What Kind of Messages Are You Telling Yourself About Your Writing?
Help your writing by watching your internal dialogue
Have you ever felt stuck with your writing? Maybe you can’t get started. Or if you have a solid writing practice, maybe it’s not feeling so fun anymore.
If this sounds familiar, you might consider the messages you're giving yourself about your writing.
Recently, I joined several author/writing groups on Facebook. After exploring and sorting through some of the less helpful ones, I landed on one that seemed positive and uplifting. .
I enjoyed hearing about what people were working on, seeing their progress, and celebrating milestones. I checked in frequently, often commenting to lift new writers, share insights, and just appreciate being part of community.
All was well until I noticed something had shifted.
I realized I’d started visiting the group less frequently. And when I did visit, I wasn’t commenting on posts. Yes, I had been busy, and yes, the group is massive (over 25k), so there were a lot of posts. But I suspected something else was going on. Especially since I also noticed I’d been feeling a bit blah about my own work. I’d been sending fewer pieces out, making less time to submit.
My writing was feeling a little flat.
I read the energy of what was going on and, guess what?
I saw that since joining the group, my internal messages had changed. Every day in that group there are many posts from writers and authors from every part of the world. They are sharing their published cookbooks, poetry collections, and memoirs. They are touting their family histories, novels, and sci-fi series.
What was happening was every time one of those authors posted, overjoyed, and sharing her book, I was subconsciously telling myself something that simply wasn’t true:
I was making the fact that they had their books in hand—while I’m still in the process of looking for a publisher and finding a home for my manuscript—mean that my work wasn't good enough.
That my writing wasn't good enough.
With a jolt of insight, I felt both embarrassed and optimistic.
Embarrassed, because I mentor writers, and I should know better, right? Optimistic, because what I know from my nearly eight years of coaching experience is that you can always change your thoughts.
When an editor or panel of judges or your best friend says they don’t like your work, what does that mean? Really? It means that it wasn't right for them at that time. There can be a hundred reasons why that is, none of which means that your work isn't good.
Once I realized what was going on, I felt lighter. Freer. I was able to make a new list of places to send several poems and manuscript to, and I’ve already sent submissions to the first few.
No matter what stage of the writing journey you’re at—whether you’re just getting started playing with creative writing prompts or are busy revising your memoir—becoming aware of your internal messaging lets you see where you might be standing in your own way and discover a different way forward.
If you’d like more information on any unconscious messages, beliefs, or patterns that may be impacting your writing, I invite you to sign up for an Intuitive Energy Reading. You’ll walk away with clarity on what wants attention in your writing life, an understanding of your energy dynamics, and a practical next step to move you forward.