Friday, May 23, 2008

Writer's Doubt

While I don't often suffer a bout of writer's block anymore, I constantly go through fits of writer's doubt. Right now I'm in pretty deep.

I have never ever doubted my ability to come up with a killer story, but I constantly doubt the words that come out of my head to convey that story. Am I any good at writing, really? Am I just kidding myself with trying?

Sometimes I feel like I might be one of those American Idol contestants--you know the ones I'm talking about. I think I sound amazing. I think I'm the next American Idol. Then they go up to the judges, and all of America for that matter, and they can't sing a note in tune and forget half the lyrics...then they beg the judges for another chance because they just know they are a star.

I know that kind of doubt is unhealthy, but sometimes I just can't help but think that even if I have a great story idea, I'll never be able to execute it well enough to merit publication.

"Don't quit your day job," says Simon.