Writing Tips
5 Encouraging Lessons on Overcoming Doubt in Writing Gleaned From Jon Fosse
Gain valuable insights on overcoming doubt and improving your writing with these 5 tips inspired by Nobel Laureate Jon Fosse.
Introduction
Writing can be challenging and daunting. Doubt, criticism, and the fear of failure can make it difficult to find the confidence to pursue our creative ambitions. However, even esteemed writers have faced these hurdles and managed to overcome them. Explore the invaluable insights shared by Nobel Laureate Jon Fosse, who offers wisdom on navigating self-doubt and staying true to your unique voice. Let his advice inspire you to embrace your own writing journey.
“The worst enemy of our humanity is our self-doubt.”
Lolly Daskal, The Leadership Gap: What Gets Between You and Your Greatness
1. Listen to Yourself
Fosse’s best advice emphasizes the importance of trusting our inner voice over outside opinions. He encourages writers to rely on their own instincts and ideas instead of seeking validation from others. By staying true to ourselves and our vision, we can produce authentic and impactful writing.
“Resilience is accepting your new reality, even if it’s less good than the one you had before. You can fight it, you can do nothing but scream about what you’ve lost, or you can accept that and try to put together something that’s good.”
Elizabeth Edwards
2. Embrace Resilience
When Fosse’s first novel received negative reviews, he faced the temptation to give up. However, he chose to persevere, relying on his own knowledge and belief in his abilities. This resilience enabled him to keep writing and ultimately achieve success. Regardless of criticism or setbacks, maintaining a commitment to your craft is crucial.
“To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often.”
3. Avoid Letting Success Define You
Fosse recognizes the risks of allowing external recognition to influence our writing process. Regardless of whether he receives praise or criticism, he remains committed to his own vision and style. This serves as a reminder that the true value of our writing is determined by our own standards rather than the opinions of others.
“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.”
4. Embrace Change and Exploration
Despite achieving great acclaim for his plays, Fosse made the bold decision to return to his true passion for fiction and poetry. This willingness to change direction demonstrates the importance of staying true to your creative desires, even if it means deviating from what has brought you success before. Embrace the freedom to explore new genres and styles.
“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”
5. Focus on Personal Growth
Fosse’s advice reminds us to prioritize personal growth over external recognition. Regardless of awards or accolades, our main goal as writers should be to develop our skills continuously. By striving to improve our craft and explore new depths of creativity, we can find fulfillment and meaning in our writing journey.
Conclusion
Embarking on a writing journey is not without its challenges, but Nobel Laureate Jon Fosse’s words of wisdom offer invaluable guidance. His experiences teach us essential lessons in overcoming doubt in writing: listening to ourselves, embracing resilience, avoiding the shackles of success, embracing change, and prioritizing personal growth. Let Fosse’s experiences inspire you to navigate the obstacles and find the confidence to share your unique voice with the world. Remember, your writing is an expression of who you are and has the power to touch the lives of others.
Please consider donating to a charity near and dear to my heart if you believe this content has provided value in some way. Even a small donation to you can make a world of difference for those in need. Thank you.
