One of the hardest things about being a writer is that you often spend months, even years, working on a project — without knowing how it will be received.
Some writers don’t mind this. They simply enjoy writing and don’t care whether anyone else enjoys it or not.
But many of us write with the goal of being published and read.
Inevitably, we face the question: “What if this isn’t good enough? What if no one even likes it?”
The hidden sting behind that “What if” question is that it makes it more likely that your writing won’t be good enough.
I know from personal experience that the more one focuses on whether or not your work will be “good enough,” the more you struggle with writer’s block.
You are also more likely to second-guess yourself and over-edit your work, removing the authentic “human” element that enables you to connect with readers.
Worst of all, it can lead you into a spiral of fear and anxiety that will crush your joy and prevent you from being able to pour your very best into your writing.
I don’t have a magic formula to drive away this question, but here are some things you can ask yourself as you wrestle with self-doubt:
What is my definition of “good enough?”
Is this question purely based on fear or does it stem from a realistic view of my own work? If it comes from knowing deep down that my writing isn’t good enough, what are some practical things I can do to improve it?
Why do I write? Do I write solely for the purpose of being “good enough”?
Where do I find my identity?
Will I be a failure if my writing isn’t as good as I would like it to be? (By the way, the answer is no!)
The reality is that every one of us still has a lot to learn. You can always be a better writer than you are now. As my grandfather used to say, “Artists never stop practicing.”
Here are some super practical tips for responding to the “Is this good enough?” question with action instead of anxiety.
Write short pieces first and get feedback on them. Don’t spend 5 years working on a novel without ever showing your writing to anyone. Yes, I know it’s hard to lay bare those innermost ideas, but it can put you at a disadvantage. You don’t have to share the entire first draft of something with a complete stranger. My suggestion would be to write short pieces or to share a few chapters with people you trust to be kind but honest.
Learn to love constructive criticism (even if it hurts). I’ll be honest. The first edition of my first book got some rather harsh (but admittedly true) reviews. But (eventually) those reviews turned out to be a huge blessing. They motivated me to create a second edition and that novel is now doing much better than the first edition did.
Read a lot! Read good writing, and read about writing. The more you read, the better your writing will become. It’s that simple. :)
Is your writing good enough?
That depends on what you mean by “good enough.”
Could you be a better writer in a year’s time than you are now? Of course!
Should you wait a few years before publishing? I can’t answer that.
But I will urge you to never, ever let fear keep you from moving forward.
There are times when we do need to evaluate our work honestly. There are also times when we need to keep pressing forward.
When those doubts rear their ugly heads, respond with proactivity, not with anxiety.
And keep writing!
I’m putting together a free “Kickstarter Journey” email series where I’ll share what I’m learning as I build my second Kickstarter campaign — both the wins and the mistakes — in a way that’s actually useful if you ever want to run your own.
You’ll get behind-the-scenes insight into:
the nitty-gritty details of setting up a campaign (campaign page, rewards, timeline, etc.)
what works to create buzz without feeling pushy
how to successfully run a Kickstarter campaign from outside the USA
and more!
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