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WORK TITLE: The Wrong Kind of Indian
WORK NOTES:
PSEUDONYM(S): Mehta, Jessica Tyner
BIRTHDATE:
WEBSITE: https://jessicatynermehta.com/
CITY: Portland
STATE: OR
COUNTRY:
NATIONALITY:
http://www.tayenlane.com/orygun/ * http://www.oregonlive.com/books/index.ssf/2017/01/sheila_kohler_will_schwalbe_je.html * http://wymacpublishing.com/0.2010/the_wrong_kind_of_indian.html * https://www.forewordreviews.com/reviews/the-wrong-kind-of-indian/ *
RESEARCHER NOTES:
PERSONAL
Born in OR.
EDUCATION:Received master’s degree from University of Portland.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Novelist and poet; registered yoga instructor. Founder, MehtaFor (writing services company), 2012. Writer in residence, Hosking Houses Trust Shakespeare Birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon, England, Paris Lit Up, Paris, France, Women’s International Study Center Acequia Madre House, Santa Fe, NM, and Writer in the Schools residencies, Literary Arts, Portland, OR.
AWARDS:Eric Hoffer Book Award honorable mention, for What Makes an Always; 40 Under 40 Award, National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development; Barbara Deming Award in Poetry; “Top 10 Pick,” Portland Story Theatre; Pulitzer Prize nomination.
WRITINGS
Contributor to periodicals, including Ray’s Road Review. President of board of directors, VoiceCatcher (journal)
SIDELIGHTS
Jessica Tyner Mehta is a Native American (a member of the Cherokee Nation) novelist and poet who writes under her own name and under the pseudonym Jey Tehya, as well as others. “Jessica is the recipient of a 40 Under 40 Award from the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED),” wrote the contributor of a biographical blurb to the author’s eponymous home page, the Jessica Tyner Mehta Website, “received a Barbara Deming Award in Poetry, and was a Top 10 Pick from Portland Story Theatre She has published four collections of poetry (The Last Exotic Petting Zoo: A Book of Poems, What Makes an Always, Orygun: Poems, and Secret-telling Bones, a guide to business writing (100 Ways to Make $100K with Your English Degree) and the novel The Wrong Kind of Indian.
Many of Mehta’s works examine elements from her own life–including her experience as a Native American woman. “Writing is absolutely a powerful tool or weapon, depending on who’s yielding it and how,” Mehta told Mel Sherrer in an interview found on South 85. “As a Native American writer, I’m often faced with others (Native and not) expecting me to be responsible for representing the pan-Indian experience. I choose not to use my writing to focus on improving social/political climates, though there are certainly writers out there doing a fantastic job of it.”
Like Mehta’s poetry, The Wrong Kind of Indian also draws on the author’s life for inspiration. “When I wrote my first novel, The Wrong Kind of Indian, I knew that crafting it to be as good as it could be meant pulling no punches. It required sharing and exposing parts of myself that were embarrassing and shameful,” Mehta told Elen Turner on the Pink Pangea website. “Writing is like giving birth or approaching that person at the bar who makes you stammer. It will probably hurt and you might not get the results you want—but what if you do? That ‘what if?’ is why we write.”
The similarities between the author and her novel’s protagonist begin with sharing a first name. “The book opens with a recounting of Jennifer’s failed marriage,” explained a Publishers Weekly reviewer. While recovering she falls in love with an Indian man named Chirag—but the two separate when Chirag’s family insist on him marrying the woman they have chosen for him. While recovering from her loss, Jennifer begins an affair with a Latin American man and travels to Costa Rica, struggles with an eating disorder, and confronts her past as the daughter of an alcoholic mother. “Though limited by Jennifer’s perspective, the rest of the cast are still strong and complex supporting characters,” stated Meagan Logsdon in Foreword Reviews. “Chirag’s conflicting feelings for Jennifer and his desire to please his family are subtle but detectable. The gradual withdrawal of an old friend from Jennifer’s life is heartbreaking.” “The writing is descriptive and vivid throughout,” said Barbara Cothern in the Portland Book Review. “The reader aches for Jennifer as she tries repeatedly to make herself different so that others will love her.”
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Publishers Weekly, November 28, 2016, review of The Wrong Kind of Indian, p. 55.
ONLINE
Foreword Reviews, https://www.forewordreviews.com/ (November 16, 2016), Meagan Logsdon, review of The Wrong Kind of Indian.
Jessica Tyner Mehta Website, https://jessicatynermehta.com (August 30, 2017), author profile.
Pink Pangea, https://pinkpangea.com/ (March 23, 2016), Elen Turner, “How to Overcome Your Fear of Writing.”
Portland Book Review, http://portlandbookreview.com/ (November 18, 2016), Barbara Cothern, review of The Wrong Kind of Indian.
