Riddled With Doubt

The writing industry is not for the faint of heart.

We write, we revise, we edit. We then send off our manuscript to our most trusted partners for a critique, and we re-write, re-revise, and re-edit. We are proud of hitting our word count goal for the day, and we preform a little dance for ourselves when the story arc shines beyond our expectations. We feel complete. And then, within 24 hours we have such disdain to those very same words that we previously adored. Filled with self-doubt and deprecating thoughts, we utter: My writing sucks. Why would anyone want to read this? I’ll never get signed or published.

This roller coaster of emotions applies to every individual who takes pen to paper and exposes their thoughts. From the novice writer to the author who is getting published for the umpteenth time, it’s normal for writers to question what comes next. Even for you and me. But we must not let it linger. The key to writing is PERSEVERANCE. Don’t give up. Stay positive and enthusiastic. Write, write, and write some more. Be determined, be disciplined, but above all—be perseverant.

Take action! My advice for remaining steadfast is to ground yourself in community. As a picture book author, I surround myself with friends from the writing community, SCBWI, and the Highlights Foundation. The constant support and advice keeps me going when I’m unsure and need inspiration. Make sure to find a community for you.

This post was featured in the Polish & Pitch newsletter, presented by Jaime Dill. Follow Jaime here: @Jaime_dill / polishandpitch.com