Tag: Confidence

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Devotions for Writers

Confidence in Your Call

devotions

In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.

Luke 1:26-27 NIV

I’ve often wondered at the disparity between Mary’s response to the angel, Gabriel, and Zechariah’s (husband of Mary’s relative, Elizabeth). Both were approached by Gabriel, both seemingly gave the same answer, yet they experienced vastly different results. Let’s take a closer look.

Mary was troubled. (Luke 1:26-38)

  • The angel said, “Do not be afraid. Give Him the name Jesus.”
  • Mary said, “How will this be?”
  • Gabriel confirmed it by announcing Elizabeth’s pregnancy (which was also a miracle).
  • Mary said, “I am willing.”

Zechariah was gripped with fear. (Luke 1:5-25)

  • The angel said, “Do not be afraid. Name him John. Give him no wine or fermented drink.”
  • Zechariah said, “How can I be sure of this?”
  • Gabriel said, “You didn’t believe and so will be silent.”

Same angel. Two distinct outcomes.

Have you ever noticed a lack of faith in your calling also steals your words? You stare at the blank page and doubt every positive feedback you ever received. However, when you have confidence in your call, the words flow onto the page. Maybe the discrepancy between Mary and Zechariah wasn’t in the words they used, but in their attitude:

Mary believed. Luke 1:45

Zechariah doubted. Luke 1:20

How can you take stock in your call to write?

Exercise:

  1. Remember Who is doing the calling. If it’s a whim, it will fall by the wayside. If it’s the Lord, it won’t leave you alone.
  2. Remember why you were called. Do you have a burden for a special group of people? Do you have life experiences and passion that affirm it?
  3. Remember the nudge. Did a passage of scripture, a poem or an article confirm it? Write it down. Keep it handy for reference.

Look back at the stories of Mary and Zechariah. They both are noted for prophesying, but the metamorphosis surrounds when it happened. For Mary, it was before The Babe was born, and for Zechariah, it was after. Let’s choose to step out in faith that the Lord will deliver on His promise and birth a new work in our lives. Find your confidence in the One who calls you.

Will you believe or will you doubt?

Over 140 of Sally Ferguson’s devotionals have been published in Pathways to God (Warner Press). She’s also written for Light From The Word, Chautauqua Mirror, Just Between Us, Adult Span Curriculum, Thriving Family, Upgrade with Dawn and ezinearticles.com. Prose Contest Winner at 2017 Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference.

Sally loves organizing retreats and seeing relationships blossom in time away from the daily routine. Her ebook, How to Plan a Women’s Retreat is available on Amazon.

Sally Ferguson lives in the beautiful countryside of Jamestown, NY with her husband and her dad.

Visit Sally’s blog at www.sallyferguson.net

Categories
Devotions for Writers

Oversize Armor

devotions

“Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV)

The Israelites were trembling in their sandals. Goliath terrorized them by day and haunted their dreams at night. A teenage shepherd told the king he would fight the giant, with God’s help, and, lo and behold, the king agreed. King Saul brought out his personal arsenal for battle, but he stood a head taller than other people (1 Samuel 10:23), and the armor was too big for David. For the full account, read 1 Samuel 17.

How would the narrative have been different, had David done things Saul’s way?

How are our stories constrained by doing things like everyone else?

Just like God equipped a shepherd boy to fight a giant, and one day become king, He has equipped each of us with the tools to write His story.

Exercise:

  • Don’t compare yourself to others. Do look at what God is doing in your life. (Galatians 6:4-5) Make a list of places you have placed articles and celebrate your accomplishments!
  • What has God called you to do, that only you can do (Ephesians 2:10)? Write it down.
  • What specific gifts are in your wheelhouse? 1 Corinthians 12:4-6
  • Is your armor the wrong size? (1 Samuel 17:38-39) What are you trying to imitate instead of adding your personal spin?
  • So many of us suffer with “self issues.” Either we’re too big for our britches or we think the pants are too big for us to fill. (Exodus 4:13)
  • Are you trying to keep up appearances or are you working to obey God’s prompts? (“To obey is better than sacrifice.” 1 Samuel 15:22)
  • How’s your faith? Write out 2 Corinthians 9:8. Do you believe the Lord can do this?
  • Write out Ephesians 3:20-21. What about God makes us think He can’t accomplish what He’s asked us to do?
  • Believe in your calling and persevere. Galatians 6:9-10
  • What do you need to ask God for, today? (James 1:5)

God had the prophet anoint David to be the next king, not because he was a perfect leader, but David was chosen for his heart for God. Is the Lord looking for someone like you?

