Write with confidence.
March1
I’ve written some pretty big posts lately, so I’m keeping this simple.
What does it mean to write with confidence?
I know this is one of those huge Do’s in writing. We’re supposed to write with confidence. But what does that really mean and how do you know if you’re accomplishing it? Can we discuss this in the comments, please? 
Oh, and don’t forget to enter my contest for a chance to win The 3 A.M. Epiphany by Brian Kiteley. The deadline is March 6th!!
What I take from it is a sense that we need to, whether we believe it or not, write without the fear of being terrible. Even if we aren’t living up to whatever standards we think we should be, success starts with belief. If we don’t have the confidence in ourselves that we can write something good, no one else is going to read that work and consider it anything but the half-hearted attempt it is. This isn’t to say that you have to believe that you’re churning out gold, but you have to throw caution to the wind and be honest about where you are.
[Reply]
Regan Leigh Reply:
March 1st, 2010 at 6:39 pm
So how do you know if a writer isn’t confident? How does their work read to you? Or can you tell? Just curious cause I’m not sure I’m getting it. I don’t know how to watch out for that myself in my own writing.
[Reply]
Chris Reply:
March 2nd, 2010 at 10:39 am
There isn’t anything that lights up and tells you if a writer is lacking confidence, it’s more of an idea to convince you to believe in yourself. There are times when you can feel the text merely sitting on the page, and in every one of those cases, there’s usually something different causing the flatness.
The main idea about confidence is that you need to watch your attitude as you write, making sure that you believe you have the ability to turn out something good. You don’t have to be in love with every word you write, but if you go into writing thinking you are destined to create nothing but sub-standard junk, improvement will be much harder than it needs to be.
[Reply]
Hey Regan! I left you a prize on my blog!
[Reply]
Also – I have no idea what it means to write with confidence. If you find out, please let me know. =)
[Reply]
Good question, and I agree with Chris’s answer. I’ve been writing recently about developing a voice, and concluded that a good voice is one the author is confident to use, and doesn’t feel the need to change very much when they read someone new they are impressed with. It is the courage to say things your way and bring readers into your world.
[Reply]
Regan Leigh Reply:
March 1st, 2010 at 6:41 pm
Hm, okay I can see that… the author’s voice. I know what you mean about hearing other author’s voices in someone else’s work. So deciphering your own writing voice is a key. I feel that I do that fairly well now, but didn’t a year ago. It was a process and one I’m not through with.
Practice brought it out better than anything.
[Reply]
To me, “writing with confidence” means to write and skip all the “I’m a terrible writer” crap as you do so. Just get words down on the page, don’t edit, and keep yourself optimistic. “This could be worse” is optimistic enough, in my book – just as long as you keep writing. I know my definition doesn’t sound very fun, but it’s about the best people can do. Come on: We’re all proud of *something* we wrote!
[Reply]
For me, “writing with confidence” means to be true to your process. To write as you need to and not how you feel you should. Right now I’m a bit obsessed with my own process, so maybe that’s informing my opinions at the moment. They could change with my next epiphany, but maybe that’s what confidence is, in this respect: trusting yourself to adapt and change. (Oh dear, the punctuation gone wild in that sentence, but that’s okay because I’m “trusting myself and my writing.” lol) Standing where you are at any given moment and being truly committed to following through with the words, thoughts and style that you are spinning as they choose to be right then. Having the courage to trust in your instincts and let go. You can always edit, right?
I guess that was my own little rant. Remember, I’m mid-epiphany here, so thought I’d share my bliss.
[Reply]