My Writing Ramblings: Taking Myself Seriously?

It is amazing how quickly a week can go and how little you can actually achieve. It has been seven of those days that seems to have merged into one. Where the day job (or in my case this week has been my first lot of night shifts for months) has taken priority.

I have been trying to sneak bits and pieces in here and there. I’m still making my way through Emma. I am a little behind. I am not too worried about that. Reading Austen was never about how quickly I could get through them. If you’re reading along with me, how are you getting on?

I have been writing about two hundred words of a short story this week to make sure I at least write something. My planning has got to a stage where I need to sit down and map out plot so it is not something I have been able to do this week as I don’t want to rush it. I have done that before and it has not got me far. I am so tired from my shifts though that once I do get home, I just want to sleep. Surprisingly, I am not actually getting too worked up about it. I am still working my way through the plot in my head. That counts…right?

I’ve wanted to write a book for such a long time. I love creating stories so what stops me from sitting down and writing it? This is a question I ask myself all of the time. The answer is me. I get in my way.
All the new writers out there, do you ever feel like you’re a fraud? I feel like that a lot especially when I am in the company of what I call ‘proper writers.’ I feel like I am going to be found out any moment and be asked to leave; ‘Laura, you’re not a real writer. Leave and don’t come back.’

Despite wanting to write, I seem to not take myself seriously. I know, not a great strategy if I want to write a novel, eh.

The more I think about it and the more encouragement I do get from the fabulous writing community, having courage to write is very much tied in with the perception you have of yourself. If I see myself as a writer then I will be one and I will get over this crisis of confidence that has plagued me for years. If I believe I am a writer, the writing will come.

This reminds me of a great quote (yes, another one,) by Henry Ford.
‘Whether you think you can or think you can’t. You’re right.’

Until next week writing people.

by

Laura

I'm Laura. I started Novel Kicks back in 2009 as I wanted a place to discuss books and writing - two loves of my life. As someone who has anxiety, these two things give me, and I am sure countless others, a much needed escape.
There is a monthly book club, writing exercises, prompts, reviews, author interviews, competitions and guest posts. I cover many genres and I hope there is something for everyone.
I grew up by the sea in Dorset and currently live in Poole with my husband, Chris and three cats. I love writing and have a BA (Hons) in Creative Writing from Falmouth University. I am writing my first book. If only I could stop pressing delete. Chris has threatened to stop it from working. Haha.
I have always loved creative writing since I was in first school and would very much like to meet my teacher, Miss Sayers, to say thank you for all the encouragement she gave me then.
When not writing, I love reading, cats, Disney, singing (I can't sing but this doesn't stop me,) and falling into a good TV show or film. If I could step into any fictional world, it would be amongst the characters in ABC's Once Upon a Time.
I love reading many genres and discovering new authors.