The first line of support for a writer should be the people close to you which means when you write what you think is total crap, they remind you how fabulous you are and you’re one word away from finding a publisher. It doesn’t really matter if it’s true or not. The important thing is the support will give your psyche a total boost. I discussed this previously in The Importance of Support. Sometimes, however, you are faced with a situation where someone close to you chooses to stomp your faith in yourself into the floor.
Sometime ago, I was involved with someone who led me to believe I was talent less and I required an extreme literary makeover in order to write anything worthy of being published. I believed him because he was the first line of support and he surely wouldn’t try to lead me astray. At that point in my life, I hadn’t quite grasped the concept of jealousy and human nature. After I extricated myself from this person, it took a long time for me to believe in my writing again and I lost a number of writing years in the process. I have never doubted my abilities again. I might doubt a story but never my inherent abilities. If I’d known then what I know now, suffice it to say I’d have gotten to the extricating process a lot sooner.
When someone who is part of your first line of support, doubts you, don’t doubt yourself. There is a reason why you pick up that pen everyday and write; a reason why you continue writing even when the process is frustrating the heck out of you; a reason why you keep writing despite a billion rejection letters. The next time someone makes you start to doubt yourself, remember that reason and stay true to it.
When someone who is part of your first line of support, doubts you, don’t doubt yourself. There is a reason why you pick up that pen everyday and write; a reason why you continue writing even when the process is frustrating the heck out of you; a reason why you keep writing despite a billion rejection letters. The next time someone makes you start to doubt yourself, remember that reason and stay true to it.
