Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
The awesome co-hosts for the May 7 posting of the IWSG are
The optional question for May is: Some common fears writers share are rejection, failure, success, and lack of talent or ability. What are your greatest fears as a writer? How do you manage them?
The imposter syndrome is something most creatives suffer from. I remember when we were in Atlanta for a work conference and went on a Gone with the Wind tour. We visited the apartment where she wrote the Pulitzer Prize winning book. She was terrified to show it to anyone and would hide the page when friends came to visit, sometimes in odd places such as under cushions.
When it hits me periodically, I have a couple of things I can fall back on. One is my Bummer Day file. It's where I store emails I've received from readers who have loved my books. The other is Ira Glass's take on creativity. I've been doing this for a while now, but it doesn't mean I don't still want to grow as an author, so the video below still applies.
What about you? What is your greatest fear as a writer?
Those emails from fans can really boost us on bad days.
ReplyDeleteRight?
DeleteLove that video. So true. When bad time strike, I like to go back to old emails and reviews as well -- the good ones. We're doing better than we think, eh?
ReplyDeleteThose old emails and reviews really help. I just wish we didn't tend to give more weight to the negative ones.
DeleteI like your way of dealing with imposter syndrome. I always used to feel it as an attorney when I sat in court waiting for my client's case to be called.
ReplyDeleteWow. I didn't think attorneys went through this but it's a very human thing, isn't it?
DeleteMust be nice receiving fan mail from readers! I sometimes get messages from college students who admire my translation work and see me as their role model, very flattering indeed.
ReplyDeleteIt's a big deal that they take the time to let you know. <3
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