I’m writing this in notes on my phone, so this is new. 😊

I could wait until I grab my MacBook from home this arvo but this might be helpful to other writers (and my students) and I might forget what I wanted to say!

It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been in this industry self doubt is a thing.

I’ve met one writer (in all my years) who was 100% cock sure of his ability. Thing is, he couldn’t take criticism at all, not even the most gentlest of comments from an editor, and that was his downfall. He did not believe that his writing needed editing or any sort of help. Don’t be like that guy.

Arrogance is different to knowing your worth. Arrogance is not confidence. Arrogance has no place in the creative world. Or the world at all, if I’m being honest. 

But, that doesn’t mean you have to hide your talent under a rock and not believe in yourself. Far from it! Because if you don’t believe in yourself, who will?

If you are anything like me, you will have days of doubt. Feel like giving up. Wonder what the point is. Feel like you are bashing your head against a brick wall. Be quite sure you’ve forgotten how to write as you stare at the words you’ve already written.  Being a writer is fun, right? 

Then there are days that the words flow, your characters sing, you can’t type fast enough to get their story out, but you do. You do. And the euphoria of having written and the scenes dancing on the page boost you. 

Those are the moments to hold onto. They’re the ones that will get you through the doubt. 

And then some fucker says something mean just because they can and it hurts. It does. 

It happens to every writer who is published. (It happens to every creative person who puts themselves out there.)

You can’t please everyone. 

You might as well please yourself – write the story you want to write because you need to entertain yourself first. If you’re not entertained by your story why would anyone else be?

I learnt a long time ago to say, “I’m not for everyone.” And mean it. 

I say it to my students (on the first day). I am not for everyone. I will not lie to you and tell you everyone can write a book. They can’t. Technically you can teach someone to write a book but there’s more to it than the technical aspects of creating sentences – there’s far more to it than that. 

I do ask, ‘What’s your why?’

That’s a question that needs an answer. Because some answers will not sustain you during the long process of writing, querying, and gathering of rejections … 

I am not for everyone but if you like fast paced stories, characters that will stick with you, action, drama, and some laughs … welcome, I’ve written 24 books just for you.