Am I Good Enough?

[Viki]

So I recently changed my major to English because I realised that I what I really want to do in life is write, to be a published author. I don't regret my decision, but I'm starting to feel afraid that I'm not good enough to make it. My writing is alright I guess, but I'm just not sure I have enough talent to make a career out of it and it's really been freaking me out the past couple days. Anyone else have similar feelings?

[Lillian Dougherty]

I have feelings like this all the time about my own writing ability. I think it's common. But I would say don't worry about things like talent. If you concentrate on that and declare yourself untalented than there's nothing you can do -- You just weren't born with it. Just think of it as a skill and the people who made it made not because of some inborn talent but because they honed their skills. And that's all you have to do. Just practice and you will be good enough, if you are not already. 

[Viki]

I've had a few friends read my writing and they always tell me they like it and that they think it's good, I just have a hard time believing them. I guess I'm just overly critical when it comes to my own stuff.

[Carrie]

All the time. I talked myself into becoming a teacher because I didn't think I could make it as an author. However, I soon found I hated the thought of becoming a teacher. So, I'm taking the chance, and I've switched my major. Only time will tell. All I can tell you is that if you're happy, despite the worry, if you are really happy, no matter the outcome, your talent, or your future career that's where you should be in life.  

[Viki]

I was originally an education major as well. I loved it at first, but now when I try and picture myself teaching, it feels all wrong.

[Carrie]

I know how that feels. I couldn't believe how weird it felt to even think about being a teacher. Sometimes I feel as if I'm just a writer thorough and through. As for feeling as if your work isn't as good as everyone thinks, I always say that's an author thing. My roommate and I (who also happens to enjoy writing...) fight about who the better author is. She seems to think my talents outweigh hers, and I think that she blows my writing out of the water. It takes a lot to see your own talents. I'm sure you're a great author but, like so many others, have trouble seeing it on your own. 

[Viki]

Thanks :-) I've been trying not to let it get to me, but for some reason lately it has. It doesn't really help that a lot of people I know tried to talk me out of the major change, not because they lack faith in my writing, but because it's such a risk. They think I should let writing be a hobby and if it leads somewhere later on, then great, and if it doesn't, then I didn't screw up my whole future.

[Carrie]

I've just stopped telling people I'm going to be an author. If they ask, I tell them I'm going to sit in a book store or a library and be very good at English. That usually gets them to leave me alone. :) 

[Mollyann Howe]

It's very normal for a writer to feel self-conscious about their work. I do it all the time. I'm a fellow English major, a decision I made for the reasons you said. But I feel that way all the time when I have to write something for school, or even otherwise. But I've noticed the pieces that I feel the most comfortable about how good they are are the ones I get the lowest grades on. So feeling like you're not good enough is perfectly okay, maybe even a good thing. :P Cocky for me at least seems to be turning out badly.

[Clare Holman-Hobbs]

I promise you, with my hand on my heart, that everyone will feel this way about themselves. Whether that is to do with your chosen career, your relationship, whatever. Everyone at some point will ask, am I good enough? 

If you don't have confidence in yourself, have confidence in knowing that you are not alone in this!

I am a Creative Writer and I have been doing a course in the UK for nearly a year now. I still have doubts about myself and my writing. Honestly, the more you work at it, the more you will feel confident in yourself. 

The trick is to be realistic, not pessimistic. Know your strengths and allow them to flourish but work hard and be daring in the areas you feel least confident in.

I really hope this helps :) Believe me, we're in the same boat. 

[Cameron (Biscuit Chief)]

Don't doubt your skills. Skills can always be improved, even from the ground up. As long as you feel you have the imagination to create works you care about, and hope that others will enjoy it too, is enough.

[Brianna Marie]

Writing is something that everyone sucks at in the beginning. What separates the "winners" from the "losers" is how hard you work at it. The more you write, the better you write. The more you read, the better you write. Find a writing group, go to workshops, write, read, write, read.... Writing is something you earn. It's something you work at. Some people have a natural inclination, but that doesn't separate the novelists from the unpublished.