Finding Confidence in Your Writing Again

Confidence is a total freedom from doubt. It is a point where you forget about every negative input or thought and become consumed with your writing. Freedom from doubt and fear is the best thing that can happen to any writer.

If you don't have confidence, get it.

Some writers feel like they've never had confidence in their work. They struggle through every piece of writing, barely making it to the end. When they finally do reach the closing words, they feel naked and scared to release their writing for the world to read. I wonder why in the world you would want to continue writing, if this is how you feel. So for you writers who feel like you never had confidence to begin with, go out and get some! Need ideas?

Keep a running list/log of encouragement, positive feedback, or kind words you receive from readers.
Dream a little dream. Where would you like to see your writing? What great things would you like to accomplish through writing?
Believe in yourself, and what you can do.

Stop procrastinating.

Procrastination lends itself to unproductive days, which leads to a lack of self-confidence. When you can't make yourself sit at your desk long enough to finish one piece of writing, you begin to doubt yourself. You'll start telling yourself things like…

I can't finish this.
It's too hard.
I'm such a loser.
Why do I call myself a writer?

Stop it already. When you find yourself procrastinating, force yourself to get back on track. Here are some tips to help you out:

Use a timer when writing.
Create a strict writing schedule for yourself.
Set up a rewards system for yourself.

Don't belittle or berate yourself or your work.

If you are the kind of writer who likes what you write until you read it, you are only hurting yourself. If it doesn't seem as smart as you thought it was while you were writing it, you should put the piece down and walk away. Time has a way of opening your eyes to things you couldn't see in the heat of the moment. Don't belittle or berate your work. If you aren't totally happy with it, that's okay. But find one good thing you like about it, then set it aside and come back to it later.

Make friends with the editor side of you.

I'm sure you've read much about your inner critic. As a writer, you also have an inner editor (that could also be referred to as your inner critic). If you constantly worry about how much editing will have to be done before your writing can be complete and successful, then it's no wonder why you aren't confident in your writing. Don't look at your writing through stern eyes. Simply write and enjoy the process, knowing you'll come back to it later to edit and revise.

The best thing to do is to make nice with your inner editor. Get to know him. Find out what he likes and doesn't like. Then kindly tell him to get lost for a few hours while you write. I'm betting your words will flow much smoother if you'll take my advice.

Forget about perfection. It's a lie and a myth.

This tip is for you writers who strive for perfection (myself included). Most likely, you write with the intention that you will do one draft only because it will be complete and perfect the first time out. Or, maybe you are the opposite, and you stress over every word you write, reminding yourself the entire time that it will have to be perfected in the end (see the previous tip above).

You cannot and must not allow the idea of perfect writing ruin you. There is no such thing as perfection. Period. And despite what you might have been told, practice doesn't make perfect. Practice makes better.

Keep your eyes on the prize and your head out of the clouds.

Finally, some of you feel greatly bound by your own dreams and goals. You have great aspirations as a writer. You know what you want, and you are steadily working on getting there. But sometimes you are stifled by those dreams. You can only see what you want, and it's difficult for you to focus on what is right in front of you. Here are some tips especially for you:

Set mini goals that will propel you towards your main goal.
Focus on the writing at hand, rather than everything else that must be done in the future.
Put one foot in front of the other. Do what needs to be done today, and let tomorrow take care of itself.