Confidence in Writing

Confidence.  A word that can sometimes literally terrify me.  One day while I was hard at work on my novel I took a break and started to draw on a few Post-it-notes.  I started to think about my confidence as a writer and realized that I have never felt 100% okay with telling someone that I was a writer.  After graduating from University, I thought that I would march out the doors and declare such a thing to the world proudly.  Turns out it wasn't so easy.  It seemed that almost everyone I ran into would have the same conversation with me.

Them: What did you major in?
Me: English Literature
Them: Oh, are you going to teach?
Me: No, I'm going to be a writer.
Them: Oh...

So, the other day I had a revelation.  Scratch that.  I want to say that these types of thoughts have crossed my mind before, but I never had enough confidence to hold on to them.  Well guess what?  I'm holding onto them now.

I am a writer.  Even if I never get published and a thousand people tell me that my writing sucks, I will forever be a writer.  Writing isn't just a hobby for me, it's a passion.  It will forever be a part of me that is always there when times are good and bad.

There are so many doubts in life, but if we focus on them we will never accomplish anything.  So back to my original story...I decided to write "I am a writer" on Post-it-notes, and asked my friend/photographer/artist Kelly McGovern to photograph me next to it.  That way it will always be a reminder that even if no one believes in my writing, I do.

So there you have it.  Confidence.  It wouldn't be right for me to say that I will ALWAYS be confident in my writing, but as long as I try and stay confident in myself as a writer I will persevere.

Thanks for reading,
Christine