Janet Sumner Johnson
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On Doubt

Oct 07, 2013 Uncategorized 8 comments

Today I wanted to share a quote that I found inspiring:

“Doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith.” -Dieter F. Uchtdorf

The business of becoming an author is almost as much about learning to deal with rejection as it is about learning to write. Rejection from agents. Rejection from editors. Rejection from readers.

It is no wonder that doubts creep in: Is my writing good enough? Do I have what it takes to continue? Do I have any ideas worth sharing with the world?

And really this is what it all comes down to. Our success is not so much based on our inherent ability, but on our determination to keep trying even when we doubt. Even when it seems impossible. Even when it feels like the world is telling us to quit.

We must cling to the faith we have in ourselves. The faith that our hard work and determination can conquer any odds.

We CAN’T let doubt pull us down. Because we CAN do this!

8 comments , , , ,

8 Responses to “On Doubt”

  1. Nice boost of much needed motivation today, thanks, Janet!

  2. That's a great quote! Thanks!

    It seems very apt for me right now, since — after a moment of brief excitement and inspiration — I was having doubts again about my next WIP, the third book in a series.

    Since I pulled off Books 1 & 2 to the satisfaction of my editor, why would I doubt Book 3 so much? Just because I hadn't worked out all the plot kinks yet? All my books begin like that!

    Your quote points out the real problem. My doubt is based on a faulty premise: that I can't write a good story. I need to doubt the validity of the doubt, and let my writing process develop as it always does (starting with a really stinky first draft!).

  3. Old Kitty says:

    Yes we CAN!! 🙂

    Take care
    x

  4. Great post. Great quote.

  5. Marcia says:

    Very good quote. Yes, doubt is inevitable, so it doesn't make sense that it should stop us, or *nobody* would ever do it.

  6. Just when you think you've passed one hurtle, there's always another one waiting. I'm nervous about the reader part. They tend not to write form rejections or give you the silent treatment.

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