"Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt. "~ William Shakespeare
As pirates, we face traitors in everyday battle. We overcome them, force them to walk the plank, then we smile as we glance over the ship’s rail to see them washed away by the forceful current of the ocean tide.
Many times in my life, I’ve attempted to remove failure from my vocabulary. I’ve seen people use the term failure to measure a person’s worth, and to me that is so wrong. Can you really call a person a failure until you’ve walked in their shoes?
As writers, we allow doubt to seep into our minds, and begin to question if we will ever succeed. Doubt can sneak up on you when you least expect it, tearing down aspirations and the confidence you have for your WIP. It explains why one day you feel you’ve written the best 5K you’ve ever produced and the next day you have no idea what you were thinking. The most confident writer has doubts; they have moments when they question their ability. It’s normal, we all do.
How you deal with doubt defines your progress.
The answer to doubt is as simple as the universal answer to most obstacles writers face. You continue to write, and then you write some more. I face all difficult tasks in my life in the same manner. I measure the difficulty of the task, and then I question my ability. Before I ever attempted to write a book, I asked myself why I should even try. The answer is because I enjoy writing and I have nothing to lose by trying. If I don’t publish, I still have the experience of the journey. No matter how successful I become I will always be a writer. Writing has become as much a part of me as my personality.
I don’t view a writer as a failure because of the inability to publish. It’s measured by how we choose to perfect our craft. We set ourselves up for failure if we never take our peer’s advice, never learn from our mistakes and instead make excuses for every criticism voiced about our work. There are so many resources available for writers; we have no excuse for not having a grasp on our profession. If you research long enough you will find the answers. If you ask questions often enough you will become empowered. If you write long enough you will hit your stride. If you network and make yourself visible, you will become a familiar name. If you visit a scene where your WIP takes place then you write it honestly. If you believe in the story you want to tell then you will strive harder to get it told.
Shakespeare had a beautiful point; treat the doubts in your mind as traitors. Why not use the negative as a positive? Write your doubts into a corner, and then every time you glance at that corner use them to fuel your desire for success.
How do you view failure? Do you base it on the inability to publish, or what you fail to learn on the journey? How do you keep doubts at bay when you become discouraged about your WIP? Who views doubt as an internal mechanism for alerting us that we’ve veered off course?
36 comments:
Failure is not believing in yourself. It has nothing to do with not publishing. Writing a book is a huge accomplishment! And perhaps we forget that once we've achieved that and move on and meet nothing but self doubt with rejection? I dunno. It's too early for me to ramble.
Great post. I think the problem of doubt festers because there is the difference between art and commerce.You can pour your Shakespearean heart out on paper, but it might not suit. Writing is a creative endeavor, but to sell it needs to fit into a practical, commercial niche.
I do believe publication is predicated on many things, but the biggest one to me seems to be luck. We've all read books that weren't polished or even worth printing. If you're serious, you need to keep typing through the doubt, reservations, rejections. And even if your name is never on a book spine, you will have played a game worth playing.
Tiffany- I agree we must believe in ourselves to succeed. Completing a WIP is a huge accomplishment.
Maggie- I totally agree, what you think is the next great American novel can be viewed in the literary world as not marketable. That doesn't mean it's not the best thing ever written, it's just a cold hard fact of the business. Your last statement needs to be imprinted on a t-shirt!
Awesome blog. And I think you've been reading my emails to Pam. *LOL*
What do I think 'failure' is? I'm not very enlightened as Tiff, Maggie--or PM Lisa. Personally I think I've failed if I never get published. Or become as prolific and well-adored as Queen Pirate Nora. (That commerce thing, rearing its ugly head at me. Can I help it that I look upon this venture as a means to leave this Sucketh-Ass Day Job forever?)
