A lot of the time, writers are afraid to give themselves enough credit.
We are afraid of seeming too pompous. Like people will see us as the Author holed up in a shed fueled by cigarettes, spite, and gallons of alcohol, writing the Most Epic Literary Work of All Time (It’s going to be a hit movie and don’t you forget it)β’. We’re worried that if we brag about the work we do it will sound excessively self-important and annoying.
If someone likes our work, we writers tend to shrug it off with a modest “oh, it has a lot of polishing left to do” or “after a few edits, maybe it will be worth reading, (LOL).” Someone says, “Wow, you wrote a book?” and we start talking about all of the ways it could be better and it’s not that big of a deal, but, you know, thanks.
First of all; it’s quite true that it’s not acceptable to be an arrogant douche of an egoist who won’t shut up about every little achievement, like the patented Authorβ’ above. No one wants to be around a person like that and there is such a thing as being too self-confident. How many stories have the antagonist defeated by the fatal flaw of hubris?
However; what we sometimes forget while we’re busy modestly deflecting is that a certain level of pride is just fine.
Authors and fellow writers, it is right and correct for us to have self-confidence.
Arrogant, unjustified pride=no. Satisfaction and a sense of well-earned achievement=yes.
Being proud of the endless hours you spent fighting with the keyboard is not bragging. Feeling fulfilled when you think of the way you have grown as a writer is natural. It’s okay to think well of yourself for having the tenacity to write. What you did by shrugging off all of the rejections and plugging along anyway is amazing! It’s not hubris to say that, or to admit you’re proud of yourself for what you’ve accomplished.
In fact, if there’s any hope of you having the grit and toughness to continue to create you must have a certain amount of pride in what you can do. You must have that feeling of satisfaction, and own it.
The day will come when someone says, “you wrote that? I loved it.” Doesn’t matter if they’re talking about a 200 word blog post or a 200K word novel. They liked your writing. You liked your writing, when you were busy pouring your heart and soul into it. It is acceptable to say so. It is even worth feeling proud of.
So right now, practice saying something along these lines in return: “Thank you. I really liked writing it, and I’m proud of it.” As a little exercise, if there’s a particular piece of writing you’re proud of, put a link in the comments for me! I’d love to go over and read it so I can be proud of you too.
Go ahead and give yourself the credit. No one will think badly of you for taking it.
This post is part of the author toolbox blog hop, hosted by author Raimey Gallant. It’s a monthly hop with the emphasis on sharing resources, experience, and good old fashioned common sense with other writers. Click on Raimey’s name and come join in!
Featured image courtesy Stocksnap.io and Annie Spratt
21 comments
I just patted myself on the back. It was awkward. This is such a thoughtful post. π
I guess it would feel a bit awkward, haha. If I were close enough I’d give you a high five. Especially for winning the DuMaurier award π
Thanks for this post! It was definitely an uplifting read, especially for those of us with Imposter Syndrome.
Impostor Syndrome can be a cruel little gnome. I feel you.
Great advice. Writing is such a strange balance of needed to believe in the value of one’s own expression and needed to offer ourselves up for vulnerable critique. It can be easy to become our own critics too often.
Good point! There are plenty of critics out there, if we feel the need to puncture our egos. We should give ourselves the gift of being kind sometimes.
Great advice. Writing is such a strange balance of needed to believe in the value of one’s own expression and needed to offer ourselves up for vulnerable critique. It can be easy to become our own critics too often.
Great advice. It took me years to be able to do that. I wished I had learned earlier.
Susan Says
It’s great that you do that, though! No matter how long it took to learn. Good job π
I recently brought up I was a writer. When they commented back, I waved it away, saying I’d be at it for years. I’m not sure where that falls, but I’m good with it. π
Anna from elements of emaginette
If you’re comfortable with it then it’s good!
Oh my gosh, YES! How many times have I shrugged off compliments about my writing, only to secretly feel proud of it? Why not say, “Thanks, glad you liked it” ? We should definitely give ourselves credit for our hard work. Thanks for sharing!
Yes, good for you! Glad to encourage.
We do need to be proud of ourselves and how far we have come π Great post today.
Thanks! Happy hop day π
Great post, I really needed to hear that π I’m guilty of thinking I could do better when anyone compliments my writing, and I totally need to accept that they liked it and let myself feel happy!
You totally have my permission to be happy about it, if that helps π
I love everything about this post. It is so easy to feel as if you are boasting when ‘bigging up’ your own work, but we totally should do it. The effort and time we put into our stories is proof of that.
That effort and time is something to be proud of, for sure. Happy hop day!
You nailed it! So here it is “Thank you. I really liked writing it, and Iβm proud of it.β π
I’m proud of you too, Life Lessons was a great read! I’m glad I got to read it when it came out.