This year, I’ve been working a lot with new and emerging writers: running workshops, offering 1-1 mentoring sessions and giving feedback on samples of work.
One thing that has come up again and again from writers is that they’re looking for help to build confidence in themselves and their work.
While I completely understand the struggle writers have with uncertainty and rejection, and how those with higher levels of confidence are likely to weather those knocks more easily as they continue towards their goals, helping someone build their confidence is not an easy thing, especially in these short, often one-off interactions.
I’ve been writing for many years and confidence has always been an issue for me. As a writer from Middlesbrough who often struggles to find a home for their work, I think it’s something I’ll always need to work on.
But here are a few suggestions for things that have helped me.
Don’t rely on external validation
It’s easier said than done, but the most important thing for building a secure foundation is to avoid relying on praise from others, or measuring your value against successes. Of course, this can be challenging in the publishing world, which is heavily influenced by gatekeepers like agents and editors who have the power to make – or break – our dreams.
Sure, it feels great to have a story accepted for publication, or to win a competition, or get a great review, but for pretty much every writer, there will be long stretches of rejection and if you rely on external validation, you risk destroying the confidence you built when things were good.
After my first book was published, I had some successes, then a long stretch of rejections that lasted for three years. That was not a good time for my mental health! But by trying to separate writing and publishing rather than relying on acceptances as a barometer for the quality of my work, I started finding a way forward.
Find alternative places for feedback (and praise)
During my long stretch of rejection, I started looking for other ways to feel successful in my writing.
One thing that really worked for me was attending open mic nights. Going along to listen to other writers and share my own work helped me find an audience, and find reassurance that my work was good enough.
Chatting to other writers and audience members and hearing their thoughts on my writing made me see that it had value, even if that piece had failed to find a publisher.
Focus on craft and creativity
New writers are often caught up in the enjoyment of their creative practice. But once you start thinking about readers, that’s when doubts can creep in.
If your goal is to get published, at some point you’ll get a rejection. Once you do get published, you’ll get a bad review. These things can hurt. They can make you doubt the worked you poured yourself into. To avoid this, go back to your work; focus on your craft, on practice, on learning and experimenting. It will make you a better (and stronger) writer.
Publishing can bring real highs, but it will always bring lows too. That’s why it’s so important to separate writing and creativity from publishing. If you can enjoy your time with the blank page and focus on having fun, exploring your imagination, developing a voice, you can always find joy in your work.
Find a community
And finally, remember you’re not alone! Almost every writer goes through the same challenges and issues. We all worry about being good enough, about finding a publisher for our work, or finding readers. Talking to other writers about these feelings and understanding just how common they are can be a revelation.
Find people who write and talk to each other: share your fears and doubts, and build each other up. You’ll be better – and more confident – for it.
Amy Lord is a novelist and short story writer from Middlesbrough. She is the author of The Disappeared, and was a finalist in the Mslexia Short Story Competition and the Dinesh Allirajah Prize for Short Fiction. During autumn 2025, she’ll be running a series of online writing workshops, exploring folklore, ghost stories and more. Details here: https://www.amylordauthor.com/events
Barnard Castle Writing Group 