South 85, http://south85journal.com/ (March 27, 2017), Mel Sherrer, “Word Play: An Interview with Poet and Author Jessica Mehta.”*
ORYGUN
Ms. Tyner's recall is so sensory, her imagination so rooted, her language so up front, and her sensibility so rounded, that she has no need of the merely fanciful. There is no glitz for looks here, no trading on fragility. This book will knock your socks off.
—Marvin Bell, National Book Award Winner for Poetry, Guggenheim Fellowship for Creative Arts, Winner
Jessica Tyner masterfully evokes the gut-punch of human existence, wielding sharply crafted words that bound like a familiar melody threatening to bend out of tune with every revelation.
—Jared Goode, Playwright Orange is the New Musical
ORYGUN
ORYGUN takes you home, marrying confessional poetry, while tapping deep into the reader’s cravings for a full literary experience. This collection of narrative poems touch on how the landscapes that helped raise us also shape us, the intricacies of love with ourselves and others, and shared human struggles of hope and desire, as we teeter on ever-changing, emotional edges.
We invite you to enjoy powerfully evocative and beautifully written poems from Jessica's third book of poetry, ORYGUN.
Why ORYGUN? “It’s Ory-gun, not Ora-gone.” Native Oregonians—or those who have assimilated impressively well—have given this admonishment numerous times. How a person pronounces “Oregon” tells you if they’re a local or not. Jessica Tyner, born and raised in Oregon, grew up seeing the famous ORYGUN bumper stickers. As you meander father north towards Portland, you’ll spot a peppering of “It’s Willamette, dammit!” stickers mixed in with the requisite “Keep Portland Weird” commands. Yes, Oregon is a state thick with cities, streets and rivers with unusual, often Native American-inspired, names and pronunciations from Couch (“Cooch”) to The Dalles (not “Dallas”—that’s another city in Oregon!).
For Oregonians, correct pronunciation of the gorgeously green state is more than a matter of pride. It’s a slight nod to the rich Native American history of the region, and also a bit like a secret password to a very exclusive club.
AUTHOR
Jessica Tyner Mehta is the author of The Last Exotic Petting Zoo and What Makes an Always by Tayen Lane Publishing, and The Wrong Kind of Indian by Wyatt MacKenzie Publishing. An award-winning poet, novelist and writer, her work has appeared in over 50 magazines and journals around the world, including “Ray’s Road Review” which nominated her poem “Speleology” for a Pushcart Prize.
She has been a featured reader at numerous literary events including India’s International Poetry Festival (New Delhi), Wordstock (Portland, Ore.), the International Women’s Writing Guild Summer Conference (Allentown, Penn.), and Berl’s Poetry Bookshop (Brooklyn). Jessica also reads and performs her work as a “poetry whore” with the international Poetry Brothel series, performing in both Portland and Brooklyn. The show brings international poets to the stage to embrace a persona in a 1920s themed event where patrons purchase a poet’s time for private readings. She performs under the stage name “Savage,” a nod to her Native American heritage.
Jessica received a Writers in the Schools (WITS) residency from Literary Arts, a teaching artist fellowship, and was a founding member of the organization’s Writers of Color committee. A confessional poet who relies heavily on honesty, transparency and narrative approaches to writing, her work has been applauded by poets Marvin Bell and Luis Chaves. Jessica counts poets Kim Addonizio and Li-Young Lee as her greatest poetic inspiration.
Jessica Tyner Mehta is a native Oregonian and member of the Cherokee Nation.
ABOUT JESSICA
CV BIBLIOGRAPHY MENTIONS BOOKS CONNECT
Jessica (Tyner) Mehta, born and raised in Oregon and a member of the Cherokee Nation, is the author of the novel The Wrong Kind of Indian by Wyatt-MacKenzie Publishing. She’s also the author of four collections of poetry including Secret-Telling Bones by The Operating System as well as Orygun, What Makes an Always (an Eric Hoffer Book Award honorable mention), and The Last Exotic Petting Zoo by Tayen Lane Publishing. Jessica authored the business book 100 Ways to Make 100k with Your English Degree, which has been featured on numerous podcasts including JenningsWire and World Outsourcing Solutions.
She’s received several writer-in-residency posts around the world, including the Hosking Houses Trust with an appointment at The Shakespeare Birthplace (Stratford-Upon-Avon, UK), Paris Lit Up (Paris, France), the Women’s International Study Center (WISC) Acequia Madre House (Santa Fe, NM), and a Writer in the Schools (WITS) residency at Literary Arts (Portland, OR).
Jessica is the recipient of a 40 Under 40 Award from the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED), received a Barbara Deming Award in Poetry, and was a Top 10 Pick from Portland Story Theatre for “Indian Burns.” She serves as the President of the Board of Directors for VoiceCatcher journal and non-profit, and has led writing workshops around the globe including at the International Women’s Writing Guild summer conference series and the Oregon Writing Festival.
