The Two Demons of Despair

by Michelle Griep, @MichelleGriep

You're writing along, la-de-da-de-dah, all happiness and sunshine. Life is good. Unicorns are romping. Your manuscript is quite possibly one of the best you've ever written.

Then you get an email from an author buddy. They just landed a $20k book deal. At first, you're high-fivin' and fist-bumpin' and even tossing in a hip-check for congratulations.

But after the celebratory pat on the back for your buddy, two ugly demons perch on each side, right there on your shoulders, talons drawing blood. Their names? Jealousy and doubt.

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Writing Through Success

by Kara Isaac, @KaraIsaac

If you’d told me a few years ago what the title of this post would be I would have laughed. Writing through success? Sign me up for that to be a problem! Especially when I had practically earned degrees in writing through rejection and writing through disappointment!

In 2016 my debut novel, Close To You, and my sophomore novel, Can’t Help Falling, released six months apart. As I sit here typing they have clocked up between theman RWA RITA Award double final, Grace Award final, finalists in the Christian Retailing Best Awards and been shortlisted for two Inspy Awards.

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Will They Like My Writing?

Peter Leavell, a 2007 graduate of Boise State University with a degree in history, was the 2011 winner of Christian Writers Guild's Operation First Novel contest, and 2013 Christian Retailing's Best award for First-Time Author. Peter and his family live in Boise, Idaho. For entertainment, he reads historical books, where he finds ideas for new novels. For relaxation, he writes westerns. Whenever he has a chance, he takes his wife and two homeschooled children on crazy but fun research trips. Learn more about Peter's books, research, and family adventures at www.peterleavell.com.

Every writer has doubts.

Again. EVERY writer is mired in doubt.

You and I are sitting at my kitchen table, talking this through. We both have doubts. Sure, we’ve a few writing credits to our name. A blog here. Maybe a published book or a few articles. I’ve won an award or two. I share that one writer I spoke with is on his twelfth book and called me because he’s filled with doubts.

But not like our hero writer. Not like the one we emulate. Because she’s got it all together.

Ahhh, forget it. It’s been a brutal day at work, and I’m in no mood to write or talk, so I’m going for a jog. I'll talk to you in a bit. You head home.

My playlist rocks and rolls, pumping creative juices.

Cool winds brush across my skin, and my feet beat a steady rhythm to the music, awakening joy in my soul. But fears about my writing drive a frozen spike through any happiness. Worthless, pointless, unskilled and readerless—the doubts drift through my mind. My running slows and I lower my head. Writing is everything to me.

Then a song jars from my absurdly awesome playlist. Muppets.

Mahna Mahna. Do doo be-do-do.

A fun song, no doubt, but not for this run. I reach up to skip it.

Mahna Mahna. Do do-do do.

DON’T CHANGE THIS SONG

I pause. It’s God speaking. The song continues.

Mahna Mahna. Do doo be-do-do.

I hold my thumb on the clicker. LEAVE IT

Come on, God. I have some amazing music on this playlist. Some Christian tunes even.

LISTEN

I stop running and listen. There’s not a real word in the entire song. Mahna Mahna is just dribble. Worthless, pointless, unskilled, and amazing dribble. How could the writer of that silly song know the meaningless words would make millions upon millions of people happy?

My mouth opens wide. I play the song again as I sprint home to call you.

Listen, I say in a rush. It’s not about the work and the edits and the story. Sales aren’t our problem. Reviews…pshhh—we can’t control them—and they weren’t written for us, anyway. In fact, it’s not about us at all. God’s given us a passion. It’s inside us, and He wants us to write. That’s it. There’s nothing more. Sure, we’re going to do our best to learn the craft and market and stuff, but in the end, who knows how our writing will influence people? Yep, that’s right. Only God.  

Good point, you say. You end the call, sit down, and push away your doubts. Because you’re a writer. And the rest is in His hands.

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Slaying The Doubt Monster

The Doubt Monster is a wicked ugly creature that frequently attacks writers. But there are safety in numbers, so let’s link shields and fight back, shall we? 

Here is what we’re up against. . .

HORRIFIC DOUBT #1:

I stink at this writing game, as evidenced by my lack of attracting a publisher.

Maybe I should just give up.

For awhile, especially at the beginning of your writing journey, you hope that this time, this manuscript, will be the lucky winner. Rejection after rejection pounds those high hopes into the ground, making you wonder if you should just quit.

What’s the silver bullet for this particular beastie? Perseverance. Immersing yourself in a new manuscript is a great way to beat back this doubt because you’ll be too busy thinking about plot twists and character development to consider giving up.

INSIDIOUS DOUBT #2:

Other writers get published, but not me.

Maybe my writing is stupid.

It doesn’t matter if you’re Stephen King or Nicholas Sparks. Writers are all an insecure bunch. Why? Because they pour their heart and soul into a story, revealing inner secrets they’d never say out loud. When that work gets rejected, it is personal. There’s just no way around it.

But there is a stake that can be driven through this ugly monster’s heart. It’s called sharpening your craft.

