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Low self-esteem? Really?
Yes! It's true. A lot of us writers do suffer from that. And don't mention the many fragile egos all around. Especially when you see your friends make deal after deal and you feel like you're going nowhere.
So how do you combat this?
(A thread) https://twitter.com/KellyAMangan/status/1355145611721535490
Yes! It's true. A lot of us writers do suffer from that. And don't mention the many fragile egos all around. Especially when you see your friends make deal after deal and you feel like you're going nowhere.
So how do you combat this?
(A thread) https://twitter.com/KellyAMangan/status/1355145611721535490
Know you are a fountain of ideas. Ever flowing. If you've worked on a book for a year, and revised and queried, it's ok to start a new idea. Or several. It will take time, but you will see how much your writing has improved. And that CAN make you feel better!
Know that being generous with your time only helps you. Critiquing someone else's work rewires your brain to figure out what can be fixed in your own writing. Because when you come across something that doesn't ring true in someone else's work, you may recognize it in yours.
Know that it's ok to receive feedback. But find people you trust. Those who understand the critiquing process and have your best interests and want to see you succeed. Set your ego aside and understand that good feedback should never feel like an attack.
Know that practicing scarcity only hurts yourself. Build a community who supports you and again, give of your time when you can. These are people you will cry with. Will celebrate with. And trust them to prop you up when you're down.
Know also that you can turtle. You can retreat into your shell and stay away from the oh-so-cruel world of social media. Do it for your mental health. Do it for you. Protect yourself. So that you can take the time to work on your ideas! Make them bear fruit!
And finally FYI... Writing is hard. Your feelings - even the ones that hold you down - are valid. So feel ALL of it. Then maybe put it all down on paper. Write the heck out of it. Maybe you'll produce something that will tell your low self-esteem to shut up already!
