Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Who says I can't?

I'd like to digress a minute and talk a little about confidence. 

It's tough to put yourself out there and claim yourself a writer, or an editor. Or anything, really that's outside your comfort zone. Particularly when faced with the overwhelming successes of your peers. Everyone else seems to be more qualified, more published and more confident than you.

You can be worried about what people will think of you. You're wondering if they're thinking, 'Who the hell does she think she is?' It's daunting. Many great writers never make it, because they're afraid. Fear, among other things, is the killer of all creativity. 

Never let anybody tell you, 'You can't do it.' My philosophy is this, 'Think, therefore I am.' Words I live by. I mean, come on, what right do I have to tell you how to write, or edit? Well, I've learned a thing or two along the way. How to write, how to edit, and how to be my own person. 

I want to share this knowledge with you, so hopefully, you'll wind up with great work, self-confidence and the ability to move forward in your life. This blog is not just about writing and editing, it's also about you and what I can do to help you believe in yourself. Because that belief, my friends, is the greatest tool a creative person needs. 

There is always going to be doubt, fear, lack of confidence and procrastination to deal with. Point is, rise above it and high-kick it outta here! Often, we're the ones sabotaging ourselves. Don't do that anymore. Write what you want. Seek out a publisher. Say you're a writer. Believe you're a writer. Remember, just write. Don't worry about the mistakes, or being word perfect. Not right now, anyway. We can always fix it later.

This one, I'd like to end with an apt piece about perception. 


Daniel

am here

how wary, you have not noticed?

my feet plant roots

my thoughts have focus to which i cleave

mine, is a provincial sphere

see?

i desire anonymity not

despite your need to bury me, i exist

in the shadows, you placed

amorphous, i became

yet a revelation

i know

i am beauty

i am free

i am pain yes,

but i am alive

i am your son, autistic or not

and i am au fait with the word of love

call me Daniel, just once

i cannot speak

or, i would call you, Dad

 



3 comments:

  1. Nice blog! Love the poem, Megs. Saying "I'm a writer" was so hard for me for a very long time. I remember my sisters saying it for me when people would ask what I do and I'd mumble something else. Now I say it loud and proud heheh it's a confidence thing, and in this industry it's so important not to lose it...ok, so mine does wander off now and then BUT it's still in training :p

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  2. Oh, you are so right, Dem, it does wander off. Half the battle is being able to say, 'I'm a writer.' Once we can say it with conviction, we're on our way. Persistence is another one, but I'll talk about that in another post. hehe. :-) You are a fabulous writer!

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  3. Right back atcha, darling. Looking forward to your next post!

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