What gave David confidence? He didn’t place faith in himself, but in God (1 Samuel 17:36-37). So, trust God’s calling and character, and lean in to the job He’s given you. The battle is the Lord’s! (1 Samuel 17:47)

Over 140 of Sally Ferguson’s devotionals have been published in Pathways to God (Warner Press). She’s also written for Light From The Word, Chautauqua Mirror, Just Between Us, Adult Span Curriculum, Thriving Family, Upgrade with Dawn and ezinearticles.com. Prose Contest Winner at 2017 Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference.

Sally loves organizing retreats and seeing relationships blossom in time away from the daily routine. Her ebook, How to Plan a Women’s Retreat is available on Amazon.

Sally Ferguson lives in the beautiful countryside of Jamestown, NY with her husband and her dad.

Visit Sally’s blog at www.sallyferguson.net

Categories
The Intentional Writer

Are You “Almost” an Author?

The intentional writer

Do you identify yourself as an author? A writer?

If not, it’s time to start.

You are a writer if…

Do you write poems? Blog posts? Funny anecdotes for the church newsletter?  

Do you journal on a regular basis?

Do you assemble words into sentences and paragraphs for no other reason than because you enjoy doing it?

Do you have ideas and truths you attempt to communicate to others through some written medium?

If you answered yes to any of those questions then you are a writer. A writer is someone who writes. Simple as that.

“A professional writer is an amateur who didn’t quit.”

Richard Bach

You are an author if…

Have you written a book, article, or report? If so, then according to the dictionary you are an author.

Don’t believe me? Then consider this.

I was talking about Almost an Author with a faculty member at a writing conference. With a smile, she asked me if I considered myself only almost an author. Then she made an interesting comment about how we use the word author.

She said that published author is a commonly used term but no one ever says unpublished author. This implies that the word author does not necessarily mean a person has been published.

In other words, if you have completed a piece of writing, you are an author. Not almost an author. Not an aspiring author. Not an author imposter.

A real, honest-to-goodness author.

Do you feel like an imposter?

I know how you feel. I struggled for years with the idea that I wasn’t good enough or successful enough to call myself a writer. But one day a wiser and more experienced writer challenged me to have the courage to begin calling myself a writer.

So I did.

And you know what? Not one person accused me of being an imposter. (I did get a few odd looks, but that’s to be expected.)

More recently I went through the same struggle over calling myself an author. I have completed multiple novel manuscripts. I have been published in magazines. I have seen my scripts performed on the stage. And yet I was loathe to call myself an author.

No more!

Three steps to claiming the title of writer (or author)

  1. Internal. The first step is to begin thinking of yourself as a writer (or author). Claiming the title in your own head boosts your confidence and helps you take writing seriously. Until you are willing to think of yourself as a writer you will remain a dabbler—someone who has an excuse to quit at any time. Writers are intentional about writing. Writers mean business.
  2. Among friends. The second step is to call yourself a writer (or author) among your fellow writers. Claiming the title in public can be scary, so start with those who will understand and support you. Other writers understand what it means to call yourself a writer. They understand how long and difficult it is to get published. They will not ridicule you for calling yourself a writer. (If they do, it’s time to find different writer friends.)  
  3. In public. The final step is introducing yourself as a writer (or author) in public. Claiming the title of writer produces instant accountability. It implies you are actively writing. (So long as you are, you can claim the title with pride.) When you get to this step, be prepared to answer questions such as, “What do you write?” and “when will your novel be published?” You may also face skepticism or ridicule. Do not let this stop you from owning the title.

