A few words on confidence
The first time I was published in Chicken Soup for the Soul, I wasn’t quite proud of the essay that got selected. I mean, I liked it, but it wasn’t my best work. So I figured, hey, I could write for them pretty often. They haven’t even seen my best yet. Unfortunately, that’s still my only clip with them.
Over-confidence is never good.
Fast forward a couple of years. A very tough-to-break-into and one of my favorite magazines sent me on assignment. Came back, wrote the article in record speed and stalled on sending it in. My confidence was so low that my photographer actually had to read it out loud to convince me that it worked. The editor asked me to write for them again, and again… but I always felt that maybe they weren’t so hot after all. Must not get too many submissions, I thought. UNTIL… I heard from a very successful freelancer whose queries had been rejected dozens of times. Not only that, the only time she came close to writing for them was when she submitted an assigned article, and the editor rejected it because it didn’t match the voice of the magazine. Later, I heard from another freelancer who’d been trying them for years with no luck and wanted to know how I pulled it off.
No confidence is never good either.
February 28th, 2008 at 10:01 pm
There’s a lot of wisdom packed into this short post, Mridu. I think that’s where I’m at: not much confidence. It really affects my writing and the pursuit of my dreams…
*off to find a little confidence…*
February 28th, 2008 at 11:07 pm
I think the only way to increase confidence is to do the things that you (a) think you can’t, and (b) are afraid to do.
Call an editor enough times and bingo, one day you have the confidence to do it without thinking twice. Ask for higher rates each time, and soon you’re wondering why you didn’t do it before. Take on enough assignments you think you can’t handle, and desperation will make you handle them.
Try it.
February 28th, 2008 at 11:28 pm
You’re right. I struggle with the phone because I’m a horrid phone buddy. I freeze up, don’t know what to say and I’m out of my comfort zone - writing. It will be hard, but I know it’s something I must do.
Soon, there will be more changes in my life than ever. I know I’m taking a step in the right direction, and I know I’ll be a better writer for it.
As I sit here and type, I’m already anxious over my latest milestone. Within the next few days, I’ll hear back from an editor I managed to impress… with my first $1 per word assignment! No pressure… nah….
Thanks for your kind words. I appreciate it!
March 7th, 2008 at 6:04 am
Ooh, congratulations! Let us know when it’s out.