Who Am I Fooling: 10 Lies This Writer Told Herself

My name is Katharine and I am a reluctant writer. Nevermind that I’ve wanted to be a writer since I was four or that I’ve made up stories in one form or another my entire life. I am not completely secure in the idea of chasing my dreams.

For three years I’ve taken my writing seriously, and for three years I’ve slowly discovered some lies that I was telling myself. Lies, that if left alone, would kill any creative desire and ultimately convince me that my writing wasn’t worth the effort. Deep down I know it IS worth the effort, so my hope is that by taking notice of these, I will not only be able to move past the, but help others do so as well.

10. I can only be successful if I find some other writer out there who is like me and copy them.

I am a unique individual. My interests, experiences, perspectives and skills are totally unique, so completely copying someone’s work would only make me a hack, not a truly original writer. Looking to other writers for inspiration is one thing, passing off their hard won words as my own is another.

9. I don’t have time to pursue my dreams.

I’ve got five children. I can find ten minutes here and there to work on my novel. I’ve found that I can delegate household responsibilities, make meals in advance, keep my computer on in my kitchen, carry a notebook to the playground and keep working at it.

8. It must be some cosmic joke to have a desire to write, yet have no opportunity.

I am not a big fan of the phrase “God helps those who help themselves,” yet I do believe that I will have to go out and work to find the opportunities. In three years I’ve started a blog, written and sold an e-book, was runner-up in a short story contest and published a half dozen articles. Oh, and I’m working on a novel. If I’m going to succeed, then I need to find the opportunity myself.

7. Past failures trump future successes.

I still remember sitting in a college writing course holding back tears while staring at a paper with a “D” on it. I had a lot of “D’s” in my writing classes. I look back now and believe that as a 20-year old I had no life experience, no self-confidence and clearly not much skill. I’m older now and I’ve got something to say. I still might make mistakes, but I’m not going to look back at what happened in college. I’m going to keep looking forward.

6. I can’t be a real writer since I don’t wear black, chain smoke or have a whiskey habit.

When I was younger I had a lot of preconceived notions about what a “real” writer looks like and what they do in their free time. To me they were poor housekeepers, wore mismatched and torn clothing and had a couple of cats. I am not like that and yet I want to be a writer. I need to discard any silliness and just write. Real writers write.

5. I can only write when I feel creative.

Because I have so little time to devote to my writing, I’ve had to discipline my emotions. I don’t always feel creative, but I write anyway. I don’t always feel like making dinner or getting out of bed either, but it must be done for my household to run smoothly. This same self-discipline pays off when I apply it to writing. I’ve never regretted forcing myself sit and write for just 10 minutes.

4. Everything that needs to be said has already been said and there’s no room for me.

This is a tough thought to shake, especially when agents and publishers are unkind or uninterested. Nevertheless, I must believe that my stories and perspectives are important and then sculpt them beautifully and clearly. I must work on my craft so that my creations are so well said that others will happily make room for me.

3. Taking another idea, twisting it around to make it unique and then calling it my own is cheating.

There really are no new ideas, just unique interpretations of old ideas. How freeing it is to realize that many of Shakespeare’s plays were based on factual events? What makes them valuable is his artistic interpretation. I can do that, too. And if I’m lucky, I’ll have a fraction of the success that he did. But be careful not to fall back into lie #10 though, as it can sometimes be a thin- and blurry- line that many writers have a difficult time with.

2. “Real” writers write quickly and elegantly without effort.

BAH!  This is nonsense and it took me a long time to figure this out. “Real” writers understand that the writing process often means riding an ocean of ebbs and flows, storms and doldrums as well as smooth sailing and choppy waters. If I think that I can’t be a writer because I get stuck once in a while then I’m doomed.

1. This can’t be my “calling” because it’s way too much fun!

Those of us from austere backgrounds have a hard time with this, but it is true. We were created for specific purposes and learned that by doing what we were made to do we will find happiness. I didn’t fully embrace writing until I understood that the reason I do this is because it makes me happy! To have readers who enjoy my writing makes it a double blessing.

This is my collection of writing lies. Because I’ve finally seen them for what they are, dealt with them properly and embraced the truth, I’m free to write. I’m free to pursue my dreams.

My dream is to be a writer. And I am not afraid.

Do you have any other “writing lies” that you want to share?