By the debut group Class of 2K20 Books
(Twitter @Class2k20Books; Instagram @class2k20books)
Writing is an exercise in self-doubt--as several debut 2020 middle grade and young adult authors can attest. In addition to the usual feelings of self-doubt creeping up, many debut authors are also dealing with doubts due to the pandemic--who will come to a virtual launch? Will any books sell? Will I ever sell another book? Can I even write another book? So, how do these writers get through it--and keep on writing?
First, it’s important to understand that writing is an artistic process, and because of that, it’s also one that is fraught. “Self-doubt and imposter syndrome is the hardest part of being an artist, for me. When I write, I’m in love with my work, but when I re-read, I think of an audience who may not like what I have to say, and I become filled with self-doubt,” says Kath Rothschild, author of the forthcoming WIDER THAN THE SKY. KayLynn Flanders, author of SHIELDED, attests that “coming up with the actual words and knowing how imperfect they are? That’s hard.” And Lorien Lawrence, author of THE STITCHERS, cannot count the times self-doubt has crept up during the writing and revision process!
How do these and other debut authors cope with self-doubt in the time of quarantine? They suggest three things to keep in mind.
Trust Your Process
Lorien Lawrence suggests there are several ways to combat that self-doubt, but one is to trust your own writing process. “One of the hardest things about being a writer is keeping your eyes on your own paper. This is especially true with the writing process: do what works for YOU, not what works for your friends, CPs, or the plethora of people giving advice on Twitter.” And Andrea Contos, author of the forthcoming THROWAWAY GIRLS, says: “I’m learning to jump in without hesitation, and trust that the story will get where it needs to be. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve gotten ⅔ of the way into a manuscript, only to discover something I added to the beginning--without really knowing why--ended up being absolutely crucial to the end.” Trusting that the story will come is a key piece of continuing to write in tough times.
For KayLynn Flanders, getting the words--or really, any words--down on the page is enough to give her confidence for another day of writing. “You can’t edit a blank page, so I power through it as best as I can.” All the debut authors in the Class of 2K20 Books agree that the first step must be to get your first draft written. It can even be, as several authors call it: a steaming pile of garbage that you will need to spend a long time—longer than you think—revising. But we revise, and we get better. But to do that, the words have to be on the page.
Be True to Yourself and Your Path
Getting out of the self-doubt rut can be difficult--but honoring your own path is one way. “It’s important to look within your own experiences, and what comes naturally to you as a writer,” says Tanya Guerrero, author of HOW TO MAKE FRIENDS WITH THE SEA and the forthcoming ALL YOU KNEAD IS LOVE. When we allow ourselves to be guided not by an imagined audience, but by our own deeply honest and sometimes painful truths, we can access real stories that will resonate with us and hopefully, with readers, too. “Self-doubt can, at its worst, keep me from writing what I want to write--often more edgy scenes or more honest portrayals of what it was, for me, to be a teen,” says Kath Rothschild.
It’s also essential to focus on our own well-being and our own writing projects, and tune out the drone of others. “It’s so incredibly easy to compare your journey to someone else’s. Query request rates, how quickly you get an agent, how many offers you get, whether you get a book deal and then how many starred reviews you get and what your book’s marketing budget looks like. There’s a never-ending list. That’s why it’s so important to remember that every writer has a different path, and none are more valid than the next. Focus on your own work and your own journey and trust that you’re where you need to be,” says Andrea Contos, and KayLynn Flanders (who is also an editor) agrees. “Every path to publication is different, and it’s easy to get caught up in thinking that something that worked for someone else is how it has to happen for you. But comparison is a thief of joy—keep your eyes on your own paper, and celebrate every milestone you meet, every success you see!”
Have a Support System
In the writing community, there are generally three writing support groups. There are betas, readers who will read your work and tell you what they think, there are critique partners (CPs) who will exchange manuscripts with you and you can tell each other what your think, and there are critique groups, or small groups of authors usually within the same genre who exchange manuscripts regularly. Have as many of them as you can to deal with self-doubt and keep going. “I’m really fortunate to have connected with my MG Squad, Shannon Doleski, Lorien Lawrence and Janae Marks almost right after we joined our debut group. We bounce ideas off of each other, share writing samples and talk craft. Those moments are invaluable, because there are moments filled with self-doubt, and it’s great to be able to get advice or feedback when those moments arise,” says Tanya Guerrero. Lorien Lawrence and Janae Marks, author of FROM THE DESK OF ZOE WASHINGTON, both agree that friendly writer accountability is essential.
