Monday, March 9, 2020

For the Love of a Writer

As an instructor, writer, and dad, I’m using my stern, reprimanding voice with you. I’m not happy. There’s a select few who need a lecture from a father figure.

There can be one person always on your side. You. And yet, your negative self-talk continues incessantly until no one counters the pessimism falling from your lips and you begin to believe your own lies.

“I’m not good enough” is a thought I never want to hear from you again. Never again. There is not a single reason to ever utter those words. If I hear you say “can’t” I don’t want to see you in this writing game. Just get out. I’m serious. Turn in your writer card. Telling yourself you’re not worth it or that you can’t measure up ends today. You belong here. You’re a writer.

You have a God who sees your faults more clearly than anyone else and still believes in you. Why don’t you believe in yourself?

Look at me when I’m talking to you. Stop undermining what little resolve you have to finish your manuscripts. Life is hard enough—companies using propaganda to demoralize your confidence so you’ll buy their products, sickness and death, chore lists and demands on your time make this life ridiculously difficult. The self-talk tearing yourself down has no place in your life.

You’re a writer. To tell yourself otherwise means you let fear win.

Sometimes your faith is shaken and belief in God and self has never been lower. Those hard times you’ve been through are brutal. You’ve managed to stay afloat. That’s incredible. You’ve taken on the world and survived, one way or another. How dare you say that you’re not amazing. Life is out to kill you, and you’re still breathing. Your experiences belong in a novel.

The less you believe in yourself, the more you need to be writing. But you must tell yourself you deserve to be a writer. Because you do. You belong here.

You have something to write about, and if I hear one more peep out of you that you don’t belong here, I’m going to be very angry, because sometimes there’s no logic or ethics. It’s pure emotion. And this emotion is about believing in yourself, no matter what. The end.

Now, go get a hug from someone you love, let them squeeze you tight, and go write. I believe in you. God believes in you. So should you.

You're a writer. To tell yourself otherwise means you let fear win. @peterleavell #seriouslywrite #writerslife

God sees your faults and believes in you. Why don't you believe in yourself? @peterleavell #seriouslywrite #writerslife

For the love of a writer: The less you believe in yourself, the more you need to be writing. @peterleavell #seriouslywrite #writerslife


Peter Leavell, a 2007 graduate of Boise State University with a degree in history and currently enrolled in the University's English Lit Graduate program, as well as History Graduate program, was the 2011 winner of Christian Writers Guild's Operation First Novel contest, and 2013 Christian Retailing's Best award for First-Time Author. An author, blogger, teacher, ghostwriter, jogger, biker, husband and father, Peter and his family live in Boise, Idaho. Learn more about Peter's books, research, and family adventures at www.peterleavell.com