Tools for a Writer Who Lacks Confidence

For years, I wrote in spiral-bound notebooks small enough to fit in a coat pocket. The size of the notebook might have spoken to the amount of time I had on a bus going to or from work, but it also stood in for the amount of confidence I had in my writing, which was not so much.

 A few of those spiral-bound pages, much later, found their way into poems I have had published. The vast majority did not. But my writing changed for the better when I started sharing writing from prompts with others and listening to their writing, where I received encouragement to write and improve.

Significant people who have helped me gain confidence in my writing are:

Merrill Farnsworth, a poet and therapist, who lead writing circles in Nashville, Tennessee, one of which I participated in for seven years, prior to her death. In these non-judgmental non-critiquing meetings, I heard how my writing affected others, how theirs affected me, what in essence made it work when it worked.

Dr. Gary McDowell, Ph.D. poet and professor of creative writing at Belmont College, who shared his love and understanding of poetry in numerous classes at the non-profit writing collective in Nashville, The Porch.

Stellasue Lee, Ph.D. poet and teacher of writing, who, when I felt I needed more specific help, worked one-on-one with me on my writing. No one loves poetry more than Stellasue, or if you lack confidence, can better help you find your way in writing.

Writing From Prompts