(What is a koan? See Resources for Writers below.)

6. Know that the writing life is a process. Its not all going to happen at once. Keep a long term vision and short term goals to stay connected to your writing life.

7. Get support. A buddy, a workshop, a coach can all help you to see how much you’ve accomplished when you feel adrift.

8. You may want a visual representation of your trust bank. Get a jar or attractive container and fill it with your accomplishments. Every time you give to your writing life, add a marble or pebble or any object you find appealing – even coins

When I work with new writers, the biggest obstacle looming over their success is a giant cloud of mistrust. They may not trust themselves because they tried to write in the past and it didn’t work. They may have taken a class and then never followed through. They may have received harsh feedback from a teacher. A seed of talent or interest is still there, but needs to be cultivated. Gathering trust is the key.

Writers of all levels need to build trust in themselves. We often trust the gremlin, or that voice that tells us that we can’t write, more than we trust the urge that nudges us to write. I guide people to begin building a trust bank to draw from when the fears threaten to overwhelm. Invest in your trust bank with the following deposits:

Trust the impulse to write. If you have the inclination to put words to paper, go with it. Abandon the need to know where you are going with your writing. Build trust in the mystery of the creative process. Learn to ‘wing it’ and to enjoy playing with the unknown. Keep track of your progress and your successes. At the end of the writing week, take note of the time and effort you have put into your writing. By tracking your progress, you let your muse or creative self know that you are reliable and will continue to show up for the writing. Your progress report could look like this:

This week I:

wrote twice for 15 minutes and loved it!

got clear on my writing goals for the rest of the year

identified two classes I could take next year

scheduled time to write next week

made an appointment with my writing buddy

4. Assess your progress so far. Add up the years or months you have devoted to your writing. Every tiny or giant step counts in the trust bank! Count the classes you have taken, the publications you have achieved, the money you have been paid, the compliments you have been paid, the love and energy that you have spent on your writing. Give yourself a pat on the back for any efforts you have invested over the course of your writing life. This will help you see the bigger picture of your commitment.

5. Make a place for the gremlin or inner critic that stops you from writing. This can be an imaginary place or a real place. Send them to the corner, the office supply store, the park to run laps around themselves. Give it a Zen koan to sort through. (What is a koan? See Resources for Writers below.)

6. Know that the writing life is a process. Its not all going to happen at once. Keep a long term vision and short term goals to stay connected to your writing life.

7. Get support. A buddy, a workshop, a coach can all help you to see how much you’ve accomplished when you feel adrift.

8. You may want a visual representation of your trust bank. Get a jar or attractive container and fill it with your accomplishments. Every time you give to your writing life, add a marble or pebble or any object you find appealing – even coins

o write. I guide people to begin building a trust bank to draw from when the fears threaten to overwhelm. Invest in your trust bank with the following deposits:

Trust the impulse to write. If you have the inclination to put words to paper, go with it. Abandon the need to know where you are going with your writing. Build trust in the mystery of the creative process. Learn to ‘wing it’ and to enjoy playing with the unknown. Keep track of your progress and your successes. At the end of the writing week, take note of the time and effort you have put into your writing. By tracking your progress, you let your muse or creative self know that you are reliable and will continue to show up for the writing. Your progress report could look like this:

This week I:

wrote twice for 15 minutes and loved it!

got clear on my writing goals for the rest of the year

identified two classes I could take next year

scheduled time to write next week

made an appointment with my writing buddy

4. Assess your progress so far. Add up the years or months you have devoted to your writing. Every tiny or giant step counts in the trust bank! Count the classes you have taken, the publications you have achieved, the money you have been paid, the compliments you have been paid, the love and energy that you have spent on your writing. Give yourself a pat on the back for any efforts you have invested over the course of your writing life. This will help you see the bigger picture of your commitment.

5. Make a place for the gremlin or inner critic that stops you from writing. This can be an imaginary place or a real place. Send them to the corner, the office supply store, the park to run laps around themselves. Give it a Zen koan to sort through. (What is a koan? See Resources for Writers below.)

6. Know that the writing life is a process. Its not all going to happen at once. Keep a long term vision and short term goals to stay connected to your writing life.

7. Get support. A buddy, a workshop, a coach can all help you to see how much you’ve accomplished when you feel adrift.

8. You may want a visual representation of your trust bank. Get a jar or attractive container and fill it with your accomplishments. Every time you give to your writing life, add a marble or pebble or any object you find appealing – even coins

progress, you let your muse or creative self know that you are reliable and will continue to show up for the writing. Your progress report could look like this:

This week I:

wrote twice for 15 minutes and loved it!

got clear on my writing goals for the rest of the year

identified two classes I could take next year

scheduled time to write next week

made an appointment with my writing buddy

4. Assess your progress so far. Add up the years or months you have devoted to your writing. Every tiny or giant step counts in the trust bank! Count the classes you have taken, the publications you have achieved, the money you have been paid, the compliments you have been paid, the love and energy that you have spent on your writing. Give yourself a pat on the back for any efforts you have invested over the course of your writing life. This will help you see the bigger picture of your commitment.

5. Make a place for the gremlin or inner critic that stops you from writing. This can be an imaginary place or a real place. Send them to the corner, the office supply store, the park to run laps around themselves. Give it a Zen koan to sort through. (What is a koan? See Resources for Writers below.)

6. Know that the writing life is a process. Its not all going to happen at once. Keep a long term vision and short term goals to stay connected to your writing life.

7. Get support. A buddy, a workshop, a coach can all help you to see how much you’ve accomplished when you feel adrift.

8. You may want a visual representation of your trust bank. Get a jar or attractive container and fill it with your accomplishments. Every time you give to your writing life, add a marble or pebble or any object you find appealing – even coins

you have taken, the publications you have achieved, the money you have been paid, the compliments you have been paid, the love and energy that you have spent on your writing. Give yourself a pat on the back for any efforts you have invested over the course of your writing life. This will help you see the bigger picture of your commitment.

5. Make a place for the gremlin or inner critic that stops you from writing. This can be an imaginary place or a real place. Send them to the corner, the office supply store, the park to run laps around themselves. Give it a Zen koan to sort through. (What is a koan? See Resources for Writers below.)

6. Know that the writing life is a process. Its not all going to happen at once. Keep a long term vision and short term goals to stay connected to your writing life.

7. Get support. A buddy, a workshop, a coach can all help you to see how much you’ve accomplished when you feel adrift.

8. You may want a visual representation of your trust bank. Get a jar or attractive container and fill it with your accomplishments. Every time you give to your writing life, add a marble or pebble or any object you find appealing – even coins

(What is a koan? See Resources for Writers below.)

6. Know that the writing life is a process. Its not all going to happen at once. Keep a long term vision and short term goals to stay connected to your writing life.

7. Get support. A buddy, a workshop, a coach can all help you to see how much you’ve accomplished when you feel adrift.

8. You may want a visual representation of your trust bank. Get a jar or attractive container and fill it with your accomplishments. Every time you give to your writing life, add a marble or pebble or any object you find appealing – even coins that will accumulate so you can buy a treat for yourself!

Use these methods to build trust. Make this a conscious part of your writing life and watch your confidence and writing soar as your trust bank account builds!