Your thoughts on self doubt & voice are so intriguing…as one of those women who proclaims that her voice matters, I think it’s interesting to think about because, as much as I say that and believe it, sometimes it can be difficult to break the barriers we place on ourselves. I think there can be gaps between the internal and external knowing, the inner belief that your voice has value and the external showing of your voice through poetry, writing, etc. Self doubt still is very real, for myself at least. I think that the two areas can live side by side, despite us all wanting and working to remove the doubt.
YES! I think they can live alongside each other. The belief in our individual voices-- the worth of our unique stories and poems-- and the persistent doubt. Thanks for sharing your experience ❤️
I also want to say to you, Diana, that what yiu have written about self-doubt as an author resonated with me. While I was writing my memoir (a very personal and unflinchingly honest story) I seemed to vasilate between "yeah, this is good" and "who is going to want to read this drivel?". It was quite a ride. I thought it was because I was new, although I had a feeling that other authors experience this. Your sharing of your own doubts has been validating. I have so much respect for your work, by the way, back to when you wrote about being in the baby cave in the Reformer. I loved that column!
thank you so much Ann ❤️ That is my hope when I share my personal experiences struggling with doubt and depression, that it will resonate with other people.
Your thoughts on self doubt & voice are so intriguing…as one of those women who proclaims that her voice matters, I think it’s interesting to think about because, as much as I say that and believe it, sometimes it can be difficult to break the barriers we place on ourselves. I think there can be gaps between the internal and external knowing, the inner belief that your voice has value and the external showing of your voice through poetry, writing, etc. Self doubt still is very real, for myself at least. I think that the two areas can live side by side, despite us all wanting and working to remove the doubt.
YES! I think they can live alongside each other. The belief in our individual voices-- the worth of our unique stories and poems-- and the persistent doubt. Thanks for sharing your experience ❤️
I also want to say to you, Diana, that what yiu have written about self-doubt as an author resonated with me. While I was writing my memoir (a very personal and unflinchingly honest story) I seemed to vasilate between "yeah, this is good" and "who is going to want to read this drivel?". It was quite a ride. I thought it was because I was new, although I had a feeling that other authors experience this. Your sharing of your own doubts has been validating. I have so much respect for your work, by the way, back to when you wrote about being in the baby cave in the Reformer. I loved that column!
thank you so much Ann ❤️ That is my hope when I share my personal experiences struggling with doubt and depression, that it will resonate with other people.
Love this, D
thanks for reading! ❤️🙏
More personal musings and writing prompts please!
Dare I invite you to also check out my substack site? annmccloskey.substack.com
thank you, I definitely will!