One of the interesting things about writing is there is always room for improvement.
In my first semester of university, I wrote an essay for a journalism class. The feedback from that essay made me realize that my writing was not as good as I thought it was. Of course, I didn’t continue with journalism (turns out I’m very shy and hate interviewing people) but when I changed back to literature, I knew that I needed to improve my writing quickly if I was going to make it that year.
That has been one of the things that has kept me from writing until now: always doubting my writing ability. Self-doubt has kept me from writing all these years. That, and I didn’t have the option to self-publish on Amazon when I was younger. Back then, all you could buy from them was just traditionally published books.
Being a published writer has truly been a lifelong dream of mine yet I still doubt myself every step of the way. I’m a part of several Facebook groups for writers and I remember seeing someone who recently published their first book and immediately after felt imposter syndrome. How often have I asked, am I a good enough writer to publish books? Even when I was writing my first children’s book, I battled with self-doubt every step of the way. I have to really thank my older brother for our monthly video chats to update each other on the progress of our books. It’s one of the reasons why I dedicated my first book to him. Without us encouraging each other, I don’t think I would have gone all the way to publish.
I have to actively tell myself to just start writing, even if what I’m writing isn’t that good. It’s ok to write something but then hate it. You can always start over and try again. It’s getting over that initial fear that keeps you from writing, that is truly the hardest part of it all. I’m currently writing my third children’s book and the feeling of peace I get when I write encourages me to continue.
I don’t have plans of slowing down my writing or publishing any time soon.