Welcome back to another blog hop, with #OpenBook. Here’s this week’s prompt.
Don’t forget to click the purple button to see what everyone else has to say on this week’s subject. It’s at the end of my post.
Do you ever ask yourself if you are still a writer?
It’s time for some introspection.
Like a lot of creatives, I suffer from Imposter Syndrome.
As soon as my book sales drop or social media engagement falters, the same old thoughts start to bubble up.
Is my work good enough, have I passed my peak? Was I ever really a writer to start with or was I just a victim of hubris?
The small voice in my head that whispers negative thoughts, the one that competes with all those shouting out write my story, is the most insidious of them all.
I guess it’s a truth that as a writer, you’re only ever as good as your last review.
Or, as a friend of mine used to say you’re only as good as your last screw-up. Mind you, he also said What’s the point in having rank if you can’t abuse it, so maybe his outlook was a little cynical.
I also suffer from believing only the negative reviews, even a one-star rating carries more weight in my head than a five-star written review.
In my case, as an insecure and introverted writer, I need to constantly remind my inner self that I’m doing all right.
I have to regularly reassure that pesky voice that I’m doing what I love, telling stories and that’s the only point. I always said that I wasn’t doing it for the fame and fortune, I just had voices in my head telling me what to write.
If one person reads what I produce and enjoys it, my job is done.
Any money I might earn is a nice bonus.
The voices in my head clearly want me to get the words written, which I do.
If it was that important for me to be secure and content in the knowledge of my own abilities, perhaps they’d like to tell me how to do that as well.
What do you think?
Let me know below.
Then, please check out what my fellow writers have to say about this week’s topic.
Until next time.
Let me know what you think about this week’s subject.
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Now see what the other blogs in this hop have to say by clicking below.
Check out the other great blogs here.
Steven Smitg
I’m with you. Not getting to write as much as I’d like is a real downer, but at the same time, I’ve got way more writing out in the world than a great many people! And more to the point, I enjoy it.
Richard Dee
The output isn’t as important as the enjoyment. I’m writing less and not putting myself under so much pressure to get things done.
Stevie Turner
I’ve written a few books, but don’t make much money from them. It’s a hobby, and I can’t say I’m a real writer as I don’t earn a living from writing.
Richard Dee
I make enough to take my wife to lunch a couple of times a month. That’ll do for me.
Samantha J Bryant
Self-doubt assails us all sometimes. @samanthabwriter from
Balancing Act
Richard Dee
Very true.
Lela Markham
You’re a writing if you’re writing. The question might be “Are you still a marketable writer?” I was never really interested in the market. I write the stories I want to tell and then I worry about the market, so I am still a writer.
Richard Dee
Likewise, my work doesn’t have to sell, I just need to get the stories out of my head.
Daryl Devore
I’ve read som eof your work – you are a writer.
Richard Dee
Thank you.
P.J. MacLayne
When I gathered my paperwork for my taxes this year, I was pleasantly surprised to see how much I’d earned. Not enough to support myself, but enough to make me feel as if I’d accomplished something.
Richard Dee
Without too much effort, I make enough to do something nice every now and again. I’ve had my share of busting a gut to make money. That’s enough.