Are you “bad at writing,” or do you just need more practice?
Is your paper “terrible,” or is it simply a rough draft?
Do you lack skills, or do you lack confidence?
Let’s consider some ways that you can build confidence in your writing…
- Don’t try to do everything at once. Papers are written sentence by sentence, paragraph by paragraph. Use sentences and paragraphs as building blocks, concentrating on one piece at a time. Set small, attainable goals, such as writing for 5 or 10 minutes, or writing a certain number of words or sentences per writing session. Reward yourself when you reach your goal!
- Plan ahead and make yourself a schedule. Think about the different steps or stages you’ll need to complete your assignment (prewriting, research, drafting, revising, etc.) and then budget your time accordingly. This can make the whole process feel less overwhelming and more approachable.
- Embrace imperfection, and embrace the roughness of the first draft. As the writer Anne Lamott has observed, a first draft does not have to be good—it just has to be written. Even seasoned writers start with initial, unpolished, messy versions and build from there. Don’t expect perfection from the start (or ever!).
- Build a routine where you write regularly. For some, the mind works best first thing in the morning. For night owls, the best ideas come late at night. Regardless of when you work best, pick a time each day to spend a little bit of time writing. Ten or fifteen minutes per day is a great time frame to start, and then you can build your stamina little by little, over time.
- Listen to feedback and take action. Receiving feedback on how to improve a draft doesn’t mean you’re a bad writer; it just means you’re a writer. All writers solicit feedback. Try not to view it as a personal criticism (it’s not!), and instead see it as an opportunity to learn, improve, and reframe your writing.
- Try to silence your inner critic. Sometimes critical inner voices can be overwhelming, but such thoughts are often distorted or just plain false. Instead of taking them to heart, try to build a practice of questioning them, talking back to them, or simply observing them neutrally and letting them go.
- Write yourself a letter about your frustrations, with an eye toward solutions. Sometimes the best way to get rid of toxic thoughts about writing is to purge them through writing itself. Set a timer for ten minutes and write continuously about your frustrations, fears, and insecurities. When you’re finished, set a timer for five minutes and shift into solutions mode. Has your thinking shifted at all? What new approach might you try to tackle the assignment? What practices could help you overcome your fears?
- Seek out a writing community. Find a writing partner in your class, or meet with a writing tutor to discuss your work, so that you feel less isolated in this process. This person can listen and respond to your ideas, read drafts, and give encouragement when you need it.
- Accept that writing is challenging. Do it anyway. If you find writing difficult, you are not alone. Even professional authors who write every day will agree that clearly communicating your original thoughts on the page is one of the most difficult things one can undertake, but it can also be one of the most rewarding.