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| Courage |
I love Dave Farland's Daily Kick in the Pants and today's post was especially good: Finding The Courage To Write, Part 3.
I mentioned a few kicks ago, that when you're new as a writer, the fear of criticism is one the greatest stumbling blocks. You don't want to tell people about a dream that might sound foolish or unrealistic. You may not want to risk criticism.Jim Wolverton mentions joining a debate team or Toastmasters. I know two people who were deathly shy who joined Toastmasters and completely got over their fear. Now they regularly gives speeches to large groups of people, and they are good speeches!
Here are a few things that I would recommend that every new writer try in order to get past those stumbling blocks.
JW also suggests taking writing classes or joining a writers group. If you can find a good group then this is excellent advice. Be careful, though. Many writers haven't been as lucky as I have and it is very hard to grow as a writer if someone in your group is excessively critical. Your goal is to write more and be less inhibited, I believe that unrestrained criticism rarely helps achieve this.
JW tells a great story about how he gained some confidence as a writer. To read it, head over to his article: David Farland’s Daily Kick in the Pants – Finding the Courage to Write, Part 3.
Further reading:
- How To Build A Platform: Why Every Writer Needs A Website
- How To Sell 100 Books Per Day: 6 Things You Need To Do
- The Harlequin Class Action Lawsuit Explained
Photo credit: photo by Emilia Tjernström [Arriving at the horizon] on Flickr
Be bold, dear writer. Follow your inner vision and let nobody sidetrack you with their ideas about how you should write what....
ReplyDeleteMy experiences with writers groups has been...disappointing. That is true concerning those that I have checked out in person and on the Internet. Unlike nonwriters, most writers seem to freak out whenever I mention I am pioneering a new branch of literature. They act as if I am insulting them, while announcing that I barbecue puppies for snacks. And so, they go out of their way to criticize my offerings, while also denouncing me as arrogant and unappreciative. It seems I am supposed to thank them for trashing my writing styles, stories, and me. Oh well. I can get along just fine without their static. Meanwhile, I will fly my heretic flag high and march to my inner drummer....
By the way, I always refrained from attacking literary orthodoxy until my fellow writers begin savaging my writing styles and stories...From my perspective, highlighting positive aspects of other folks' writing and encouraging them to keep writing and strive toward excellence are far more profitable than going out of my way to harp on faults. I wish those who love to nitpick would adopt a similar attitude....