I’m a confident writer

/ Tracy Abell

Friday night I had a conversation with two parents from Zebu’s basketball team.  We don’t know each other very well so I was thrilled when the dad wanted to talk about books.  The conversation moved from books we’ve read to the kind of books I write.  I’d told them upfront I’m a writer and also said I hadn’t yet broken through but that I knew I was close to getting published.  The mom wanted to know if I’d made any money from my writing.  I said no.  The conversation continued with the dad asking questions about my current book out in the world.  The mom stared at me and then stated, "You write but you’ve never made any money."

"Not yet," I said.  "But it’ll happen because I’m not giving up."

At that moment I probably should’ve been a little nervous.  Or depressed.  Or angry.  Something.  But I wasn’t.  I felt absolute confidence in me and my work.  

This whole exchange couldn’t have been better timed since Nathan Bransford recently linked to this analysis of writerly confidence versus delusion.  And now that I’ve reread it, I can say without a doubt that while the basketball mom undoubtedly considers me delusional, I know the truth:  I’m a confident writer.

                 

26 thoughts on “I’m a confident writer”

    • You know, I did kind of feel as if a whole lot of other writers were sitting behind me as I spoke. We need to band together in the face of negativity and discouragement.
      Spread the confidence!

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  2. I vascillate, and that’s my problem. When I tell people I’m a writer, they always ask what I’ve published. Never mind the fact that I’ve published many freelance articles; they zero in on the fact that my book’s not yet ready for publication. Drip, drip, drip…that erodes my confidence. 😦
    But even though I have many moments of doubt (as you know well), I really do believe WITNESS will eventually sell.

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  3. I vascillate, and that’s my problem. When I tell people I’m a writer, they always ask what I’ve published. Never mind the fact that I’ve published many freelance articles; they zero in on the fact that my book’s not yet ready for publication. Drip, drip, drip…that erodes my confidence. 😦

    But even though I have many moments of doubt (as you know well), I really do believe WITNESS will eventually sell.

    Like

  4. You and I met, in real life, at the Rutgers, you can only get in if you are hardworking writer and not delusional, conference!
    Maybe you could show her your nametag!
    THIS IS OUR YEAR! WE are both confident.
    (I always carry a book in my purse to basketball games so the teens and I (mostly they are reluctant readers-but good students) talk about books! I have referred many teens to the ALA banned book list. I figure if it is banned by anyone it makes it better.

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    • I love your definition of Rutgers! Delusional need not apply!
      Glad you’re feeling the confidence, too, Laura. Yes, we can.
      Great idea about carrying a book and recommending the banned book list. Very wily strategies.

      Like

  5. You and I met, in real life, at the Rutgers, you can only get in if you are hardworking writer and not delusional, conference!
    Maybe you could show her your nametag!

    THIS IS OUR YEAR! WE are both confident.

    (I always carry a book in my purse to basketball games so the teens and I (mostly they are reluctant readers-but good students) talk about books! I have referred many teens to the ALA banned book list. I figure if it is banned by anyone it makes it better.

    Like

  7. You know, I did kind of feel as if a whole lot of other writers were sitting behind me as I spoke. We need to band together in the face of negativity and discouragement.

    Spread the confidence!

    Like

  8. I love your definition of Rutgers! Delusional need not apply!

    Glad you’re feeling the confidence, too, Laura. Yes, we can.

    Great idea about carrying a book and recommending the banned book list. Very wily strategies.

    Like

    • Um, okay. But it’s really strong stuff so pace yourself.
      (Go look in the mirror and tell yourself “I’m good enough, I’m smart enough, and gosh darn it, people like me.”)

      Like

  12. Um, okay. But it’s really strong stuff so pace yourself.

    (Go look in the mirror and tell yourself “I’m good enough, I’m smart enough, and gosh darn it, people like me.”)

    Like

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