If I choose to pursue a more "enlightened" view, perhaps failure is failing to see that while WRITER is a great part of you as an individual, it's not the only thing that defines you, and it is not the reason why people love you. And I fail at remembering that on an almost daily basis--since WRITER is probably the coolest thing about me and I don't want to be remembered for anything else. *LOL*
I don't know if I fear failure because of not getting published. I fear failure in regards to my writing. I fear not telling the story to it's full potential. I fear waking up one morning and wanting to give it up. I fear failure with my determination, my drive and eventually my goal.
Moving forward each day, writing even when you feel like you don't know the story anymore. Working through learning your characters. Failure is a part of life. It's always on my mind, but you have to live through it, push past it and beat the odds.
You're an awesome person all together Hellion. Being a writer is just a part of that awesome package.
Now that should be a quote from TN but it's not sadly. LOL
*LOL* Don't worry; Terri will point out there were no good writers in TN--and that's why it's not part of the quotes.
This is creepy. Just last night I started typing an email that said I GIVE UP! (in summation at least) and then changed my mind. Again. Weird that you read my mind.
I don't believe I'm a failure if I never publish. I will be if I never finish. That's where I get freaked. At this point, I've spent lots of money, time and energy on this endeavor and to give up would mean I pissed that all down the drain. That would piss me off to no end.
In my head cold fogged/self-doubting mind, I believed there was no way I could write a good book. I might write something, but it won't be good and that would also piss me off to no end.
I know I'm rambling. Bottom line, I checked out another author group blog last night and was inspired to keep going. I pulled out the notebook where I started creating a synopsis/outline/list of scenes kind of thing months ago and actually liked what I read. That helped.
I've brought the notebook to work with me and I'm going to keep it with me all the time hoping I will add to it. I'm also changing my room around and posting the letters GH over my comp. I AM going to finish this book and I AM going to enter in into this year's GH contest. I AM!!
And I want the t-shirt with Maggie's line on it.
Great blog, PM Lissa!
I love the idea of treating doubts like traitors. Generally, when I start doubting myself, I accept them like they're the right thoughts and the thoughts that tell me I can become a writer are the wrong ones.
I always forget that writer isn't something you "become;" writer is just something you are.
I really have to get a hold of my thought patterns, ya know?
Thanks for the jab (er, kick in the pants) of inspiration today, especially before the weekend when I hope to have some time to write!
Marnee said: writer isn't something you "become;" writer is just something you are.
I want that on a shirt too.
I'm going to pretent TN stands for Tennessee and say there are some fantastic writers there. *sticks fingers in ears* lalalalalalalalalalalalalalala
Ter - you can't quit! You're my "we're going to make it to the GH this year" partner!!
And you can't be hard on yourself about the money/time you spend doing it. Writing is an exercise in understanding the human condition. Everything we do as writers helps us to "get" what it means to be part of mankind. That's never an effort in vain.
Mar - it's years of programming. Living hand to mouth combined with the Catholic guilt leave a strong mark on everything. I can afford the stuff I do or I wouldn't do it. And as long as I feel like it's not for nothing, I can live with it.
But if I spend all this money and it never amounts to anything tangible (which does not mean I make all the money back), then the guilt might just kill me. LOL!
WE WILL MAKE IT TO THE GH!!! I need to run those words on a loop in my head. LOL!
*Jumping up and down*
We are such a prolific group today. Marnee I'm with Ter I want your line on a t-shirt too! And you're welcome for the inspiration. Anytime chica:)
Hellion, I haven't read any of your work besides the fanficion you've posted, but I think you underestimate your worth and talent as a writer. There's nothing wrong with thinking the coolest thing about you is being a writer...(I know different and so do the other wenches)Internally I've always wanted to be adored by the masses. *g* I don't think that makes us any different than any other writer. As you said, who wouldn't want to be the next Miss Nora. And personally aside from your writing I adore your sense of humor.
Ter- glad to hear we're still channeling one another, maybe some of that new drive you've discovered will transplant in my mind:)
Sin- You're the most driven writer I've ever met, and your talent astounds me. You are the reason I'm even here, and I'll never forget that.
Ah, good old fashioned Catholic guilt. :) I feel your pain!
GH GH GH!! Here we come!!
