Hey, writer dear,
Today we’re talking about commitment. Because commitment, not talent, makes someone a writer. Commitment is the only way the words will consistently appear and ever accumulate.
I often hear (and have myself asked) some version of “Can I even call myself a writer if I don’t write?” The people who ask this—the ones struggling to show up, to keep trying, to sit down today and tomorrow and the day after that—don’t lack discipline. It’s not about insufficient devotion.
They struggle to commit because they don’t have faith in themselves to write something worth reading. But commitment is the only way they ever will.
Your words deserve you to show up for them. I wish more writers believed that.
It’d be one thing if I saw folks run out of steam because writing apparently isn’t that important to them. Their priorities changed, or they aren’t willing to put in the work. That’s fine.
Except that’s not what I typically see. In most of my workshops and classes, I meet people whose instinct is to write, but they barely do—they don’t think they’re good enough.
If you are, or have been,1 someone who lacks commitment because you lack confidence, please know these things:
You’re not alone.
You can change this. It doesn’t always have to be this way.
In a couple of weeks, you’ll receive our digital care package to help you make/keep a commitment to writing. To yourself. In the meantime, please do me a favor.
Dedicate some time to internalizing that you are a writer. Don’t talk yourself out of this identity that’s meant to be yours. Trust that the reason you want this is because it’s who you are. Who you will continue to be.
Even just embers of this confidence will go a long way. So for the next several days, could you please stoke those?
“I know I’m a writer because __________.”
“I deserve to call myself a writer because __________.”
“Hi, my name is __________. I’m a writer.”
Repeat these—in writing, as affirmations, aloud. We’ll use that momentum to transform your ideas into pages of powerful words. Important words. Your words.
Being a writer means keeping a promise to yourself over and over again. You’re worth that promise—and I’m committed to helping you know that that’s true.
You are creation and curiosity and craft. Thank you for being a writer, and thank you for being a reader of Writer Dear.
~Kerry
🙋♀️