What I have found about doubt as it applies to writing is that doubt is everywhere save for the time I am putting words on paper. When I am writing sentences, in some way unknown to me, doubt is banished to a place outside my head. This doesn't mean that I don't make corrections and edits as I go because I am always fiddling with the words. But the process of writing for me is more powerful than any nagging doubt. Maybe thirty minutes after I quit writing, I may lapse into doubt about what I wrote, but usually that creeping doubt is not powerful enough to overwhelm the high that writing produces. So, I guess for me the only antidote to doubt is the creative process itself. Thanks for all the thoughtful analysis you are bringing to this topic. SW
I suspect many writers would envy your capacity to quiet your mind and just write, dammit! Some writers do, of course, achieve that, whether briefly or for extended periods. But I suspect many more are hampered by an inability to silence that nagging voice. If only you could bottle it! Thanks for reading!
I agree the paralysis of doubt is a real thing and that it handcuffs many writers. I also think that where a person is on his writing journey has a lot to do with the way he handles doubt. I always encourage writers to push forward to the end of their first book because typing "The End" for the first time is such a watershed moment. For me that moment made starting the next book seem less daunting.
I see you point SW. When I'm on my porch writing, pen in my hand floating across the page, there isn't a doubt in sight. But put me in front of a computer screen constantly reminding me of my lack of ability especially with red squiggly underscores, I can't help but wonder what the heck I'm doing here.
Nancy, the first thing to do is to turn off the red squiggly underscores. Those will kill anybody's creativity. You can always go back and turn them on later when you're cleaning things up.
I agree with you, Amy. Doubt springs up unannounced and can't be budgeted. But a critical interrogation - giving doubt the third degree - can effectively drain it of its power.
I object. Just tell me it'll work and I'll believe it. The brain is an interesting place but it's easily tricked - why else do we believe "I won't break your heart"?
Amy,
What I have found about doubt as it applies to writing is that doubt is everywhere save for the time I am putting words on paper. When I am writing sentences, in some way unknown to me, doubt is banished to a place outside my head. This doesn't mean that I don't make corrections and edits as I go because I am always fiddling with the words. But the process of writing for me is more powerful than any nagging doubt. Maybe thirty minutes after I quit writing, I may lapse into doubt about what I wrote, but usually that creeping doubt is not powerful enough to overwhelm the high that writing produces. So, I guess for me the only antidote to doubt is the creative process itself. Thanks for all the thoughtful analysis you are bringing to this topic. SW
I suspect many writers would envy your capacity to quiet your mind and just write, dammit! Some writers do, of course, achieve that, whether briefly or for extended periods. But I suspect many more are hampered by an inability to silence that nagging voice. If only you could bottle it! Thanks for reading!
I agree the paralysis of doubt is a real thing and that it handcuffs many writers. I also think that where a person is on his writing journey has a lot to do with the way he handles doubt. I always encourage writers to push forward to the end of their first book because typing "The End" for the first time is such a watershed moment. For me that moment made starting the next book seem less daunting.
I see you point SW. When I'm on my porch writing, pen in my hand floating across the page, there isn't a doubt in sight. But put me in front of a computer screen constantly reminding me of my lack of ability especially with red squiggly underscores, I can't help but wonder what the heck I'm doing here.
Nancy, the first thing to do is to turn off the red squiggly underscores. Those will kill anybody's creativity. You can always go back and turn them on later when you're cleaning things up.
I agree with you, Amy. Doubt springs up unannounced and can't be budgeted. But a critical interrogation - giving doubt the third degree - can effectively drain it of its power.
I object. Just tell me it'll work and I'll believe it. The brain is an interesting place but it's easily tricked - why else do we believe "I won't break your heart"?