Showing posts with label confidence. Show all posts
Showing posts with label confidence. Show all posts
Friday, August 16, 2013
Las Vegas, Confidence...and Wigs
I love my new wig...and maybe when I'm all silver I will have my natural hair dyed this color... Hee, hee.
What does a lavender wig have to do with anything? Well, it
can spark plot ideas, lift the spirits, challenge my costume shopping gene…
Now, what is really funny about this… I had this hairstyle
when I was in third grade. In fact, this is one of my all-time favorite school
pictures. It wasn’t until I got home from Vegas, where I bought the wig, that I
realized how similar these two hairstyles are.
Third grade was the year the family moved to a new city.
First time I dealt with mean girls who were mean just because they could be.
Which I didn’t understand at all, so I stood up to them, eyes clear and
confident that I was right. (I was.) Ran into a friend I made in that new city
a few years ago, who remembered clearly how I made Debbie stop picking on her.
I don’t remember it. I guess because it didn’t seem extraordinary to me. It
certainly was to L.
I’ve been thinking a lot about confidence lately, as I seem
to be falling in and out of black hole regarding what confidence I have. I don’t
know if a lavender wig will help me, though I do find a pirate hat at
conventions does wonders for my ability to connect with people. (Now, if only
all those compliments about the hat would translate into some of these people
taking a chance on buying a pirate story…)
Do you remember when
you were the bravest kid in school? Or knew the bravest kid in school? Do you
think it was a matter of confidence or ignorance? ;-)
Friday, March 28, 2008
The Power of Praise
From an early age I was taught to show respect, and gratitude to others. I learned to treat others as I wanted to be treated. As a reader I can’t help but feel gratitude toward some of my favorite authors. They inspire me and provide me with hours of gratified reading. I call my favorite authors the Dream Team. I make a point to buy their books as soon as they are released, and if I haven’t met them, I’ve sent them an email expressing my appreciation for their work. It doesn’t disappointment me if I never receive a response, as long as I am able to express my awe at their talent, I feel fulfilled.
I believe that no matter how successful you become, you always benefit from praise.
The praise I have received in the past is what drives me to become something more. In my writing life, praise is what fuels my confidence. The first time I posted a chapter of fan fiction no one left me a review. I took it as an indication that it was bad, and in hindsight I know it lacked grammatical skill. I’ve received good and bad reviews, and some of the better ones I can still recite. What made me believe in myself as a writer was a review left by one of my fellow pirates. I admire everything that she writes, and in praising me, she gave me what I craved the most-validation. It’s wonderful to receive praise from family and friends, but when a fellow writer gives you kudos it means something. It gives you the confidence to persevere.
In times when my confidence is at a low point I pick up a book by a favorite author and find inspiration within the pages. All authors have a launching point. Every writer’s success begins with a story. I may not have the talent of the authors on my Dream Team, but I have the same opportunities. With hard work and determination I can accomplish my dreams. Although a writer benefits from praise from a peer, their sustaining confidence comes from within. It’s the kind of confidence that kicks in at 2AM when you’re all alone and struggling to find the right words.
“Can’t never does anything.”
I’ve heard that phrase all my life, and it holds much truth. In our writing lives, can’t should be erased from our vocabulary. Yesterday, Marnee blogged about writing historical romance. I’ve often said I don’t have the voice to write a historical romance. In hindsight I should say I could if I had the desire. It’s a common occurrence to avoid things that are the most difficult to attempt. As writers we know our strengths and weaknesses. We obviously choose to write the type of romance we feel we express well. I often forget that some of the best stories I’ve written I considered out of my comfort zone. Once again the key to expression is confidence.
If we believe we achieve.
What fuels your confidence? Do you believe praise is an important component to a writer’s determination, or do you believe confidence is more effective when it comes from within? Do you ever voice praise to your favorite authors?
I believe that no matter how successful you become, you always benefit from praise.
The praise I have received in the past is what drives me to become something more. In my writing life, praise is what fuels my confidence. The first time I posted a chapter of fan fiction no one left me a review. I took it as an indication that it was bad, and in hindsight I know it lacked grammatical skill. I’ve received good and bad reviews, and some of the better ones I can still recite. What made me believe in myself as a writer was a review left by one of my fellow pirates. I admire everything that she writes, and in praising me, she gave me what I craved the most-validation. It’s wonderful to receive praise from family and friends, but when a fellow writer gives you kudos it means something. It gives you the confidence to persevere.
In times when my confidence is at a low point I pick up a book by a favorite author and find inspiration within the pages. All authors have a launching point. Every writer’s success begins with a story. I may not have the talent of the authors on my Dream Team, but I have the same opportunities. With hard work and determination I can accomplish my dreams. Although a writer benefits from praise from a peer, their sustaining confidence comes from within. It’s the kind of confidence that kicks in at 2AM when you’re all alone and struggling to find the right words.
“Can’t never does anything.”
I’ve heard that phrase all my life, and it holds much truth. In our writing lives, can’t should be erased from our vocabulary. Yesterday, Marnee blogged about writing historical romance. I’ve often said I don’t have the voice to write a historical romance. In hindsight I should say I could if I had the desire. It’s a common occurrence to avoid things that are the most difficult to attempt. As writers we know our strengths and weaknesses. We obviously choose to write the type of romance we feel we express well. I often forget that some of the best stories I’ve written I considered out of my comfort zone. Once again the key to expression is confidence.
If we believe we achieve.
What fuels your confidence? Do you believe praise is an important component to a writer’s determination, or do you believe confidence is more effective when it comes from within? Do you ever voice praise to your favorite authors?
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