So how do I put the Big D on the last train out of town?
First: Pray. Surrender your writing to God and let Him remind you that not only did He give you these stories for a reason, but also He’ll equip you for the challenge. I love Debby Giusti’s Writer’s Prayer and use it constantly.
Second: Write. Write anything, no matter how lousy. Give yourself permission to let loose and send the internal editor on vacation. Be totally wild and over the top. Torture your heroine or give her the most gorgeous hero or whatever brings back the joy of writing. Most of all, just do it. Which brings me to…
Third: Pretend That It’s Just for Me. I don’t know about you, but the pressure of writing for readers or editors can make me tense. Okay, maybe it’s just me. I have no problem when the writing is going great, but when dredging up each word feels like digging a lake with a teaspoon, I tell myself that this story is for my eyes only. Yep, I psyche myself out. Sadly, it usually works. If not…
Fourth: Remember Who is in Charge. This should probably be number one. God is Creator of all, including stories, and if He never gives me another one, I must trust that He has something more important for me to do.
Fifth: Friends. Not just any friends—writer friends, those amazing treasures who both encourage and give the much needed kick in the behind when necessary. They remind me of steps 1-4 when Doubt has my mind so confused that I can’t think straight. Cherish them, for they’re priceless.
I’d love to hear what you do to derail Doubt.