All right, then, so are we all going for the GH this year then?
Dear me, I'm going to have to settle on a story idea. The A&E one is frustrating me so much I don't want to even bother. I want to write on something else. ANYTHING else. Roadkill perhaps.
GH GH GH!!! I'm going to start every post that way. Kidding.
Sounds like we need a plotting session. The Captain needs new blood!
I view Failure is a part of life. I do not see people who have managed to avoid failure as successful people. I look at them as Unsuccessful. Any one can avoid failure. All they have to do is avoid Living. Corita Kent said it best… “Life is a series of moments/to live each one is to succeed.” And I truly believe that “Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life
as by the obstacles which one has overcome while trying to succeed. “ Booker T. Washington
If you ask questions often enough you will become empowered? Yes that’s true. And if you ask questions often enough you will also become Enlightened. Utilize the resources that are availed to you. Go to workshops and seminars. Listen to advice. However that doesn’t mean that you should change the essence of who you are.
I want to hear Your Voice.
Not your impersonation of someone else’s.
“I don’t know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody.” Bill Cosby
This line made me smile:
“I don’t view a writer as a failure because of the inability to publish.”
IMO
A successful writer writes Things that people want to Read.
There are thousands of writer’s sites on the net… Thousands. And everyday I chose this site as one of the places that I stop by… so that I can read what you Pirates have written. You might not have a publishing contract… a place on the NYT Bestseller list…. or a royalty check.
What you do have is a loyal reader… yes call me a fan girl. And I know that I’m not the only one who admires your work … your Writing. So that makes you… all of you A Success.
“When people call me a success, I feel falsely accused. I might feel successful if I could write one book that mattered.” Gloria Steinem.
I think that it’s important to note… Gloria never said that the book had to get published to “matter”.
And
She never said “matter” to whom.
If your writing matters to you, the writer, then really … that’s all that counts. IMO
And that makes You a Success.
Everything else is just
Well…
That’s a subject for a whole other blog isn’t it?
Julie
I think it was Fitzgerald who said, "Never confuse a single defeat with a final defeat." I fail at something everyday--as a teacher, as a writer, as a human being. But tomorrow means I get to try again, and my expectation is always that I will do better. If I don't succeed, maybe my failure will at least be smaller. The final failure can happen only if I quit trying.
And I know I sound cheesy and smug, but this is the way I feel. This attitude has kept me going through some very tough times in my writing and in my life.
Wow. Julie, I don't know who you are but I like you. I like you a lot right now. We so need a voice of reason and wisdom around here.
Maybe keeping your eye on the prize is less important than determining what that prize is. Thanks so much for lurking and coming out of lurkdom to leave such a great comment. My pirate heart is swelling with gratitude. *g*
Good point, Janga. I fail often enough but at the risk of sounding like Annie - the sun will come out tomorrow. Biggest thing I've learned since my divorce, which in many respects can be seen as a huge failure.
I choose to focus on the fact I can't change the past but I have survived it, recovered and even thrived since. Life would most likely be very boring if we never faced challenges or set backs. How do you learn who you are and what you're made of if you're never tested?
Welcome Julie #1 Fan--I'm so printing your comment and taping it to my computer. Thank you.
I love Julie. Our #1 fan makes me want to find her just to give her a big ole pirate hug. Thanks for coming out of lurkdom Julie! And thanks so much for stopping by everyday!
I know Hellion you said pirates don't hug, but this is a rare occasion. I swear it.
*whistling*
Hm, the GH...
*running off below deck to find the rum*
PS. Julie you gave me a lot to think about this weekend!
terrio, I must confess I like to wander about the net as an unknown. It’s just my nature I guess. I like to walk softly and carry a big stick…. Or should I say a big Shtick? And We do have a mutual friend. That would be Ms J Perry Stone.
Just tell her that you met a “Julie” And she has “a voice of reason and wisdom “. Yeah, tell her that.
Pppppfffff….You don’t mind swearing do you?