Are you ready to quit being almost an author? I hope so.

What was your biggest hurdle in referring to yourself as a writer? Let me know in the comments.

Award-winning writer Lisa E. Betz believes that everyone has a unique story to tell the world. She loves inspiring fellow writers to be more intentional about developing their craft and courageous in sharing their words. Lisa shares her words through speaking, leading Bible studies, writing historical mysteries, and blogging about living intentionally.

You can find her on Facebook  LisaEBetzWriter Twitter @LisaEBetz and Pinterest Lisa E Betz Intentional Living.

Categories
Write for His Glory

Validation

We all long for validation. One definition of “validate” from Merriam Webster is “to recognize, establish, or illustrate the worthiness or legitimacy of.” We read that definition and we question, doubt flooding our minds. We fear we don’t measure up.  WE know what we think, and who we are deep down inside.

With all our mess, failure, and weakness, do we matter? Are we valuable? Do we belong?

Only God can answer those questions, and He does so through His Word. When we look for validation anywhere else, we open the door to confusion and a full-on barrage of negative attitudes and feelings.

How does it start? As writers, we’re submitting our work to those who have the authority to accept or reject it. We often take it personally when our best work is rejected.

But it’s not personal, any more than a teacher grading a paper is personal. It’s about the work.

But it hurts. Especially when you did your best and it wasn’t good enough.

Yes, it hurts – a very necessary hurt that causes us to step back and evaluate, and to make changes where needed. How else will we learn and improve if everything we say, do, or submit is accepted with no questions or feedback – aka, with no rejection?

When we experience rejection and long for validation in its wake, what do we do? Where do we look for the truth? How do we move past it? How do we overcome our feelings of inadequacy?

Do we go to the phone, or to the Throne?
Do we wallow in the mire, or look to Someone higher?
Do we give up and turn back, or get up and improve what we lack?
Do we make excuses, or muster up our creative juices?
Do we take offense, or look at the scene through God’s lense?
Do we focus on the feeling of dread, or look to where we can be fed?

The only One who can validate us at our core, where it matters, is Jesus. Isn’t it a waste of precious time to look anywhere else or expect validation from anyone else…including ourselves?

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. (Ephesians 1:3-6)

When we work and submit from a place of truth and security in God’s love for us, we have the strength to endure rejection and get back up as many times as it takes to do all He’s called us to do.

What are you waiting for? Time to get that next submission ready!

Mary Graziano Scro, a graduate of Christian Communicators Conference, is an inspirational author, speaker, and blogger who intuitively weaves analogies and personal testimony with practical biblical teaching. Whether “live” or at the keyboard, Mary loves sharing what God has done in her life to encourage others about the awesome life God has planned for us, IF we are willing to choose wisely in our everyday lives (John 8:31-32). And it’s not only about us – the more we invest in our own unique relationship with Jesus, the more visible He is to a world that desperately needs Him.

You can reach Mary on:

Facebook: Mary Graziano Scro

Twitter: @marygscro

LinkedIn: Mary Graziano Scro

Blogs: Life Is Not A Formula

 

Categories
Write for His Glory

Once Upon a Time

Once upon a time, God created the heavens and earth. And God saw that it was good.

Then He created animals and plants for the earth, and saw that they were good.

THEN He created a Man from the dust of the ground and breathed Life into him, and the man became a living being. God created the Man in His own image. Then because no suitable helper was found for the Man, God created a Woman from a rib of the Man – also in His own image.

And God saw that they were VERY good.

Since the beginning of time, God has been creating life. His creative powers know no boundaries. Out of nothing, God makes beauty, purpose, and goodness.

Do you ever drive down the road and marvel at the seemingly infinite variety of trees, grasses, and flowers?

Do you ever marvel at how, with basically the same anatomy (four legs, body, head, tail), so many distinct animals exist that you can name…let alone the ones you can’t name?

And people, wow! We all have the same features – eyes, nose, mouth, ears, body, arms, legs – yet we are uniquely recognizable among thousands of people.

Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out;

    you formed me in my mother’s womb.

I thank you, High God—you’re breathtaking!