If you continue to learn and hone your writing skill, this particular doubt will simply turn into a lie. You can always choose to believe the lie if you like, but you won’t have to. Your writing won’t be stupid if you continue your writerly education by attending workshops, going to conferences, and reading craft books.

So go ahead and take that online course. Pick up a new how-to from Writers Digest. Attend a local writers group and glean some new writing tips. This is one monster you’ll have to slay with your own muscle and a little sweat.

LOW-BLOW DOUBT #3:

I keep writing, keep submitting, and keep getting rejected.

Maybe God wants me to be doing something else.

Honest truth? Maybe He does.

But maybe He doesn’t.

In a freakish sort of way, this doubt is actually good for you. It keeps you on your knees, seeking God’s will for how you manage the time He’s given you.

I don’t know if God wants you to be a writer, but I do know this. . . He wants you to put Him first, above writing, above anything. When you obsess over publication, networking, marketing, or anything other than Him, it’s called idolatry. And if that’s the case, then yes, you should be doing something else. You should be focusing on Him.

It’s healthy to check your heart motivations now and then to discover where your priorities lie. If this doubt rears it’s ugly head and drives you to your knees, that’s a good thing.

It’s not, however, good to wallow in this doubt. Don’t consort with this beastie and make him your best pal. If you can honestly say that you’re putting God first, and still the desire to write doesn’t go away, then pull out your silver pen and drive it right into the monster’s heart.

Sure, there are lots more doubts lurking out there in the dark, but starting with these 3 biggies will give you the edge to tackle those creepers. What doubt monster will you slay next?

Michelle’s been writing since she first discovered blank wall space and Crayolas...professionally, however, for the past 10 years. Her recent release is A HEART DECEIVED, a gothic regency put out by David C. Cook (June 2013). If you’d like to keep up with her escapades, you can find her at www.michellegriep.com or www.writerofftheleash.blogspot.com or feel free to stalk her on Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest.

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Slaying the Doubt Monster

Call it stress. Name it fear. But if you shine a flashlight into the darkest corner of your heart, I suspect you'll find what most writers encounter baring its fangs at you.

Doubt.

This wicked ugly creature frequently attacks writers, especially during November. Why? NANOWRIMO…when dutiful author wannabes everywhere are typing their little fingers to nubs and wondering if their hard work is worth it.

There’s no better way to slay this dragon than meeting it head on. So slap on some armor and let’s sattack the top 3 doubts most writers struggle with.

HORRIFIC DOUBT #1:

I stink at this writing game, as evidenced by my lack of garnering a publisher.

Maybe I should just give up.

Okay, so I’m not going to lie. Landing a contract and getting paid cash is definitely a badge of success. But it’s not the only one. Perhaps your writing journey isn’t about landing a mainstream publisher. What if your writing is meant to encourage your critique partners? Is that not valid? Maybe your writing career will spin off into a speaking career. I know several writers who gave up writing because they found out speaking was their true calling.

Honest truth…either God is sovereign or He isn’t. If He is, you’ll get that contract when He says so. It’s not about your timing. It’s about His.

What to do in the mean time? What is the silver bullet for this particular beastie? Perseverance. Immersing yourself in a new manuscript is a great way to beat back this doubt because you’ll be too busy thinking about plot twists and character development to consider giving up.

INSIDIOUS DOUBT #2:

Other writers get published, but not me.

Maybe my writing is stupid.

Let’s face it. Writers are an insecure bunch. Why? Because they pour their heart and soul into a story, revealing inner secrets that they’d never say out loud. When that work gets rejected, it is personal. There’s just no way around it.

But there is a stake that can be driven through the skull of this particular doubt. It’s called sharpening your craft.

If you continue to learn and hone your writing skill, this doubt will simply turn into a lie. You can always choose to believe the lie if you like, but you won’t have to. Your writing won’t be stupid if you continue your education by attending workshops, going to conferences, and reading craft books.

So, go ahead and take that on-line course. Pick up a how-to from Writer'sDigest. Attend a local writer’s group and glean some new writing tips.

LOW-BLOW DOUBT #3:
I keep writing, keep submitting, and keep getting rejected.
Maybe God wants me to be doing something else.

In a freakish sort of way, this doubt is actually good for you. It keeps you on your knees, seeking God’s will for how you manage the time He’s given you.

I don’t know if God wants you to be a writer, but I do know this…He wants you to put Him first, above writing, above anything. When you obsess over publication, networking, or anything other than Him, it’s called idolatry. And if that’s the case, then yes, you should be doing something else. You should be focusing on Him.

It’s healthy to check your heart motivations now and then to discover where your priorities lie. If this doubt rears it’s ugly head and prods you in that direction, that’s a good thing.

It’s not, however, good to wallow in this doubt. Don’t consort with this beastie and make him your best pal. If you can honestly say you’re putting God first, and still the desire to write doesn’t go away, then pull out your silver pen and drive it right into the monster’s heart.

Being honest and admitting to our doubts is the first step in fighting against them.

Michelle Griep’s been writing since she first discovered blank wall space and Crayolas…professionally, however, for the past 10 years. Her latest release, UNDERCURRENT, is available by Risen Books. You can find her at: Writer Off the Leash, www.mmgriep.com or on Twitter, Facebook, or 

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