Dear Writing Diary Entry #3

Dark Night of the Writer's Soul

February 25^th, 2024

Dear Writing Diary,

I’ve been having trouble focusing lately. I’m not sure why exactly. I have a new story that I’ve been looking forward to writing about. I’ve even started learning graphic design, which I’ve enjoyed. It’s just that…lately, I’ve been plagued with self-doubt and uncertainty. Not that these are new things. I think it’s safe to say most writers come to know these emotions as intimately as their closest friends, and yet when these feelings have paid their regular visits in the past, my focus has always eventually been able to overpower them.

The problem is now my attention is split into too many directions. One of my manuscripts is being reviewed by my agent, and yet after my first manuscript didn’t sell on submission, I’m struggling to believe this second manuscript has any better chance at being chosen by an editor. And if it isn’t, then what? Should I give self-publishing a try? Could I have the energy to put in all the work it takes to self-publish while at the same time holding down my full-time day job?

And then there’s the matter of self-promotion—an essential aspect of both traditional and self-publishing. Having an online platform, I’ve been told repeatedly, is key, which is why I’ve worked hard to maintain an Instagram and more recently a TikTok account, and yet with every post and diminishing engagement from my followers comes renewed stress. And even worse, the fear that when I do finally publish my first book, perhaps all the people who follow me won’t really care. That perhaps, like my writing itself, all my work in upkeeping these platforms really will have been for nothing.

For all you writers out there, do you have any advice for dealing with self-doubt and necessary distractions? If so, I would love to hear your thoughts.

In the meantime, I will get back to writing. I suppose, after all, that’s the only thing I can do.

Here’s to seeing what tomorrow holds.

-K