    Body and soul, I am marvelously made!

    I worship in adoration—what a creation!

You know me inside and out,

    you know every bone in my body;

You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit,

    how I was sculpted from nothing into something.

Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth;

    all the stages of my life were spread out before you,

The days of my life all prepared

    before I’d even lived one day.

(Psalm 139:13-16, The Message)

Once upon a time, God created people – people who would be His people, and He would be their God. He loves His creation, all of it, especially the human beings He created in His own image, to reflect His glory. Oh, and the best part: when we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell inside us.

Do you know what that means?

We have direct access to the creative power of the Creator of the Universe! Through us, God can create life-giving words, crafted into stories and songs and all kinds of media that will be read, listened to, and watched by whoever He determines needs those words exactly the way we write them. Our purpose is to create as the Holy Spirit leads, out of the passion God puts in our hearts.

Once upon a time, God created you. Don’t ever doubt that He created you exactly as “you”, intentionally and on purpose. Accept and love yourself, thankful for who He made you, and receive all He pours into you. Then pour out in your own way as only you can do, for His glory.

BIO

Mary Graziano Scro, a graduate of Christian Communicators Conference, is an inspirational author, speaker, and blogger who intuitively weaves analogies and personal testimony with practical biblical teaching. Whether “live” or at the keyboard, Mary loves sharing what God has done in her life to encourage others about the awesome life God has planned for us, IF we are willing to choose wisely in our everyday lives (John 8:31-32). And it’s not about us – the more we invest in our own unique relationship with Jesus, the more visible He is to a world that desperately needs Him. You can reach Mary on:

Facebook: Mary Graziano Scro https://www.facebook.com/don.mary.scro

Twitter: @marygscro

LinkedIn: Mary Graziano Scro  https://www.linkedin.com/pub/mary-scro/11/600/a4b

Blogs: Life Is Not A Formula at www.marygscro.com

 

Categories
Guest post archive

Wearing Confidence: A Writer’s Wardrobe Must-Haves: Kathryn Ross

 

Got challenges? Don’t we all. Life is filled with obstacles on the pathway to realizing our goals and purposes. How do you conquer them?

Well, for a quick fix, I look for something in my power wardrobe. When I wear clothes that fit well and look great on me, I feel empowered and confident. Power clothes shield me from people seeing me in my unvarnished weakness. Like, the crippling insecurity that often comes from . . . well . . . for instance—heading to a writer’s conference to mingle with peer professionals.

I spend a lot of time preparing for writers’ conferences. They keep me focused on my writing goals, providing a deadline for completing projects. I look forward to networking with other writers. Mentoring and being mentored. Growing in my skill sets. Crossing thresholds of new publishing opportunities that might present for me.

All this anticipation fuels my writing fires—until about two weeks before the conference. Then, though I may have my files, proposals, and conference plan in order, a mountain range of doubt looms before me. These obstacles in my path lead me to question everything I’ve just spent weeks preparing.

“Who do you think you are, a REAL writer or something?”

“You always confuse your tenses and use too many commas— what a joke.”

“You have nothing original to say because it’s already been said.”

“You can’t run with the big dogs at writers’ conferences—you need to stay on the porch.”   
Confidence shrinks back. Uncertainty rises-up. A mole-hill becomes a mountain of fear and doubt. That’s where the power wardrobe comes in. I put my confidence game face on. A mask, in fact. I set my face, like flint, to power through the stones, rocks, and boulders that cause me to stumble in weakness on my way. No one will know I shake in my boots behind my mask of confidence, facing the challenges before me. I look sensational in this outfit with a nifty floral pattern!

My computer and files are packed. My power wardrobe is carefully chosen to fit, masking my inner turmoil. But, all is vanity because . . .

My mask is removed at the end of the day.
Sometimes it falls off in the heat of the fray.
That’s not such a bad thing; it leads me to pray,
And Jesus responds, “There’s a better way.”

When I seek to walk in my purpose and calling as a writer, I struggle with confidence going forth. No amount of sensational looking power clothes will overcome the root of my insecurities. The mistake I make is wearing a wardrobe like a mask to just get by.

