Sitting Around Feeling Like a Failure

On Saturday I enjoyed a wonderful day at Spotlight on Books in Grand Rapids, Minnesota.  Besides the wonderful opportunity for sharing my historical novels, Abercrombie Trail and Pomme de Terre, with an audience of librarians,  the conference included excellent workshops by Sarah Weeks and Alison McGhee.

One thing that Alison McGhee said continues to resonate in my brain.  Alison McGhee teaches creative writing at Minnesota universities and has had a most successful writing career.  My personal favorite of her books is Shadow Baby but she has written many others and has been on the best seller list more than once.  In spite of this, Alison said that being a writer means sitting around most days feeling like a failure.

I was shocked.   Alison McGhee feels like a failure?  She is an example of writing success and yet admits to the same feelings of inadequacy that trouble my writing life.

The writing journey is not for the faint of heart.  In addition to the ongoing struggle to find the story and get the words on the page, there is the never ending battle of self doubt and analysis.  It takes a lot of courage to write from the heart and send it out to be evaluated by readers.  Rejection is a huge risk in the writing process and stings every time it rears its ugly head.

Alison McGhee’s statement encourages me.  When I’m feeling inadequate and doomed to failure, I’ll remember that she feels the same way.  It’s good to know that self doubt is just part of the writing process.   Thanks, Alison, for the reminder.