Hi ,

 

One of the writers in my group coaching program recently confessed she was experiencing self-doubt about her writing abilities. 

 

This was followed by nearly half-a-dozen other writers in the group expressing the exact same feelings. 

 

I wasn't surprised. 

 

Everyone feels that way sometimes, and writers more often than others. 

 

Creating art requires a certain level of emotional sensitivity and empathy.

 

This in turn requires emotional availability. 

 

To write about others joy, pain, ecstasy, sorrow, hope, and despair, we need to be able tap into our own experiences with these feelings.

 

And that includes feelings of self-doubt.  

 

There's an old saying, "Writing is easy. All you have to do is put your fingers on the keyboard and BLEED."

 

Which is to say, this writing thing aint all that easy. 

 

A writer works with emotions the way a painter works with paint; it's the medium we communicate our message in.  

 

So if you are feeling down, or questioning your work or your abilities, don't worry.

 

It's normal. 

Use the hierarchy of focus method to get through it, hire a writing coach like me to support you during periods of doubt, or join a community like my group coaching program where you can get the support of a whole team of writers going through the same experiences you are. 

 

You are not alone, and you ARE a writer, no matter what those voices in your head tell you. 

 

Your pal in writing, 

 

Kevin T. Johns, writing coach