Masking your confident-to-the-calling shortcomings will not do. There’s nothing wrong with selecting a great looking wardrobe for a writers’ conference. We should present our best selves in outward appearance. Yes—do look sensational.

It’s not about externals. You’ll go all the way to genuine confidence, rather than the mere façade of it, if you give quality attention to packing your internal wardrobe—the closet of your heart. That’s where true confidence roots, producing fruitful and fragrant blossoms that attract and influence. No nifty floral patterns are necessary.

Clothing yourself in the head-to-toe skin-sufficiency of Christ is the bedrock power of true confidence to the task, whatever that is. Be it writers’ conferences or just waking up in the morning, put Christ on in the spirit, before worrying what clothes you’re going to pull out of the closet.

And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. Galatians 3:27 NLT

And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJV

As a writer, no matter the challenges before you, God calls you to take each one in His wisdom and strength. The crossing of thresholds involve risk—like arriving at a writers’ conference and passing through the doors to the registration desk. Or sitting across the table from the editor or agent you hope to impress. Slip into the skin-sufficiency of Christ when crossing the thresholds of your life and divine calling. The point where risk meets Confidence.

Prayer Journal: Thank you, Lord, that my calling in You is sufficient to the task and the compass to my purpose. You have promised to complete the work You have begun in me. I shall go forth in joy. You will lead me in peace. The mountains and hills of obstacles will break forth before me and be turned to praise by Your hand. I will shout with joy as I know you are cheering me on to accomplish all You have called me to do.  Philippians 1:6, Isaiah 55:12

[bctt tweet=” The point where risk meets #confidence #JesusChrist @misskathypwp” username=””]

[bctt tweet=”Wearing #confidence: A #Writers Wardrobe Must-Have @misskathypwp” username=””]

I learned a great deal about walking in Christ’s confidence, boldly taking on challenging risks over the past six years of my independent publishing journey. I power-packed many of those spiritual and life lessons in my latest book, The Gatekeeper’s Key: Crossing Thresholds through Portals of Potential

Want to know more? Check out The Gatekeeper’s Key in the Pageant Wagon Bookshop. www.pageantwagonpublishing.com ~ by Kathryn Ross

 

 

Writer-speaker, Kathryn Ross, ignites a love of literature and learning through Pageant Wagon Productions and Publishing. She writes homeschool enrichment and Christian living books for home, church, and school. Her passion is to equip women and families in developing a Family Literacy Lifestyle, producing readers and thinkers who can engage the world from a biblical worldview. She blogs and podcasts at PageantWagonPublishing.com.

Categories
Blogging Basics

Three Problems With Comparison for New Bloggers

Particularly for new writers beginning the blogging journey, comparison can kill confidence and create problems.

New bloggers often struggle with comparison, much like my youngest child who said, “I’m a slow runner. I don’t want to play soccer.” When I asked her why she thought she was a slow runner, she mentioned how much faster her older brother and sister ran. She struggled with confidence, not realizing she was unfairly comparing herself to her older siblings. She couldn’t see this was not a realistic comparison. Bloggers often struggle with comparison creating problems with confidence and negative thinking.

Comparison Creates Competition

Resist the scarcity lie that the success of others crowds out your own opportunity.

Comparison can cause significant set-backs when it comes to writing. All too easily, it can create competition when we allow the success of another to diminish our writing or sabotage our confidence. Choose to celebrate the achievements of others. Learn from their skill and experience.

New bloggers, blogging, writing, comparison, problems of comparison

Comparison Breeds Negative Thinking

Comparison opens the door to the problem of negative thinking. Comparative thinking leads to other forms of negativity—pride, envy, jealousy, resentment, discouragement, and criticism.  What can begin as comparison and negative feelings can quickly ignite destructive thoughts and actions.

For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. James 3:16

Comparison Demotivates Passion

Comparison can stifle passion to fulfill the writing desires God places in our hearts.

Have you ever compared yourself with a more experienced writer and thought, “Why bother…I’ll never be as good as ________.” The power to demotivate passion is one of the greatest problems of comparison.

