Comments on: Beat the Author Blues: How to Manage Writer’s Doubt

By: Candace Hardy

Candace Hardy — Sun, 19 May 2024 15:08:41 +0000

I too enjoyed the article. I love calling this series of issues writer’s doubt rather than writer’s block. The former signals keep writing; the latter stop writing. I was so scared of reading reviews that I got two friends online with me as I read them, and these were positive reviews!

By: NA7 WhatsApp

NA7 WhatsApp — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 10:48:31 +0000

I completely relate to the writer’s doubt that this post speaks of. As a writer myself, I’ve struggled with feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt, especially when it comes to my ability to create compelling content. It’s reassuring to know that I’m not alone in this struggle and that there are strategies that can help manage these feelings. I’ll definitely be implementing some of the tips mentioned in this post to help boost my confidence and productivity as a writer.

By: Laraba Kendig

Laraba Kendig — Wed, 16 Dec 2020 08:00:24 +0000

In reply to Kimberly McGraw.

I published my first book this summer too, and I agree completely. My book received lots of very positive reviews, but those rare bad reviews are painful. After several days or a week, I usually feel much calmer about a bad review, but I wish I could be calm when they first appear. One particularly painful review was the very first review for my book in the UK Amazon marketplace. The reviewer had read 1 page (out of ~250) and found something they pointed out as “historically inaccurate” and such a terrible mistake that they couldn’t possibly read any more. BTW, according to my research, this person was wrong, plus it was a minor detail and had no effect on the story, which they didn’t even bother to read. GRRRR! I was so mad. Here’s hoping we can all learn to gracefully accept bad reviews.

I also want mention that this article says to reply gracefully to the bad review. A guy named David Gaugrhan says you shouldn’t reply to bad reviews as it will only serve to make the review more popular and therefore show up higher in the list of reviews. Much better to ignore the review and let it sink into obscurity.

By: Srividhya Lakshmanan

Srividhya Lakshmanan — Thu, 10 Sep 2020 09:54:10 +0000

These self-doubts are so real. Thanks for sharing such a great piece. I think the most crucial part of writing is to have fun while doing so. If we don’t enjoy the process, it will end up in a deep mess.

By: Cathy Wright

Cathy Wright — Mon, 27 Jul 2020 19:21:44 +0000

In reply to BTP. OMGoodness! That is what happens to me. I thought I was flawed in some way. Thanks for the reality.

By: YMichaud

YMichaud — Mon, 15 Jul 2019 19:06:19 +0000

In reply to edmund. I totally agree with you! If there’s no joy in the process, why bother? If we’re in this page is because we love writing, and we want that this piece of our inner selves does not become a source of pain, sorrow and self-doubt. I don’t write in English, but I find really interesting and creative conversations in Anglophone sources. So... let’s have some fun!

By: Charliann Roberts

Charliann Roberts — Mon, 15 Apr 2019 20:05:27 +0000

Very helpful. After reading this, I may actually get back to writing. I stopped after my fifth novel because of the costs of an editor, book covers and printing the paperbacks. Perhaps I’ll give it another try and only print e-books, which most people purchase now days.

Thanks for your help!

By: Steven Sterup, Jr.

Steven Sterup, Jr. — Sat, 30 Mar 2019 21:28:06 +0000

This was a great article and very helpful. It’s nice to know that other authors go through the same struggles.
Thanks for this.

By: edmund

edmund — Thu, 28 Mar 2019 14:28:44 +0000

Thanks for the article.

Though writers have to remember it is a marathon, not a sprint. Along the way, one gets to hone the craft, build a readership base, and HAVE FUN WRITING. The last is crucial. It takes years to build a readership base.

Money should be the last thing on a new writer’s mind. The Author’s Guild reported that for 2017 the median income of all surveyed authors (independent, hybrid, traditional, and all those permutations) from writing-related activities was $6,080. Some writers even reported zero income. Think about it.

By: Deb Gorman

Deb Gorman — Thu, 28 Mar 2019 14:03:20 +0000

I so needed this right now. I’ve self-published 3 creative non-fiction books, one each year since 2016. I have publishing team that I love. Now I’m in the throes of my first novel…a whole different animal! So much to learn. And I have plans to write 3 novels in this series. Whew! I can really identify with that guy in the pic, contemplating the mountain. I feel like I’m standing there with no ropes, no backpack, no climbing equipment, and wearing all the wrong clothes. But this article gives me hope! Thank you!