Hey cHEwY gum gums!

Sorry, it’s been awhile. The truth is that I’ve doing a lot more vlogging and less blogging haha. But more on that in a future blog post (sooner than later this time haha)

But I didn’t want my last current post to be about authors and mental health and leave it at that…I’m really much still here and still writing. As we speak, I’m in Bellingen, back in my happy place, a share-house that feels like a writing retreat. I had the place to myself last night where I was able to chip away at my WIP, Sneakerheads.

I’d like to address those four concerns that I wrote in my authors and mental health post, how can writers overcome these hurdles that tend to stop the creative flow or cripple our security as a writer.

IT’S OKAY TO BE VULNERABLE, SO YOU CAN GROW

You don’t get better, standing still. If you’re scarred by rejection, know that while it may hurt now, it will lead to growth. I saw a billboard that said that setbacks are comebacks waiting to happen. Only hindsight will shine a path that shows that if you bounce back, you will improve. Just trying again is already an effort that will separate you from writers who give up.

IT’S OKAY TO FEEL LIKE AN IMPOSTER, SO YOU CAN REMAIN GROUNDED

I’ve found that writers who have imposter syndrome are the same ones are quite humble with their achievements. Sure, it might sound like a humblebrag for a writer to accept an award saying ‘I feel like a fraud’ but it’s also a sign that they have worked hard to get where they are. Fake it til you make it. But the ones who made it, are still trying to prove that they’re legit writers. That work ethic is to be admired.

IT’S OKAY TO COMPARE YOURSELF TO OTHERS, SO YOU CAN FIND YOUR NICHE

Comparing yourself on social media can be a spiral of self-loathing and jealousy. But there are times when it is helpful, for example, when you write your query letter to a publisher. ‘Readers of Karen Foxlee or Morris Gleitzman would love my story.’ Or when you are pitching your story to a panel. ‘In the tradition of Nova Weetman and Katrina Nannested comes a tale of…’ By having a familiar starting point, you are able to show its market appeal and target audience, and you can further explain how your story will be different too. Choose carefully which parts of other authors you want to compare yourself to.

IT’S OKAY TO FEEL LIKE LONELY, SO FIND YOUR TRIBE (IF YOU WANT TO)

Writing is a solitary thing, but you don’t have to be a social butterfly either. You choose how often you want to connect with other authors. Nobody is going call you an outcast if you never turn up to social events. You do what makes you feel comfortable. If all you want to do is write. Then go for it. Just write.

Let me what know what you think, are there other affirmations that you live by in your writing journey?

O.W