Resist the temptation to measure the gap between where you are and where someone else is. We often see this gap as a diminishing, devaluing thing rather than embracing the growth process of our own writing.

Problems of comparison, blogging, writing, new bloggers

I have hung over the edge of motivation, wanting to quit because the journey to “success” is steep and difficult. Maybe you have too. Comparison saps passion and energy when we forget that God is with us in the process.

[bctt tweet=”Distracting us from God’s call and purpose, comparison makes the process about personal success rather than obedience to God’s call to write.”]

Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life. Galatians 6:4-5 MSG

Choose to celebrate and learn from successful and experience writers, rather than give into comparison. Give yourself permission to grow through the process and develop skill at the pace that is right for you. 

Don’t let comparison rob you of confidence and joy in writing. [bctt tweet=”Comparison is a choice you don’t have to make. “]

At the end of it all, comparison asks the wrong question.

The right question is this: what does God want to do through my writing?

Categories
Blogging Basics

Three Ways Comparison Can Kill Your Blogging Confidence

Blogging requires a balanced combination of vision, passion, craft, and energy. Comparison can quickly squelch your energy and derail your passion for writing. Whether you are new to blogging or a seasoned pro, comparison can kill your blogging confidence.

One of the great temptations for writers and bloggers involves the trap of comparison. We constantly see the success of other writers through social media, conferences, and networks. Traffic stats and social media engagement are inescapable even when you try to ignore them. Comparison can creep into your thoughts in many different forms.

For me, one of the greatest challenges in blogging has been learning craft and building a following without falling into the pit of comparison. When I read a great post and see high stats of likes and shares, I often compare my writing and engagement. I can leave the website feeling discouraged rather than benefitting from the great content I’ve just read. When this happens, my thoughts are about me rather than appreciating the gifts and skills of the other person.

Have you struggled with the problem of comparison in your writing?

Three Ways Comparison can kill your blogging confidence:

Comparison Drowns Creativity

Creativity thrives on being different and original. When we compare our content to other writers, it can be easy to try to emulate what works for someone else.

The blogging world is enamored with How-to content and numbered lists. Most of this is aimed at increasing reach, but it can also kill creativity. One look at Pinterest demonstrates this point. Most pins of blog posts now use successful formulas for titles. Success is great, but now too many blog posts look and sound the same. I’ve followed the formulas and written much of this kind of content. This post is a numbered list because it was a clear way to communicate my message.

The artist in me rebels as creativity bows to comparison and the desire to be as successful as others. The key here is balance. Don’t disdain formats that work, but be creative and personable with in the template. Also, write a variety of content that doesn’t adhere to formulaic structure.

[bctt tweet=”Is copying the new creativity?”]

Comparison Fuels Discouragement

Comparison fuels discouragement much like throwing gasoline on a fire. It can ignite quickly and be very destructive.

Recently I was thrilled to have a post featured on the popular devotional site, (in)courage. Like it or not, the social media stats are prominently displayed. You can’t not look at them.

My joy deflated as I realized the stats were not anywhere close to the regular bloggers on the site. It was hard not to receive that as a message that my writing wasn’t as good as others. For a short time, I let comparison steal the delight of success in posting on an well-known website. Rather than growing in confidence, I struggled with discouragement because my post didn’t draw the same amount of engagement as others.

Believe me, comparison is a nasty friend.

Comparison Feeds Pride

Comparison is also a fickle friend. When we are on the short end of comparison, we can wallow in “Not Good Enough” thinking. However, if we rate our work or performance higher than others, we can teeter into the “Better Than” territory of pride. Pride can create divisions and puff up egos, as well as spark criticism. Pride can kill confidence from the other direction, prideful thinking is just as destructive to confidence in that it warps a realistic perception of ourselves.

This verse from the message motivates me to avoid comparison:

That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original. Galatians 5:26 MSG

Particularly for new writers beginning the blogging journey, comparison can kill confidence. Choose to celebrate and learn from successful and experience writers, rather than give into comparison. Give yourself permission to grow through the process and develop skill at the pace that is right for you.