The last thing I said to the participants of yesterday’s workshop before they headed out the door and back into the currents of their own lives was “Have faith in yourself.” I would like to repeat it here, for emphasis.
There are times when rigorous criticism of one’s own work is called for. There are times when it is good to sharpen a particular skill by exercise and practice. We are all learning constantly – and the more we learn, it seems the less we think we know. Mastery dispels any premature conceits.
But there must also be room for self-belief, of thinking that yes, your words are worthy of expression. That the smooth moleskine paper on which your fingertips rest is not the better for want of application with a pen. And faith in oneself is not only a one-off requirement – it must be reinforced sentence by sentence, paragraph by paragraph and (if you choose novel writing) chapter by chapter.
I find it hard. Every writer does, sometimes. I can look at a page and think, “what is the point of going on with this? What if it never gets published or sees the light of day in any way, shape or form?” The more invested, the higher the risk of failure.
But the alternative is inertia. The alternative is never feeling that sense of accomplishment after completing something that is real, powerful and yours alone. Never feel that you do not have the right to find that bliss – and set it down.
I too am worthy. As worthy as any of my great forebears. I will not compare. I will not look over my shoulder. I will not worry. I will just write.
And I shall find what I need. Faith in myself.
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