Any writers out there who are constantly held back by self-doubt?

Question

I want to make a career of writing, but I read other writings by much younger people and think they write a lot better than me. They can only get better! It just makes me feel like I'll never make it.
I am never confident with my writing; I am afraid to submit anything. There are so many good writers, how can I even compare?

Answer 1

I think its a common malady to writers. And also what makes many of them sucessful. I enjoy writing fan-ficiton from my 2 favorite TV programs. I don't have to create characters, they are already established, so its a little easier. Try that if you need to get a boost. Submit to www.fanfiction.net. There are a LOT of fan-fic there...all written by amateur writers. I'm sure you could get some ideas there.
My favorite author told me.... write what you know. And write about 10 minutes of every day..every day!!!
Don't compare yourself to anyone. You don't want to copy them. I keep a dictionary and a thesaurus with me just about all the time. Never know when inspiration might pop up with a plot-bunny! I'll be glad to send you the links to my fiction if you'd like to read it. No, I'm not a teacher, not a professional writer, Not an editor. I just like to write too.
Good luck.

Answer 2

I feel the same way.
But, everybody has their own style and as many writers as there are, there are more readers. Somebody somewhere is going to like your style. Besides who said you have to be the best in everything you try.
Join a writing group over the internet. You can be anonymous and get truthful feedback on your writing. The reason you're afraid to submit anything is partly because writing is such a private thing, it is so much a part of us that if someone criticizes our writing we feel like they have crushed a very important part of that which makes us, us. So by submitting something to a writing group (who don't know who you really are) you get your constructive feedback, you are not obliged to take their advice because they don't know you anyway and you can be yourself because of the same reason. Once you get used to the criticism which will happen anyway, you'll also be used to the fact that you know how to write and are in fact a good writer and the rest won't bother you.
Good luck.
Happy writing.
Don't be afraid to be yourself.

Answer 3

Charles Schultz (Peanuts) advice to young writers: the trick is to find something that makes your Snoopy stand up.

Insecurity, you'll get over it (maybe;)? Some say that you're not really a writer if haven't gotten enough rejection letters to paper a wall. Editing and criticism can make your work stronger. You'll learn to develop a thicker skin as you go along. Not everyone will always love your work, including you. But as long as you draw breath, there is always another day to try again.

Chances are if you're feeling much younger people are writing better than you, it could be just your age/experience talking. Or maybe it's a sign of a developing young editor? As time goes on you'll learn to find your own voice. Who knows? You may even give voice to others, both real and imaginary.

Meditation exercises will help refine the process and give you confidence. Everyone makes mistakes. Try reading "The Heart of a Woman" by Maya Angelou. Sometimes the biggest regrets in life are the things left undone.

Answer 4

Hi Adazhia,

You are describing something that every writer who ever lived goes through. The great Franz Kafka hated his writing so much, he wouldn't allow it to be seen, and ordered it burned on his death. His executor refused, and instead had it published. And now, Kafka is considered one of the giants.

Ernest Hemmingway also thought he had no talent; also Fitzgerald and others. Oh, believe me I could go on and on. What you're really afraid of is not that you're untalented -- you're afraid that you'll be rejected, and that it will hurt. Well guess what. You WILL get rejected, and it WILL hurt. But here's the significant thing -- you get used to it -- it won't kill you, and overcoming it will only make you both a better writer and a stronger person.

Consider, the best selling author of all time is J. K. Rowling. She was rejected over a dozen times trying to get someone to take Harry Potter seriously. And NOW look at her. We've all been rejected; but here's something I want you think about. AND I MEAN THIS -- you NEED to think about this VERY seriously...

If you allow your fears and insecurities to get the better of you, and make you give up your dream, the dream will NOT die, it will merely change shape and transform itself into a nightmare. And for the rest of your life you'll be plagued by the what might have been if only you'd extended yourself and confronted your fears.

Someone once said that that the five worst words in the English language were -- "Oh What Might Have Been."

It's better to live with rejection, knowing you gave it your best shot, than to have to spend the rest of your life saying those awful, awful words.

You GO, girl.

Answer 5

Nearly every writer I've ever met (and I've met alot of them) has had these doubts, and that includes me.

The only way you'll improve you writing skills is to write and have have it critiqued by someone who will be truthful and honest about your work.

Don't compare your writing to others-- read them and find out what it is about the way they write that makes you think they're better. Try to adapt your writing to that ideal. But be careful. what you think is "good" or "better" may not be.

You will make it if that's what you want, but stop thinking career unless you want to be a reporter, or journalist. I do know writers who make a living from writing (coupled with speaking and teaching) but it take years and years to become know, and the work doesn't stop there.

You have to WANT to write and I think that perhaps you do. Just put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) and keep writing. Join a group (face to face is best but not always available) check the big book stores and the libraries near you, they may know of groups in your area that will help hone your skills.

Good luck and keep writing.

Answer 6

MOST writers have self-doubt.
Comes with the job as unwanted baggage.

Its hardest on the pessimists. They look at the situation as horrible, can't improve; call the ambulance!

Optimists take it much better. They put on a powerful smile, look like they have gas and pretend it doesn't matter.

Let's just face the music
you'll never be like THEM!

There
I said it.

NOW, you can go about the business of being yourself; not like them at all; UNIQUE!

Good writers use something called, good sense.

They don't compare themselves with others!
They compare their current writing with something they've written YEARS ago.

Any fool can just SEE the difference is enormous!

What a HUGE improvement I've made!

And I was Worried?

Answer 7

I used to constantly delete my Microsoft Word files when I was 9... soon with time I became more confident. However even now if I read something I wrote months ago, I feel embarrassed, even strange.

Answer 8

i feel the same way sometimes but then i think "how will i ever know if i dont get my stuff out there"...i'm more worried about getting a book finished rather than wether or not its good compared to others...

Answer 9

well i have never thought of publishing mine, but i have the same problem with showing my work ,i am working on a novel now my sister reads it and enjoys it alot but there is somthing in me that tells me that im only fourteen and my novel has to be crap.

Answer 10

I'm glad to meet someone like me, I have an opportunity to 'write that book" I should have done years ago, but because of self-doubt, I havent started. Everyone else's seem better! Duh!