Doubting yourself.

[Napalm]

I'm currently in writing hell because I've started doubting myself, everytime I think to do something. I am like "Is this a good idea?" Which is generally good, but I've taken it too far.

I doubt my abilities at every possible plot point etc. I'm doubting myself in the prose, the character voice, characters, world building, hell anything to do with writing.

You see, unfortunately, I was always kind of a perfectionist. It doesn't limit me too much, but it makes moving on from things so hard. When I do something, I keep on doing it until it is perfect, no exceptions. Hell, I don't even use the first draft is always shit rule due to me wanting even the first draft to be as good as I can make it.

I'm always nervous about anything that I want to do in the story and stuff, hell, I started doubting whether I should do multiple POV in first person anymore. Doubt is truly the biggest creativity killer.

I'm pretty scared of fucking up big time while writing, that's why I can't seem to pull off 1000 words every other day anymore.

I'm not sure if I am showing characterization properly, or if I'm telling too much and not showing enough, or if it's even enjoyable to others

I really don't know what they mean by character voice, I can always tell what character is speaking based on words alone, does that mean they have a good voice or does that mean I can just instinctively understand who is talking?

Well, most of this rant is to help me organize my thoughts. I'm just doubting my abilities too much lately, to the point where I deleted a chapter several times due to doubting whether it's good or not.

This doubt is making the writing process take 10x longer than necessary. Which is just pain.

 

[EternalSunset0]

Tbh I'm not sure what I can say to make you feel better but I just wanna say to stay strong out there and hope you find that spark you need soon.

 

[gogo7966]

losing all hope helped me imensly with overcoming the same problem myself

 

[Napalm]

Yeah, I don't want to give into despair and lose all hope. Because that will truly be the biggest mistake I make, I just want to overcome my self-doubt.

 

[Representing_Tromba]

Sounds like you're bordering depression. I would consider talking to a therapist for advice. I have felt the same thing before and I was able to solve it through people reassuring me and taking a break from whatever it is I was doubting about myself. Though that doesn't work for everyone so I would definitely seek professional help.

 

[Motsu]

Is being pessimistic a reason to feel discouraged at the peak of your ability? Look, it's not like I am trying to get into a fight, but unlike the amateurs, confidence can be received if you believe in your ability and never give up. If someone told you that your story is not good and you have the opposite thoughts, would you feel the need to doubt yourself? You can, but it's a waste of time. What you need to do there is reflect on your mistakes, say your thanks to the person for reading and criticizing, and move on ahead with positive thoughts.

If you believe your life to be what you think it is, then you'll never reach your potential. It's like if you keep on thinking that a fish can't fly, then it will always swim for the rest of its life. Emotions are what makes us humans, but it is always a reason why we have too many flaws; envious intent leads to murder, wanting fame or social acknowledgement leads to doing stupid stuff in social medias. Learn to use your logic, the brain that creates your action.

Believe. Have compassion. Respect yourself. Yield patience that knows its logic.

 

[Jemini]

There are various tricks you can use to pull yourself out of this. It really depends though on what the root cause of these feelings is, and also where you are with your writing career.

I checked up on your story. It looks like you are getting a moderate number of viewers for your chapter count, and you do not have a donations option. This being the case, I think you are perfectly capable of using the #1 most effective option on the list.

Just stop caring and be Ok with the idea that your writing may not always be the best for the story. Just stop telling yourself that it has to be good, categorize your current story as an experiment, and give yourself permission to suck.

There is a saying that perfection is the enemy of good. That is to say, if you strive for perfection then you are just going to crash and burn, and you will crash and burn so hard that even "good" quality will no longer be within your reach.

This saying is something that's true in absolutely everything you do. However, it is something that is ESPECIALLY nasty with writing, because writing has another nasty little creature in it that synergizes in the worst way possible with this little truism.

Writing is a craft that cannot be taught. It is something you can only learn from doing. People can give you advice along the way that will increase your pace of improvement, but all the advice in the world is pointless without practice. And, with practice, you are ALWAYS going to be bad at it when you start. You get better from repetition. Doing it over and over and over again, improving by little bits with everything you do.

Also, slowing down is also perfectly fine. I've personally slowed down to around 3,000 words per week at one point. After a while, that slowed down pace allowed me to aclimate my skills a little bit. Then, I burst and sped up to 6,000 words per week, which is the pace I put out now. Don't be stressing over keeping a furious pace like 1,000 words per day. That's just going to burn you out. Cut down to around half that, acclimate to your skills a little, and then speed back up when you are better able to handle it and it comes easy for you.

 

[SakeVision]

same

 

[blanksphere]

Do you enjoy your own work at least to some extent? If yes, then, keep going. Some stories, more people will like, some stories, less people will like. Also, perfection to you might not be perfection to others.
I can't say I'm good at giving advice when I'm fairly new... but here it is? When you doubt yourself at a part of the story, ask yourself, do you enjoy what you're writing? If yes, keep going because there's at least one other person in this world who'll like it as as much as you do.
Basically, if you're a beginner, write for yourself first. The audience comes after. Once you're a pro and lives for it, then sure, you can try pleasing your readers.
I certainly doubt myself at times too, but I keep going. I can't say I enjoy 100% of the stuff I write, though I do like it enough to keep going.

 

[RepresentingCaution]

 

[KiraMinoru]

I'm currently in writing hell because I've started doubting myself, everytime I think to do something. I am like "Is this a good idea?" Which is generally good, but I've taken it too far.

I doubt my abilities at every possible plot point etc. I'm doubting myself in the prose, the character voice, characters, world building, hell anything to do with writing.

You see, unfortunately, I was always kind of a perfectionist. It doesn't limit me too much, but it makes moving on from things so hard. When I do something, I keep on doing it until it is perfect, no exceptions. Hell, I don't even use the first draft is always shit rule due to me wanting even the first draft to be as good as I can make it.

I'm always nervous about anything that I want to do in the story and stuff, hell, I started doubting whether I should do multiple POV in first person anymore. Doubt is truly the biggest creativity killer.

I'm pretty scared of fucking up big time while writing, that's why I can't seem to pull off 1000 words every other day anymore.

I'm not sure if I am showing characterization properly, or if I'm telling too much and not showing enough, or if it's even enjoyable to others

I really don't know what they mean by character voice, I can always tell what character is speaking based on words alone, does that mean they have a good voice or does that mean I can just instinctively understand who is talking?

Well, most of this rant is to help me organize my thoughts. I'm just doubting my abilities too much lately, to the point where I deleted a chapter several times due to doubting whether it's good or not.

This doubt is making the writing process take 10x longer than necessary. Which is just pain.

Just ask yourself the simple question ‘So what, who cares?’ anytime you think of something pointless. It’s the future you’s problem to deal with, not the present you.

 

[Zirrboy]

View attachment 11480

The fact that each of these is a separate file upload is highly disturbing to me.

 

[RepresentingCaution]

The fact that each of these is a separate file upload is highly disturbing to me.

I saved it in an easily accessible place on my computer.

 

[owotrucked]

"If anyone on the verge of action should judge himself according to the outcome, he would never begin."
Søren Kierkegaard