write or more of a viable idea than what we’re currently slogging through. Go ahead and just file your concept in another file and get back to your story.

Remember you can fix your book later. The first draft is not a completed book. To keep moving forward, remind yourself that you can make the story stronger as soon as you finish your first draft.

There’s a whole group dedicated to writers who struggle with their confidence or feel insecure about their writing. Check out Alex J. Cavanaugh’s Insecure Writers’ Support Group for resources and support.

Do you struggle with crises of confidence as a writer? How do you work through it?

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  1. Hi Elizabeth – these losses of confidence happen through out life – it’s realising they too shall pass – but by helping ourselves stay positive eases ‘the mental burden of worry’. Also get out and do something completely different for the day or half day … changing the tune a little – great thoughts … and yes IWSG must help many aspiring authors: with good references to reach out to. Cheers Hilary

  3. Great tips. I love the idea of keeping good samples of your writing to reread when you lack confidence. And rereading a manuscrpt and getting into editing (my favorite part of writing) sounds like a great way to recharge.

  4. This post spoke to me. I often think I should either grow a thicker skin, or stop writing. Better yet, keep going. Thanks for the tips.

  5. I really like these ideas, Elizabeth! It can be hard to believe in ourselves when things aren’t going well. But that’s when it’s most important to have faith. I especially like the idea of keeping positive reviews and messages to remind us we are capable. I also think it’s a good idea not to compare ourselves to other authors. We’re all unique.

  6. Great post, and exactly what I needed to read right now. As I mentioned before, I’m currently working on my first book ever, and I’ve already experienced several crises of confidence. A lot of authors say things like “all writing is re-writing” and things like that, but in the moment it’s easy to forget that and get frustrated. In all other areas of life, I completely understand that there is a specific progression to follow, and that you’re never good at anything right off the bat. You have to crawl before you can walk, that type of thing. But when it comes to writing, because I believe it’s what I was born to do, I feel like I should be amazing on my first try. And of course that’s silly, but I’ve learned I have to really humble myself and cut myself some slack, and although it sounds a little harsh, I have to understand, accept and EMBRACE the fact that my first draft will not be good. In fact, t will most likely be terrible, and that’s completely okay. The important thing is to keep going and keep writing (and then editing) every day and it will get better.

    1. I’m on book 44 or 45 and my first drafts all need improvement, ha. I just power through them, not even sticking in chapter breaks. Everything can be fixed later! Good luck to you with your first novel!

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