The Secret
When you start something new, it’s easy to feel like an idiot. You may stumble and flail, and show your ignorance. It’s true that many veterans may condescend to new people learning the endeavor. If you’re lucky, you’ll find caring, supportive experts who remember what it was like to be new themselves and help guide you. But the inherent fear of judgment remains.
Writing is no different, made even worse by the fact that there is no one right way. How do you figure it out? Who do you listen to? How do you learn?
By diving in with a different perspective. Instead of thinking about how little you know, consider that every step you take is leading you to unveil a secret. Your secret. How you write. Your process may be hidden from you, but that’s what your learning curve is all about. It’s about gathering tips and tools that others have used then try them to excavate your own secret. With this mindset, you step away from the “I-don’t-know-what-I’m-doing” anxiety and into the “I’m-curious-to-find-my-own-answers” attitude.
It sets you on a path of exploration. I’m going to see what others do and then find out if it’s right for me is a lot different than Am I doing this right or am I making a fool of myself?
Unearthing your own secrets of how to write can be hard, but this mindset allows you to go into something new with a confidence that you’re finding your way and your way is valid.