Happy Sunday to all of you. It’s been a long rough week of rain and uncertainty. The reason that I say uncertainty is because over the past week I have had a lot of ups and downs about my book and my future as an Author and also trying to keep up with my studies in the Editing class that I’m in. I have a long history of self-doubt as a writer and that is what contributed to me waiting until late in life to get published. But while I’ve been connecting with other writers on social media, I noticed something that I really needed to become aware of and it’s that I am not alone.

If you are a new or up and coming writer, I am sure that you too have wrestled with feelings of fear and self-doubt when trying to complete a novel or wondering if this is even the career for you. A lot of important questions come to mind like, “Can I really commit to writing an entire novel?” or “Do I really have what it takes to be an Author?” I used to be terrified to let other people read my work because I was afraid of what people would say about it. I’m glad that I overcame that fear or else I would not be working on my fourth novel right now.

I believe that everyone is given a special gift. And it is our duty to use that gift. Whether you’re an actor, a musician, singer, rapper, dancer, poet or writer, the world needs what you have to offer, even if you think you don’t have anything new to offer to the world. Everyone is different and no matter how many times a song has been written about love, or dance has been performed to the same music or same style nobody can do it like you. Everyone has their own way of doing anything and everything and we must not believe that we have nothing different to offer a particular career or artistic expression.

Have you ever felt like there was something you should be doing, and it nudges you all the time and makes you feel like the job you have been doing is not the route you should be taking in life? I know that feeling well and I’ve had it for years. I ignored that feeling and that is something that I have regretted to this day. Because I let fear hold me back. I allowed self-doubt about my abilities as a writer consume me. I still struggle with it sometimes but luckily when that feeling comes along, I somehow manage to kick it to the curb. Something always happens to prove to me that I am doing exactly what I should be doing.

We are so lucky to be allowed to have a voice in a society that allows us to have freedom of expression. What would we do without poetry, books, music and film, dance, art, and many other creative forms? Why should we deprive the world of what we can do? Because I guarantee you, even though there may be somebody out there who doesn’t like what we do…there will also be somebody out there who does. And that’s what I want to focus on. The positive aspects of writing. And the different ways a story can be told. If I stopped doing what I do, I would be lost and unfulfilled instead of being true to myself which is the secret to being truly happy. Being true to yourself no matter who or what you are. Just do you.

Until next time and have a great week…