Comments on: Self-Doubt

By: Michael

Michael — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 07:08:00 +0000

Arrghhh. Fucking resistence. I know the taste of this, right now it is taking every ample opportunity to point out why the endeavor upon I’m about to embark is way over my head, and I have nothing like the chops it will take to accomplish it.

I know the truth is that the endeavor is about developing those chops, and at the moment all that is required are the balls to START, and then be willing to endure all those sticking points that will show up to help me make the work authentic and real.

Yeah, I will learn a thing or two. That is the whole idea!

By: Joe Tye

Joe Tye — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 17:45:40 +0000

I read this on a day that I could feel the flames all around me and feel the ground rushing up at me and needed the reminder that sometimes Resistance loves those nightmares during the day. Thanks for the reminder(s!) Steve.

By: Theresa Milstein

Theresa Milstein — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 13:29:13 +0000

For the most part, I’m wracked with self-doubt, so it’s good to know that even established writers go through the same process. And I agree that sometimes there is something behind the self-doubt, so it’s good to try to look at one’s work objectively. There are days when I’m happy with my writing, but there are other days when I don’t know why I bother and want to give up.
Without writing, I wouldn’t be me, so I’ll keep reaching for that coveted contract.

By: Chris Miller

Chris Miller — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 16:22:40 +0000

I have thoroughly enjoyed every one of your books. I love the images you create, not all of them are pleasant, but it feels like I am exploring a new world.

I greatly appreciate that you have doubts and were willing to share them. It makes me feel better when I stare at a blank page, or worse when I’m staring at my words and I don’t like them.

As a side note I actually found your site searching for “One Tribe at a Time”. I am excited that your helping get this information out there and that I found two things I’m thrilled with by searching for one.

By: Judy Code

Judy Code — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 03:41:15 +0000

It’s Tues. 8 Dec. and I’m reading The War of Art for the first time; page 75. Made me want to look at your website and there you are mired in the muck. (It’s almost a week later, and you may be de-mucked at this time but……..THANK YOU. Making the Truth of Resistance so real and opening your personal world to us is a boon. Your rousing challenge to Resistance is tonic to my soul. I’m rooting for you and looking forward to reading your fiction, although this non-fiction is damned transporting and I plan on re-reading it more than once.

Judianna

By: RP9

RP9 — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 18:24:23 +0000

Without resistance there is no conflict.
Without conflict there is no evolution.
Without evolution there is no life.
Without life, the infinite is hollow.

– Bob Newhart’s Left Nut

By: Ken

Ken — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 02:01:09 +0000

You better finish that last 5% so I can read another Pressfield masterpiece!

By: Walt Kania

Walt Kania — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 18:25:51 +0000

Geez, I guess that feeling doesn’t go away, even after you’ve done a shelf-full of solid work.

I wonder how it would feel to actually LIKE what you’re producing. To go gaily along enjoying the tale that’s spinning out from the keyboard. Might be good for productivity. Not so sure about quality. At least all the time. But it’s probably less taxing than wondering if you’re merely spending your days extruding an endess turd.

From hearing Stephen King in “On Writing”, I get the feeling he loves sitting down to work each day, and fairly likes what he’s turned out most of the time. Not to say he doesn’t work hard, but it sounds like he has fun doing it. It’s not a daily root canal.

Hmm.

By: Michelle Pierce

Michelle Pierce — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 16:37:56 +0000

I’m at that point right now with the novel I’m rewriting. Three chapters left, and there’s a voice in the back of my mind that is utterly relentless every time I open the file: “This sucks. What makes you think this is any good? You don’t know what you’re doing!”

The best thing I can do is to keep plugging along. I know that, but it’s still hard. So, thank you for this. Bookmarked!

/On a side note, I love “The War of Art.” Those of you who haven’t read it yet need to pick it up.

By: Christie Craig

Christie Craig — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 16:01:00 +0000

Wow! Love it. It’s something we all need to hear over and over.