If I whittle away all my excuses,
I’d have to say the two biggest issues are self-doubt and perfectionism in my work.
Since my early teens, I’ve struggled with depression. Writing became a way to combat the darkness. It helped to sort out the confusion and the emotions that wanted to overwhelm me.
I dabbled in poetry, but I learned it was beneficial to work through problems by distancing myself through fiction. It helps to work out issues through characters who are going through similar situations.
Not that I’ve ever faced what most of my characters do. I’ve never opened my closet and had a dead body fall out or traveled through time, but there are basic emotions we all deal with on a daily basis.
It’s a Daily Fight to Tame the Self-Doubt Beast
Writing can be lonely, and it lends itself to self-doubt when you’re sharing a part of yourself with the world.
It’s a daily fight to tame the beast. I find a great support system and beta readers are helpful. I’ve been blessed to have those who care enough to let me know when I get off base and encourage me when I hit the mark.
Another challenge I have is overcoming the need to get each chapter perfect before moving on. This slows me down, and I can easily find myself in a vicious cycle of questioning each word choice.
However, the positive is that spending time editing as I go helps me to define the larger picture. Often, I wind up in a direction that I would not have otherwise followed if I’d waited until the end to tidy up the writing.
I write organically (aka pantster), and the more times I go through, the clearer the picture becomes. It’s part of my process but definitely has its drawbacks.
I tell myself I am striving for quality, not quantity, and while this is true, it also affords me extra time to drag my feet. It keeps me from hitting a daily word count.
Don’t Be Afraid to Talk Back to Your Inner Voice
I find inspiration and strength through my faith. It’s always been extremely important to me. It’s my anchor on days I feel I couldn’t write my way out of a wet paper bag.
I read the Bible and pray daily. I’ve taught myself to step back and take each frustration and evaluate the voices of doubt compared to scripture and what I need to accomplish. I’m learning to use doubt as a tool to get to the heart of my story.
Don’t be afraid to talk back to your inner voice. Doubt comes in two flavors: conviction and condemnation. One way to tell the difference between the two is that conviction is there to help you.
If the chapter/scene doesn’t work, I ask myself what I can do to fix it. If the voice whispers I’m not good enough, I asked how I can make myself better prepared. Condemnation, on the other hand, steals your joy and offers you nothing in return.
My Writing Buddies Think I’m a Rock Star
Also, Baxter and Lacy, my writing buddies, are by my side at all times.
A good tummy rub (theirs, not mine) and some cuddle time does wonders for my mood. They love unconditionally, and they think I’m a rock star.
Also my boys keep me grounded. I have a senior and freshman. It’s a challenge to juggle writing and teaching homeschooling at times, but well worth the effort.
Tips That Help Me Limit My Migraines
At some point during the week, I’m going to get a migraine. That’s just the way it is. It’s so much more than a headache, and I usually wind up missing a day (or two) of writing.
For years, I powered through, but I’ve found this only prolonged them.
Tips that help me:
- Drink plenty of water. I resisted this for a long time. I’ve never been a big fan, but I found these wonderful Blackberry Lemonade mixes to add, and they help me to get my daily intake. The water has been huge in cutting down the number of headaches.
- Get the right amount of sleep. Too much or too little sleep can be an issue. I do my best to go to bed and get up at the same time. I stick to a schedule whenever I can, but life happens. We can’t always follow through, but it’s a good rule of thumb, even if you don’t suffer from headaches.
- Know your trigger foods. I avoid dark chocolate and pepperoni. Snacking and eating better helps with the brain fog. If I get stressed, I go for the munchies, and that never works in my favor. Baby carrots and apples have a nice crunch. Great way to work out frustrations when I get stuck.
When You Think Outside the Box, the Possibilities are Endless!
I never know what will spark my imagination. It helps when my workspace is clean and I have some organization, but inspiration strikes at any time or any place. My brain never goes on vacation.
I find myself studying people, watching landscapes, dissecting every day reactions. Many times throughout my day, I realize there a running commentary circulating in my head as I attempt to nail down descriptions.
