6 Ways to Boost Your Confidence as a Writer

“What can I do to boost my confidence as a writer?” This is one of the top questions I hear from clients. Just because we love to write doesn’t mean that it always comes easily. Usually, if something’s worth the effort, it’s not effortless. And when things are feeling difficult, there are often some other sticky companions that come along for the ride. We encounter roadclocks like fear, comparison, negative self-talk, procrastination. And all of these can zap our creative confidence, leaving us feeling uninspired to write, and more prone to binging that new series on Netflix during a long weekend (which could actually be a good idea from time to time — more on the lull of creativity later).

So what can you DO, in the actual moment, when you are feeling like your confidence is waning? Here are 6 ideas to help you boost your confidence as a writer:

1. Give yourself some credit!

When we are stuck in a confidence slump, it can be helpful to take inventory of all the things (big and small) that you have accomplished. I am a big fan of the “credit report.” Sometimes we can have a harsh inner-critic, or a voice in our mind that might bend the truth. It’s helpful to remember that this inner voice isn’t necessarily telling the truth. When we look at the FACTS we might find there is much more to feel confident about than we first realized.

A Credit Report is simply a list of accomplishments. And it’s something you can do right now to give you a boost! On a piece of paper (or in a notebook, on your phone, or in your reminder journal) write down one of these prompts:

• This week I was able to:

• The past year I:

• Professionally or as a writer I have:

Now fill in as much as you can think of. You can even set a timer for 3 minutes if it helps you focus. And when you’re done, take a moment to look at all of your accomplishments. How does this make you feel? If it’s hard to look at this list without self-criticism (and it is for some people—that’s totally normal), just ask yourself “How would it feel if I gave myself just 5% more credit?” Or “How can I feel confident about my accomplishments for just 30 seconds?” The key here is to start acknowledging your achievements a little at a time and become aware of how much you actually ARE doing!

2. Ebrace Your Talent

You are ALREADY a writer. Even if you aren’t sure you have the innate talent. I have a truth bomb for you. Talent is overrated. In 1926, psychologist Catherine Morris Cox published a study of three hundred recognized geniuses, from Da Vinci to Einstein. Cox identified a number of qualities beyond intelligence that predicted ‘greatness’. Harvard researcher Angela Duckworth boiled these characteristics down to a quality she called ‘grit’ – ‘the perseverance and passion for a long-term goal’. If you can stop worrying about your talent and start focusing on writing, you can make progress! Imposter syndrome can often sound like “Who am I to be a writer?” OR “There are already other writers doing this same thing.” OR “I have never (insert qualification you think you need to be counted as a writer—published anything…gone to school for…have been recognized as…).” And the fact of the matter is this is simply NOT TRUE. You need absolutely zero experience or qualifications to be a writer. All you have to do is WRITE!

Finding your inner grit (aka confidence and determination to keep going, you will gain the experience and talent along the way! And if you still feel like you need some type of experience under your belt to confidently call yourself a writer, see my next tip!

(Recommended reading: Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth.)

Here are some simple things to consider to boost your personal inner voice (aka your “belief maker”). If you need help “boosting your belief maker,” check out my blog post on enhancing overall creative confidence HERE.

3. Keep Learning

It’s very easy to get stuck in our heads as writers. Instead of focusing on your internal self, try directing your attention to something external that you feel you can control. There’s no better way to distract your self-conscious writer’s ego than by immersing yourself in the details of your craft. Even if you aren’t writing, reading about new techniques or studying your genre with a critical eye can quiet the negative voice inside your head and make you feel like you’re becoming more knowledgeable in your craft—which in turn increases your confidence. Consider looking into some writing courses that are not too overwhelming. Sites like Udemy, Skillshare, and Thinkific are all good places to start! And check your local opportunities for writing classes or learning opportunities!

4. Lean in to Imperfection

Writers are often plagued with the need to be original or to be perfect or overly excellent at their craft. Lowering our expectations can free us up to feel proud of the writing we are producing. There is no wrong way to write, and there’s no such thing as true originality. New ideas are based on existing ideas. They’re simply adapted, extended, or improved upon. Take inspiration from other writers, other artists/creators, and life itself. What you create out of this will in itself be unique to you! Creativity does not come with a set of instructions. There’s no one set path to success. Every time you try, stumble, and try again, you are learning, getting better at your craft, and moving closer to your goals.

Recommended reading: Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon.

“Striving for perfection can get in the way during the early stages of the creative process.”

― David Kelley, Creative Confidence: Unleashing the Creative Potential Within Us All

5. Stay Supported

Writing can be a lonely activity. Finding the right support in the form of writers groups (in-person or online), writing challenges, coaching sessions, or workshops, can do wonders for your confidence. We all need a little emotional support at times, somewhere to vent when you’ve been looking at a word so long that it’s lost all meaning. Or someone you can show you work to and ask ‘Is this as amazing/awful as I think it is?’ But you need to be drawing your support from the right type of people. Being overly praised is just as damaging as being overly criticized. Being overly enthusiastic is just as damaging as being overly cynical. What’s best for you will fall somewhere between the ends of these two spectrums. The Kaizen-Muse coaching methods combine intuition with real progress. To book a free session to see if it’s the right fit for you, click HERE.

6. Be Curious & HAVE FUN!

Infusing fun and playfulness to your process can keep things light, spark inspiration, and boost confidence! Joy and play in the writing process is actually a form of “creative structure,” which is a major way to find more time to actually get to the writing you WANT to do. Play might not feel structured enough for some people, but for writers and creators, this might be exactly what you need! Allowing yourself to lessen expectations, and actually write for the sheer enjoyment of it provides so much inspiration and motivation. And this leads to increased confidence. A great place to start is to just pose a question (the brain can’t resist a question and will go to work behind the scenes seeking out an answer):

• How can I make writing more fun for me?” (And if “fun” feels hard, try “How can I make writing easier?”)

• What do I love about writing? OR “Why do I want to write?”

• What would creative play look like in my writing process?

• How can I lessen the pressure on myself 5%?

• How would it feel to write a crappy first draft, a bad poem, or a crummy chapter? Can I allow myself to try this?

If you are looking for a little more play in your process, try THESE printable writing and creativity prompts.

“Authenticity is the daily practice of letting go of who we think we are supposed to be and embracing who we actually are.”

~Brené Brown