Janae Marks introduces a fourth writing community support group: accountability buddies. Marks was working on her second book when she was struck by self-doubt. “I worried whether the second book would ever be good enough, but I also doubted whether I could actually complete the work during a distracting and terrifying global crisis. What helped me a lot was getting an accountability buddy. As I worked on my revisions, I sent chapters to another author friend, who quickly read for me, provided some feedback, and told me to keep going! I don't know that I could've hit my deadline without her support!”
Critique groups, partners, and buddies can keep you focused on what’s important. Amanda Sellet shares an essential piece of advice from her CPs: “Of the many, many pieces of wisdom my local writer friends, Tessa Gratton and Natalie Parker, have shared, the one I come back to most often of late is this: If you’re not leveling up your craft, what’s the point? Meaning, don’t get so caught up in all the noise about the business side of publishing that you forget what really matters: growing as a writer, and doing your best work.” Of her critique group, Cathleen Barnhart, author of THAT’S WHAT FRIENDS DO, says: “Our once-a-month Sunday morning meetings are vital for me, and the feedback, support and commiseration of the group has carried me through so much.” And Amy Noelle Parks, author of THE QUANTUM WEIRDNESS OF THE ALMOST KISS, recommends creating a smaller group within a larger one--for her it was the Class of 2K20 within the Roaring 20s debut group, but that might also look like a small local group within the larger SCBWI community. “As an introvert,” Parks says, “the hundreds of people in the 2020 debut group felt completely overwhelming. Having this smaller group of people who I can learn from has been invaluable.”
And keep going, even if it’s virtual! A.J. Sass, author of the forthcoming ANA ON THE EDGE, finds that having a routine which involves regular meetings (virtual at the moment) with other writers is incredibly helpful. “I meet weekly with a group of writers, with the aim of making progress toward our writing goals. We also leave time to talk about our uncertainties and doubts. Writing can be isolating, so it’s comforting to know that you're not alone when you’re feeling stuck, or even doubting your ability to get through a particular scene. Lean on your writing friends. And offer support when they need it as well.” And Kath Rothschild also recommends having a weekly standing Zoom date with a CP or CG to commiserate. “My writing group, the Panama Math and Science Club, meet every week for an hour for a writing check-in, and once a month to critique over Zoom. Each time I’m reminded of why we all write--and must continue to do so.”
But in addition to having a strong writing community, it’s essential for many authors to have a familial and extended community support system—whether in person or via FaceTime or Zoom. Amanda Sellet, author of BY THE BOOK: A NOVEL OF PROSE AND CONS attests to the importance of family support: “A few months shy of my debut, my little sister, who is an incredibly busy lawyer and mom, worked with a friend to design a t-shirt featuring a slogan from my book (#WWJAD, as in ‘What Would Jane Austen Do?’).”This type of celebratory support is important at every step of the writing process. KayLynn Flanders agrees: “My husband encourages me when I get discouraged, learns publishing lingo and practices so he can freak out with me when I get good news. My kids help me brainstorm ideas and inspire me and play while I write. I could never have accomplished what I have without them.”
Family can even help you remember why you should prioritize writing in the first place. Cathleen Barnhart, was offered a part time job after she had decided to focus solely on writing. “I went off to a writing conference with my sister, Amanda. I told her that I was planning to take the teaching job, and she asked me a whole bunch of questions to help me see that doing so was a bad idea. That summer, I finished my novel, and in the fall, I started sending it to agents.” And Kath Rothschild will always remember what her dad told her when she asked him if she should study law. He said: “what about writing?”
In this tough time, creatives’ self-doubt can be more triggered than usual. The Class of 2K20 hopes these strategies to trust your process, be true to your own stories, and to seek and accept support help you get back to the keyboard!
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