Double Dog Doubt ...Conquering a Writer’s Enemy #1

Nothing excites me more than starting a new story.

The thrill of the blank screen. The heady sensation of creating something from nothing. The power of unlimited possibilities...

*record scratch*

The dread.

The doubt.

The chant:

“Please don’t let this be crud.”

“Please don’t let this be crud.”

“Please don’t let this be crud.”

Yup, nothing excites me more.

I go through these emotions every time I begin something new.

Every. Time.

And I still love it.

Sometimes, an idea strikes and I can pump out a ton of solid words.

Sometimes, there are days when I’m lucky if I can get ten words on a page (ten good words, that is). 

And sometimes...I can go for days or even weeks without writing anything new on that story. (I know. The horror, right?)

But if it’s one thing I’ve learned (or have to drill into my head every single day), is that inspiration comes on its own good time...AND only when it’s good and ready (which, now, makes me want a Good & Plenty, but not the licorice ones, you know the fruity ones with the...).

Sometimes, I just have to give myself permission to let my mind run away and hope it comes back in one piece know that—if the inspiration on that amazing story idea is real—it will return with a writing urge similar to being the ninth person on line in a public restroom after a three-hour bus trip.

And if that urge turns out to be a false alarm, well then it can just play nice with all the other unfinished Word docs just waiting to come out of my files (and head) one day.

But let me tell you, when that inspiration does come...there’s NOTHING ELSE LIKE IT! 

And you guys know what I'm talkin' about.

So, I dust off those doubts (apologize for cutting the person in line for the stall) and put myself back on the right chant:

The thrill of the blank screen.

The heady sensation of creating something from nothing.

The power of unlimited possibilities...

(‘cause that’s US, you guys. Writers).

We all have slow creative days and a backpack full of double dog doubts from time to time. The trick is to NOT let them hit your vulnerable targets and dunk your enthusiasm. The trick is to write at your own pace, keep your eyes on your own progress, and embrace every bit of support that this community has to offer.

It can kinda of feel like this, if you let it.

...Some days you might be the brusher and others, the brushee. Either way, I double dog dare you to let those doubts get you after that cat's face!

So, no matter what stage of the writing process you're in, just remember that you are not alone! There's a Me Too out there for every single step (and misstep) of a writer's journey.

Promise.

...This post has been brought to you by the letter P (for patience, persistence, passion, potty, pee, and positivity from a writer who’s hanging in just like you guys!). See? Told ya you weren't alone. (-:

#manamina 

xo 

Mel