I am a talented writer. Creativity flows through me effortlessly and easily. I love to write. I write every day. When I sit down at the computer the words flow on to the page.
Am I the most conceited writer in history? No. A few years ago, I heard a recording of an RWA workshop about using positive self talk, or affirmations, to improve your writing career. (I’ve tried to find the author who presented the workshop so I could give her credit, but Google let me down.)
When you decide to write and pursue publication, you put yourself out there for a lot of rejection. Well meaning family members will smile and say, “Don’t get your hopes up, because you probably won’t get published.” Friends, will say, “What a fun hobby.” Strangers will say, “Have you written anything I would’ve read? Oh, you’re not published?” An awkward silence follows these comments broken only by the sound of you gnashing your teeth.
Once you start querying, you will be rejected. And if, miracle of miracles, an agent asks for pages, you will be rejected based on those pages. If the agent asks for a full, odds are you will be rejected based on the full. Or, you might not hear back from an agent at all, because “no response means no” is the new understandable yet ego-bruising and slightly sadistic standard. Although my personal favorite from the realm of rejection is the “It’s not you, it’s me.” email. The “I love your story, but it isn’t right for our agency at this time.” letter. That sentiment caused me to drink many glasses of wine and suck down many bags of Oreo’s.
During this onslaught of negativity, it helps to tell yourself that your writing doesn’t suck. Your characters aren’t cardboard cut outs. Your dialogue isn’t stupid. Your setting isn’t non-existent. Sometimes, you are the only person who will tell yourself that you’re a good writer. Every morning, look at yourself in the bathroom mirror and tell yourself something positive about your writing, because sucking down too many Oreo’s means you’ll have to buy a new wardrobe, and since you haven’t sold any books yet, you don’t really have the money to go on a shopping spree.
And to make sure that you aren’t lying to yourself join a local writing group, read books on the craft of writing, round up a few beta readers, listen to recorded RWA workshops and find a critique group.
It took five years to sell my young adult paranormal novel, “Going Down In Flames.” During those five years, I was filled with self-doubt (and double stuffed Oreo’s). Every rejection stung. The best writing advice I can give you is work to improve your craft and keep telling yourself that you are a talented writer. If you keep at it someone else will eventually say those words back to you.