Author Confidence Writing Tag

What does that mean?
​What does it even look like?
​

Once again, I’m responding to a YouTube Tag by Elysia Lumen Strife. This time on, you guessed it, Author Confidence.

---

What has been your biggest struggle as a writer/author?

Learning the craft. I wasn’t always an avid reader. Growing up I preferred TV and movies to books. I dabbled in writing over the years, a few poems and short stories just as a creative outlet, but I rarely shared these with anyone outside my immediate family or a select group of friends. I created many worlds since childhood, but I never made a serious effort until I was in my early 40’s when I stopped waiting for someone to write a story based on my favorite daydream world and did it myself. Whoo Boy has it been a steep learning curve since I started.

---

What is your proudest moment within your writing/career?

Last year I attended a workshop with David Farland, and had the opportunity to chat one on one for a minute as he signed a copy of his book “Million Dollar Outlines.” I told him my dream was to win the Writer’s of the Future’s Golden Pen award. He wished me luck, started to walk away, then paused for a moment and locked eyes with me. “I think you’ll do it.” He said. I share that, because in other situations (newsletters, blogs, interviews, etc) he’s mentioned several famous authors who he “had a feeling about” and implied he had that same feeling about me. WOW! After that experience, I’d say my proudest moment(s) have been receiving three Honorable Mention awards from WOTF. One per year since 2016.

---

What do you think determines success?

• Market success, in my opinion, is easier to quantify or qualify as number of book sales, profits from royalties, publicity online, TV, the news, interviews, etc.
  
• Personal success takes on many forms. For me, I think the ultimate success would come in the form of a letter from a fan saying “Your book changed my life.” Financial independence would also be nice.
  

---

What is your personal recommendation for constructive networking?

Make friends. Whether it’s in person or social media, treat everyone as a person first, and their career second. Other writers, editors, and publishers are people too. People need to feel appreciated as themselves before they engage in a business transaction. And most people do business with others they respect. So make friends in the writing community, not just contacts. You’ll be surprised how this will benefit your life, even if it doesn’t do the same for your career.

---

What constructive tips do you have for new authors?

You don’t know what you don’t know. Writing is an organic process. Each time you put pen to paper, you learn something new about the craft and yourself. Everyone has something to teach you, no matter how long they’ve been alive, or in the writing game. When I meet people, I hope I walk away having learned something new that I can apply to the craft.

---

What motivates you to write?

I want to make a difference. I want to leave a legacy for my children; that they, too, can reach their goals. I want to add something of value to the world. I want to write a story that will make someone say “your words/book changed my life,” even if it’s just a tweet.

---

Why do you write?

An analogy comes to mind: You know that valve on a pressure cooker that releases steam so the pot doesn’t explode? Well, for me, writing is that relief valve. I can tell when it’s been too long since I’d done something creative; even writing a tweet for one of my favorite hashtag prompts. I need to get my creative energy exorcised, otherwise I get cranky. It’s also kind of like getting hungry. I have a need, and the only way it gets sated is by expressing myself in writing.

---

Do you have a slogan/motto/catch phrase for your writing?

No, but perhaps one day it will be: 
​

​“It may not be good, but I did it well.”

---

via GIPHY

---