Jessica founded MehtaFor (www.mehtafor.com), a writing services company, in 2012 which serves a variety of clients including Fortune 500 enterprises and major media outlets. MehtaFor received two national bronze awards for Startup of the Year in 2015. Jessica offers complimentary writing services to Native American students and non-profits based in the Pacific Northwest and/or serving Native communities.
She received her master’s degree in writing from Portland State University in 2007, and established The Jessica Tyner Scholarship Fund in 2013. It’s the only scholarship exclusively for Native Americans pursuing an advanced degree in writing or a related field.
Jessica is also a registered yoga instructor (RYT), NASM-certified personal trainer (CPT), and continues to advance her yoga teacher-ship at The Bhaktishop in Portland. She founded the Get it Ohm! karmic yoga and strength movement (www.getitohm.com), which offers free classes to groups that don’t have access to traditional yoga studios and/or don’t feel comfortable in such environments.
Word Play: An Interview with Poet and Author Jessica Mehta
on MAR 27, 17in BLOG, FEATURED BLOG POSTby SOUTH 85 JOURNALwith NO COMMENTS
Mel Sherrer
Jessica Mehta is the author of three collections of poetry and one novel. Mehta is also the founder of MehtaFor: Writing and Editing, and she serves as a poetry reviewer for Contemporary Literary Review India and Foreword Reviews.
S85: What are you working on currently?
JM: My fourth collection of poetry, Secret-telling Bones, releases in September 2017. I’m gearing up for three summer residencies — one with Hosking Houses Trust in Stratford-Upon-Avon, UK, one in Paris, France, and one in Santa Fe, NM — to put the finishing touches on the upcoming book, as well as complete the manuscript for my fifth collection. I’m also continuing to grow my business, MehtaFor, and taking advanced yoga teacher training courses to complement my karma yoga movement, Get it Ohm!
S85: How does a poem start for you, with an idea, an image, catharsis, how does it begin?
JM: Often it begins with a single line. If I can write that line down, I can usually go back to it and let the poem unfold from that line. Oftentimes, this happens in the middle of the night. When I was training for marathons, it would always come to me during long runs (probably because I ran with no technology and had no means of getting words down).
S85: What is the relationship between your speaking voice and your written voice?
JM: I’m much more articulate when I write, although the “voice” is the same as my genuine speaking voice — of course with a lot less “likes” and “uhms.” A recent poem I wrote, “How to Talk to the Dying,” includes the lines, “I looked up ‘What to say / to the dying’ because words / get stuck in my hands.” That’s the most accurate description.
S85: What are you reading? If you were to convince readers to open one book, which would it be?
JM: At the moment it’s The Vegetarian by Han Kang, but I’m not far enough into it to have an opinion. I lived in Seoul for a year, which is what made me pick it up in the first place. Of course, I absolutely adore books like I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (I have two first editions) and almost everything by Toni Morrison, but some recent books I love include Tampa by Alissa Nutting, Towelhead by Alicia Erian, and In the Skin of a Jihadist by Anna Erelle.
S85: What is the worst advice you’ve heard established writers give aspiring writers?
JM: “Write every day.”
I’ve gone weeks and months without writing creative pieces before, and when I try to force myself the outcome is terrible. Granted, I write in some capacity five days per week because writing is how I make a living. There’s a difference between keeping in practice and forcing yourself to write “just because.” Don’t turn something you love into something you dread daily.
S85: Recently, I was chatting with a friend about many troubling aspects of our current society. After a particularly long rant my friend asked, “What are you doing about it?”
My response, “I would argue that writing about it is doing something about it.”
What would you argue writing is doing, or can do to improve a given social, or political climate?
JM: Writing is absolutely a powerful tool or weapon, depending on who’s yielding it and how. There’s a reason the phrase, “Did you get it in writing?” is so common. The written word can hold much more weight than the verbal, providing a permanence and platform for reflective expression. However, personally, I always tell my clients I’ll write just about anything except about finance or politics. As a Native American writer, I’m often faced with others (Native and not) expecting me to be responsible for representing the pan-Indian experience. I choose not to use my writing to focus on improving social/political climates, though there are certainly writers out there doing a fantastic job of it.
About the Author
Jessica Tyner MehtaJessica (Tyner) Mehta (Jey Tehya) is a Cherokee poet and novelist. She’s the author of four collections of poetry including Secret-Telling Bones, Orygun, What Makes an Always, and The Last Exotic Petting Zoo as well as the novel The Wrong Kind of Indian. Jessica is the owner of a multi-award winning writing services business, MehtaFor, and is the founder of the Get it Ohm! karmic yoga movement. Visit Jessica’s author site at www.jessicatynermehta.com.
