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Finding the Courage to Write
Being able to write is not automatic, even for pros.
Sometimes I wonder why I should bother. At this point, I’ve finished and published 3 series totaling 16 books, 2 standalone novels, and 3 books from 2 other incomplete series. I know my math tends to be less than spectacular, but that comes to 21 books I’ve put out into the world. And that’s ignoring 4 books published under my nonfiction persona.
Unfortunately, there’s no simple or given way to generate book sales. Even the tried and true methods of others don’t always apply. The market is fickle, so if you write something trending now, it might no longer be the hottest thing when you publish it. Also, indie authors have a lot of extra work to do to get seen.
Despite all the books I’ve already finished and published, I’m working on a new series. It’s currently plotted out for 5 books – but I can envision more. Books 1 and 2 are done, and book 3 will likely be finished before the week is out.
Some days, writing is easier than others. On some days, it takes courage to write. That’s a matter of overcoming self-doubt, blockages, and other issues that must be addressed to do the work.
The biggest issue is me
Defining success is insane. Why? Because the definition is utterly fluid.
For some, success is awards, recognition, and obscene amounts of money. Then, for others, it’s just completing the work via the courage to write and then having a finished book in the world. For still others, it’s somewhere between these extremes.
My definition of success is a couple of things. First, the ability to sustain myself. Earning enough money to contribute to my household and help keep us living our lives how we choose to. Second, expanding imagination within readers by sharing the characters, worlds, and visions in my head. Third, encouraging others to live life as large as possible, pursue dreams, and be the most authentic you that you can be.
Yes, I would love to get awards, make a lot of money, and see my work on TV or the big screen. That’s not how I define success, however. That’s above and beyond, to me.
The biggest issue I find in doing the work is me. My self-doubt, mentally and emotionally imposed blocks, and various other brain weasels that chitter away and tell me I’m unworthy, undeserving, and other negative things, from time to time.
The best way to overcome them has been to write. Discipline. Over the past 3 years, I’ve set some daily goals for myself that I check off and later analyze. I did better in year 2 over year 1, and it looks like I’m moving in the right direction to do better in year 3 over year 2. But it’s too soon to tell for sure.
When I get past myself, I move toward achieving my definition of success. To do that requires finding the courage to write.
The courage to write comes from within
Many artists have stories about would-be artists who couldn’t find the courage. Maybe it was writing, painting, woodworking, sculpture, it doesn’t matter. They had a desire and couldn’t, wouldn’t, or didn’t find the courage to pursue.
Courage to write is no different. Jen Sincero talks about a friend fighting to find the courage to write something she thought might make her come across as a weird freak. Steven Pressfield wrote in 2 of his nonfiction books about a friend who found the courage to write, but not to share his work (and died). This proves that courage takes many forms and can elude us easily.
Finding the courage to write or do anything at all is an inside job. It’s not available in a bottle, can, or pill. You must look inside yourself to bring it to the surface.
How? Mindfulness. Making a conscious effort to do the work. No matter the art, it takes courage to make the idea manifest. Some days are easier than others, too.
To be mindful, all you need to do is pause. Become present, here and now. Aware of your inner being, your mindset/headspace/psyche self. To do that, you ask questions like,
- What am I thinking?
- What am I feeling?
- How am I feeling?
- What is my intention?
- Is my approach (to this, that, or the other thing) positive or negative?
- What am I doing (or not doing)?
These can only be genuinely answered in the present. Those answers, however, make you aware. From your self-awareness, you can call up courage.
This takes time, work, and energy. But I find it utterly worthwhile. That’s how I do my work.
You are not alone
Overnight success is exceedingly rare. Many stories of instant achievement are embellished or lack details. Many an artist failed lots of times in a variety of ways before they succeeded.
The courage to write or make any art takes work. And often it’s moving past failure and trying again. You’re no more perfect or imperfect than anyone else out there.
Most of all, you are completely and totally not alone. Many others have gone before you. Even successful writers need to find the courage to write to make the work happen. For example, every single blog I create, week in and week out, starts with a struggle. The blank screen, the blinking cursor. What the hell do I write about this time? Who cares? Does anyone other than me and a few others read this? Why do I bother?
Then, because I’ve set my mind to it, I find the courage to write. Consistently, I’ve blogged 1-6 days a week for over 14 years. I’m content to keep it to 3 blogs a week currently, but without fail, I find the courage to write, and this essay is one of the results of that.
The courage to write or create anything else isn’t automatic. It’s never just a given. Sometimes it comes easily, other times you fight with and for it. But no matter the case, you’re never alone. Lots of us struggle to find the courage to write and make our art. No matter what it is, you’re worthy and deserving of whatever you desire to create.
Thanks for reading. As I share my creative journey with you every week, please consider this: How are you inspired and empowered to be your own authentic creator, whatever form that takes?
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