Believing the lie – “I’m a bad writer”

Friends, can I be honest. Vulnerable even. One of the biggest obstacles I had to overcome when writing my book, was not believing the lie that I’m a bad writer. Even simply writing that sentence “writing my book”, I paused. I hesitated. I’ve shared on here before how passionate I am about encouraging others to chase their dreams, but believe me when I tell you – I know the obstacles that come when chasing those dreams. And today I’m sharing one of mine with you.

When it comes to chasing our dreams, there are definitely some obstacles and fears to overcome. When the opportunity of creating this book came about, I was thrilled! Excitement soared through me with the idea of this long time dream actually coming true. I picked a topic I loved – Tablescapes, because I knew, that even though I didn’t have every tablescape planned out in the beginning, this was a topic that I was comfortable photographing and creating content for.

Honestly, the dream was to be able to photograph my own book. To produce a coffee table style design book, where I did all the photography and styling for. The writing portion of the book I wasn’t so confident in, but I knew most coffee table style books didn’t always have a lot of writing, so I would be safe – or so I thought.

As I began to share my good news and excitement with family and close friends about signing my first book contract, I noticed something happening every time I began to talk about it. When friends would ask what the book was about, I would begin telling them the topic first – Tablescapes. My idea to create different tablescapes throughout the year, so there would be inspiration for every season – Spring, Summer, Fall & Winter. And I would finish my description of the book saying “a coffee table style book with lots of photos”. All of which was true, except I was leaving out one key piece – the writing.

With no journalism degree, or prior experience in professional writing, why would I have any claim to writing a book. I quickly switched my wording from “I’m writing a book” to “I’m making a book”, doubting my own confidence in my writing skills, and just like that I believed the lie that I was a bad writer.

The sneaky part about believing a lie, is that it’s not always something some one says to us in a blanket statement. No, in my case it was subtle. Stemmed from doubt, and fueled by fear, I talked myself out of believing I was a good enough writer to be writing a book, and leaned heavily into making the book, because others were familiar with my photography.

The funny thing is, even my photography is self taught. I didn’t go to school for it, or take any special classes on it. I researched, and read articles, and watched tutorials on how to use my DSLR camera, because I knew what I wanted to see behind the lens of my camera, I just didn’t know how to get make my camera capture it.

My biggest obstacle in starting my own Interior Design business, was I didn’t have a degree, so why would anyone take me seriously and hire me. Something I believed for years, that held me back from when I first started. I shared my story on the blog HERE, in case you haven’t read it. My hope in sharing it, is always that in doing so it would encourage other women to chase their own God-sized dreams.

Every time I would begin to doubt myself during the process of writing my book, I would be reminded of the lyrics from Lauren Daigle’s popular song “You Say”. The song starts off with this ~

” I keep fighting voices in my mind that say I’m not enough ; every single lie that tells me I will never measure up.”

Upon listening to it, instantly the lie I was believing would be brought to light. It could no longer hide, and I am reminded of who I am, and that we ALL have a beautiful story to tell.

This book is part of my story. It doesn’t matter who else has had successful books. Honestly, it doesn’t even matter to me if this book crushes goals (although I’d like it to succeed :)). What matters, is that I remember who God says I am, and the purpose He created me for. My own special giftings and dreams to chase, in hopes that it will bless and encourage other along the way.

With tears streaming down my face, I can happily tell you that I wrote this book. That I filled it with not only pretty pictures, but heartfelt stories that I pray will uplift and encourage each and every person who picks it up. I wanted it to not only be inspiring but equally as encouraging. And I hope that if you are reading this that you believe that you are ENOUGH to conquer great things, and chase BIG dreams.

The book releases NEXT TUESDAY, October 1st, and is available for PRE-ORDER now on Amazon, HERE. AND if you have already pre-ordered a copy, then please, please, please fill out the form below to get your special Pre-Order gift for FREE!

The beautiful floral arrangement was made for one of the Summer Gatherings in the book by my talented friend Christi from Twig & Tulip. It is the tablescape that was chosen to be featured on the cover of the book!

And if you want to hear the entire Lauren Daigle song I referred to in this post – “You Say” – click HERE.