Write Well Day 20: How to manage self-doubt

Self-doubt is part of being a writer. It lurks in the corner when you’re drafting, sneaks in while you’re revising, and grows louder as you think about sharing your work with the world. But here’s a secret I’ve learned: self-doubt isn’t the enemy. It’s a sign that you care deeply about your work, and that’s a good thing.

When I was writing Four Minutes, I constantly questioned myself. Was I tackling themes like invisibility and marginalisation in a way that felt authentic? Would readers connect with the fragmented structure of the story? On the hardest days, I reminded myself that self-doubt wasn’t a reason to stop; it was a reason to keep going.

Photo by Artem Kovalev on Unsplash

Here are five ways I learned to turn self-doubt into a tool for growth.