I enjoy researching different aspects of my story—especially if it has history involved. I love writing about my home state, Virginia. It’s rich in beauty and quite diverse with different seasons, dialects, and personalities. I love to share the unique qualities through writing.
When you think outside the box, the possibilities are endless!
There Must Be a Little Insanity in Each of Us Writers
Often, I ask myself why I put myself through this. Am I crazy? Probably, but that’s beside the point.
Writing is tough. Not the actual work but the act of putting your heart and soul out to the public. I don’t believe in writer’s block. I think it’s more the fear of where to go and how to get there.
Sometimes you know where you want to go but may not recognize the best way to express it in a relatable way readers will enjoy. Agents, editors, and readers can rip your dreams to shreds in a second.
The more I think about it, the more I’m positive there must be a little insanity in each of us who venture down this path, lol. If you want to pursue this dream, you better make sure you have a pretty strong WHY pushing you. So . . . if not fame, if not money, why?
When I Start to Fall In Love with the Characters, I Can’t Wait to Introduce Them to the World
For me, it’s the magic that happens when characters come to life. It doesn’t matter what their stories are, but more who they are, how they grow, and how they handle what life throws at them.
I start out with a little of myself in each character I write, but the fantastic thing is how they become their own people. I’m often surprised at their reactions, and I have to dig to find out more about them.
When I start to fall in love with the characters, I can’t wait to introduce them to the world. That’s how I push past the urge to give up most days.
Okay, so this is my hokey definition of success.
My greatest triumph as a writer is the ability to transport a reader to a different place through the story. When someone falls in love with the characters or tells me the story touched them in some way, it makes my day.
Money and fame, yeah . . . they’re awesome, but I find the most pleasure in staying true to my readers and my characters.
Advice for a Young Writer: Read As Much as You Can
I don’t know that I’m qualified to give advice, but if asked, I’d give an enthusiastic go for it! I’m a cheerleader at heart, and I would never want to discourage anyone from a dream.
I’d also recommend reading as much as you can. That might be redundant advice for young writers because most who write are readers by nature. But maybe read outside your genre, read on the publishing process, and take writing courses to fine-tune your craft.
We never stop learning. It takes more than talent; it takes persistence. If you’re willing to put in the work, I think anything’s possible!
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Born and raised in the heart of Virginia, Michelle Kidd is an author, quilter, painter, and an avid reader. Michelle lives with her husband of 28 years, two sons, and two adorable dogs. When not writing, she enjoys homeschooling and time with family. A lifelong writer, she enjoys weaving faith through her stories.
Although she’s late dipping her toe into the online world of writing, her love of words started at an early age. From the moment she opened the pages of Charlotte’s Web, she knew there was a power she longed to unlock. Those first sentences gripped her and pulled her right into the Arable’s kitchen. To her young mind, it was magic. Words have the power to connect like nothing else.
Soon after, she penned her first book with crayon and tied it together with string. Michelle enjoys hearing from her readers and learning how the stories and characters have impacted them.
For more information on Michelle and her work, please see her website and Amazon author page, or connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.
Timeless Moments:
What’s hidden in the dark will be brought to light . . .
When Jewel Wiltshire marries, she vows to love, honor, and obey. Little does she know that her husband’s secrets will push her faith far beyond anything she can imagine. For two years she remains a prisoner until a mysterious stranger appears offering friendship and hope.
Jack Vines has the Victorian home of his dreams–or so it seems until he discovers an intriguing beauty lurking in the shadows. Stunned, he finds they share the house but live a century apart. She is a prisoner of the past, shrouded in a world of dark mysteries. He holds the keys that will protect their future. When her letters suddenly stop, can he unravel the mystery that threatens to alter both their lives forever?
Timeless Moments is a spine-tingling suspense laced with faith and love that you won’t want to put down. This stirring novel seamlessly weaves together two characters in an intricate balance of emotion and hope that all things are possible.
– Kindle Scout Winner –
Available on Amazon.