The Doubters

Let’s face it people. They’re always going to be there. It’s like the little kid when they’re five saying “Mommy I want to be the president!” or the ten year old who gets cast in his fifth grade play and becomes convinced that he’s going to become the next Hollywood star.

“Awww…. How cute!”

They’re going to be like that until you get a book deal. In fact, they’ll probably be there AFTER you get the book deal simply because of how hard it is to get into the business. In today’s world it’s almost as hard to muscle your way into the writing business as it is to get into the acting business. Not as hard as from the acting to music! *cheesy joke drum roll* You know, like the Disney stars who start singing cause it’d cheaper for Disney to re-contract them then find someone else…

Anyways, my point is that there are going to be doubters. I deal with this problem. Margaret deals with this problem. You deal with the problem or soon will. If you don’t, it’s probably because you’re some closet bunny that knows everyone wants you to be a doctor not a writer.

My Experience

I get really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really mad. And I don’t get really mad very easily. I’m just one of those easy going people that really only wants a computer, books, food, and air conditioning to be happy in life. But when people tell me or make it obvious that they don’t think I have what it takes to make it into the published/writing world I get MAD.

For me it’s a matter of I don’t think they realized how serious I am about it. I can imagine them reacting that way when I was eight and was writing the story mentioned before. Or in third grade when I wrote a story just because my best friend at the time was and it was a COMPLETE rip-off of Harry Potter. But now it makes me very mad that they don’t understand that it’s a serious goal. I am working towards it as we speak. Reading Writer’s Market 2013 (a birthday present from Margaret a few days ago :D THANK YOU!), trying to work on building a platform (which you see the product of here… :)), writing in my free time. I’m passive about a lot of things, but not this.

So, as I’ve said before already, I get mad when people don’t take me seriously.

What I Do/What My Advice About What You Should Do About It

Ignore them.

I would say spit in their faces, but that wouldn't be very nice at all. Nor sanitary. Nor socially acceptable. And It probably wouldn't make them believe you any more that they already were. In fact it might make them believe you less. So don’t spit in their faces.

I usually just ignore them. Or just answer politely. They’ll have to eat they’re words when you do end up making it. You’re probably not going to become the next JK Rowling (Sorry. I probably won’t be either, if that helps.) but you will still be able to shove your autographed copy in their faces which will be well worth it.

The Wrap/Encouragement/Pep Talk

I just want you to know right now that you cannot let them get to you. I will repeat again, DO NOT LET THEM GET TO YOU! If you are really and truly determined to become an author you will become so! Even if your writing sucks, if you really want to write you’ll write and get better. You will go and make the effort of pitching to ever single agent that would ever consider picking up your book.

But if you start to believe the doubters, you won’t. Because it is hard. It’s going to be hard, for you and me. And if you’re not determined with every fiber of your being and scorning the doubters in your head (like I said, no spiting in faces) you’re probably not going to make it.

And you have to make it.

~Amanda Vinshire

P.S. If you have any questions, topics, or doubts yourself please email them in! We'd love to answer them!

vinshire.sisters@gmail.com