WRITING PROCESS | BELIEF

It’s Ok To Feel Insecure — Keep Writing

It took me a long time to say, “I AM a writer.”

Worn keyboard on an old laptop. Hundreds of thousands of words will do that. — Author Photo

I still get the jitters a little when publishing on Medium.

At 52 years old, it pisses me off, to be honest.

I’ve surfed 14-foot waves by myself, slept hanging on a vertical wall during a multiday rock climb, and trekked through Nepal during a revolution. All this may sound scary, but the scariest thing I’ve done and still do is write and share my writing.

Even after winning writing contests and receiving comments praising my books and stories, there’s still a little kid in me occasionally wondering if my writing is worthy.

When I first started writing and sharing over 20 years ago, I immediately understood why so many actors, musicians, and artists are alcoholics or drug addicts. Creating and putting yourself out there to be judged is terrifying — period.

My confidence as a kid was pretty high due to my athletic abilities, which is a significant measure as a young boy and teen. Even when I had nerdy glasses, and my mom cut my hair in Middle School, I considered myself a cool kid. I believed I could be good at any sport I took on. One doesn’t pull off a multiday rock climb without believing in oneself…