What did you think was the coolest job in the world when you were younger? Do you still feel that way now?
When I was younger I wanted to be a writer. I imagined my name on the cover of novels. It was my dream. I literally would dream about being a famous writer. I’d wake up from the dream at eight-years-old and be disappointed that it wasn’t real.
As a youngster, I would tell adults that I wanted to be a writer. I remember telling my friend’s mother what my life goal was. She laughed at said “so what are you going to do for money?”
I stood there dumbfounded at nine. I didn’t realize just how hard the life of a writer was.
And it is hard. I have been freelancing for some time now, and it is brutally hard. I’ve had to develop a tough skin out of sheer necessity. Undoubtedly, I’ve had some significant success as a writer. I’ve been published on major news outlets. However, I still cringe when I receive those rejection emails. It makes me question my skill.
Maybe I am not a good writer.
What am I doing wrong?
What are those other people who are getting the acceptance emails doing right?
The self doubt is one of the hardest parts of being a writer. I have learned (and I have to continually remind myself) that I am doing the best that I can.The most valuable thing I can do for myself and my craft is to learn from my rejection letters. Wallowing in self pity gets you nowhere. Continuing to work on my craft, that’s where it’s at.
If I could jump in a time machine and go back to 1987, I’d tell my childhood self that it’s going to happen. You’re going to make it as a writer. You’ll see “Sarah Fader” on the cover of a book in 2015.