Slaying the Doubt Monster

Call it stress. Name it fear. Personally, I prefer to think of the current onslaught of doubt whapping me upside the head as the Doubt Monster. Without mercy, this wicked ugly creature frequently attacks writers, and he’s sure doing a number on me right now.

So for the next few days here at Writer Off the Leash, let’s slay this beast together, shall we? After all, there’s safety in numbers. Today we’ll tackle...

HORRIFIC DOUBT #1:

I stink at this writing game, 

as evidenced by my lack of garnering a publisher. 

Maybe I should just give up.

After years and years of trying to land a mainstream publisher, with the accompanying years and years of rejection, this doubt is frog shaped and stealthy. It creeps up on you and smothers you slowly.

For awhile, especially at the beginning of your writing journey, you hope that this time, this manuscript, will be the lucky winner. When that doesn’t happen, you begin to wonder if this sickening rollercoaster ride is worth the price of the ticket.

What’s the silver bullet for this particular beastie? Perseverance. Immersing yourself in a new manuscript is a great way to beat back this doubt because you’ll be too busy thinking about plot twists and character development to consider giving up.

That’s my plan. On Thursday, I’ll start a fresh WIP. Admittedly, that leaves me open for the next few days to take a swipe or two from this doubt monster, but I think I can ward it off if I simply start working on the layout of my first few chapters.

There. That didn’t draw too much blood, did it? Stop back tomorrow with sword and torch in hand, and we’ll slash and burn another creature.

And don’t forget...

UNDERCURRENT Giveaway

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