And Mshellion I have been a fan of yours for years. Years. Ever since I first read your stuff on Squawk Radio. Though I do believe you went by a different name when you first hung around that site. I on the other hand am still “me”.
Oh, if you know J then you're even cooler than I thought. And no, I don't mind swearing. LOL! Quite prefer it actually...
*grinning widely at Julie* Why do I get the feeling if we told that to J Perry, she'd have the same reaction as if I told some victim to tell Terri that they thought *I* was the voice of reason? *LOL*
Squawk Radio? Really! (I still miss that place. *sighs* Those ladies were hilarious.)
Cap'n, we are all going to the GH this year!! And of course, you know where to find us for brainstorming.
Julie - hi and thank you sooo much for jumping out of lurkdom to give us your insight. You have no idea how much it touches us to know that we reach people. Thank you for that huge compliment.
Janga said: "The final failure can happen only if I quit trying." This is exactly how I feel. I don't think it's smug; I think it gives me purpose. Some days my writing sparkles, other days it bores me. I guess that it's just working through those moments where I don't feel as good about it.
Julie,
Thank you for making me smile:) I admire your words of wisdom, and praise.I needed this today.It means a lot to know that my efforts and words are reaching and affecting more than just the faithful writers who comment. And even if you don't always comment know that your following is very much appreciated.
*Hugs*
Lisa
Just dropped bye to see how the wind is blowing your sails (do I mean sales!)...and as its the end of the week I'm exhausted.
I think I've been leaking energy through one of my chakra points and need reviving. Terri, tell me I'm wonderful even if I'm not and gimme a tot of rum please before I expire!
Nice blog Lisa! I love it when pirates get philosophical. *g*
I think that each individual must have their own ambition and personal success is measured by the degree to which that is achieved.
In the world of scientific publishing, success is measured by funding committees. They count the pages published in high impact journals. No measure of quality or innovation or brilliance is used...it would be too difficult and time consuming to assess. Consequently a lone genius can languish for years before the creativity finally bursts forth like an exploding star.
Likewise for pirates and other fledgling novelists I think that the act of creating something original, amusing and unique provides its own reward. You are all artists after all and the best artists often suffer and struggle for recognition as they start out. Publication is just icing ... you don't need it if it doesn't come.
I love to read your work anyway!
*raised eyebrow* Q do you insinuate we wenches sell ourselves in the purely piratical sense? Would you like a ride, seeing how you're exhausted from your week?
Q, thanks for stopping by! I'm not Ter, but I can show you to the rum. That is if Hellion's not commandeered it all.
Thank goodness it's Friday. 2.5 hours to go until quitting time.
I saved a bottle of single malt, a bottle of scotch, and a bottle of port--I wasn't sure what our dear Q would be a mind of once he visited again. He's welcome to any of those...though if he still wants rum, he'll have to negotiate! :)
Thanks Quantum!
Sounds like scientific publishing is just as daunting a business as publishing a work of fiction:)
Glad you stopped by.
My darling, Q! Come over here and give me a hug. You know I miss you when you stay away so long. Of course you are wonderful, you're my never failing ray of light. Never a dull electron when you're around. (Mind you I have no idea what an electron is...)
Any drink you want, my dear. How about a body shot? *w* If you're not too exhausted from all that stuffy scientific stuff...
*g*
What a fabulous ship and such hospitable pirates!
Don't worry about electrons Terri...I don't know what a boatswain does....but I like it *w*
I don't get this sort of welcome in the office.....single malt will be perfect Hellion,...and guard that other bottle with your life.... Never know when you might want to send a message eh....does Sin know how to use that sextant by the way?.
Well I envy the pirates life...and you write books!
Boatswain is kinda like the accountant. She keeps count of the stores and divvies them up.
Sin is quite versed in the sextant...but then we all are. Such an important, uh, tool as that--well, you wouldn't want to NOT be versed in it.
*hands him the single malt* The scotch will be kept for a later time then.
And I loved Terri's ray of light reference. I had cathode-ray-tube science note flashbacks. *LOL*
Hellion
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