The Wrong Kind of Indian
Publishers Weekly. 263.48 (Nov. 28, 2016): p55.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2016 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
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The Wrong Kind of Indian
JeyTehya. Wyatt-MacKenzie, $14.99 trade paper (328p) ISBN 978-1-942545-47-7
This lackluster debut is labeled a romance, but romance readers will find it unappetizing. The story is told memoir-style by Jennifer, a mixed-race woman grappling with her heritage. The book opens with a recounting of Jennifer's failed marriage, including a jumbled description of two abortions, the death of her father, and her Cherokee Nation card. When she falls in love with Chirag, a man from India who's expected to have an arranged marriage (hence the rather tortured title), they have a tumultuous relationship: he dates around a lot, while she has a fling with another woman, goes to another country with another man, and struggles with anorexia. Every other chapter is an anecdote, and many of these feel misplaced and occasionally discomfiting. Jennifer's litany of mishaps may prove relatable to some readers, but as a romance, it doesn't satisfy. (Jan.)
The Wrong Kind of Indian
Reviewed by Meagan Logsdon
November 16, 2016
This is a daring and earnest depiction of identity that crosses societal and cultural boundaries.
Jey Tehya’s The Wrong Kind of Indian is a raw rendering of a woman’s struggle to claim her identity in the midst of chaotic and ubiquitous negative voices.
Coming out of a highly dysfunctional childhood, Jennifer enters her thirties with plenty of baggage still dragging behind her. A hypercritical mother and a father with a propensity to disappear for days at a time contribute to Jennifer’s ceaseless battles with relationships and with the demon of weight obsession.
As an unsure half-white, half-Cherokee woman, Jennifer must figure out how she fits into the world around her. Barhopping and clubbing eventually lead to an encounter with Chirag, a handsome Jain Indian whose mystique captivates Jennifer. Their relationship is rocky. Chirag stubbornly refuses to tell his parents in India about her, as Jennifer is “the wrong kind of Indian.” And though Jennifer tries to escape her fixation on Chirag by entering into a serious relationship—and even traveling to Costa Rica—with the kindhearted Fernando, her life’s journey will ultimately lead her to India.
Jennifer’s character is revealed through alternating sections that concentrate on her present, and give space to her past in subchapters. Each subchapter episode is short but poignant, illuminating little by little the full depth and breadth of who she is. Jennifer is her own narrator, so the thoughts and feelings of others are conveyed secondhand or are absent entirely. Her tone and language are at turns honest and self-deprecating, especially when it comes to her body issues. Her bout with an eating disorder is rendered in unsettling, gut-wrenching detail, but her quest to overcome it is a redemptive relief.
Though limited by Jennifer’s perspective, the rest of the cast are still strong and complex supporting characters. Chirag’s conflicting feelings for Jennifer and his desire to please his family are subtle but detectable. The gradual withdrawal of an old friend from Jennifer’s life is heartbreaking, though it may be in Jennifer’s best interests in the long run. And Jennifer’s alcoholic mother has her own corrupt relationship with body image.
The prose is polished without being florid, and especially in Costa Rica and India, teases the senses with beautiful, exotic details. Descriptions can also swing into the profane, as Jennifer wrestles with sexual and psychological issues, including a childhood episode with a dog that strikes disagreeably. However, all her darkness eventually gives way to the light of a fresh future.
The Wrong Kind of Indian is a daring and earnest depiction of an identity that crosses societal and cultural boundaries.
Disclosure: This article is not an endorsement, but a review. The author of this book provided free copies of the book and paid a small fee to have their book reviewed by a professional reviewer. Foreword Reviews and Clarion Reviews make no guarantee that the author will receive a positive review. Foreword Magazine, Inc. is disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
The Wrong Kind of Indian
FICTION
ISBN: 978-1-942545-47-7
324 Pages, 5.25 x 8
$14.95 Paperback
Pub Date: January 2017
“A complex and compelling, though often difficult, story of romance, forgiveness, and loyalty.” — Kirkus Reviews
“A daring and earnest depiction of an identity that crosses societal and cultural boundaries.” — Foreword Reviews
SELLSHEET
COVER
AUTHOR PHOTO inquire
Jey Tehya
Jey Tehya is the pen name for a Pulitzer Prize nominated poet born and raised in Oregon, a member of the Cherokee Nation, who created a scholarship to provide writing and editing services to Native American students and non-profits based in the Pacific Northwest.
Jey received a Writers in the Schools (WITS) residency from the Oregon Literary Arts Council, and her master’s degree from Portland University's Ooligan Press Program.
An extensive traveler, she has lived in England, South Korea and Costa Rica. She’s a certified yoga instructor, avid runner, and collector of first edition books. Jey currently lives in Portland, Oregon.
BOOK CLUB PACKET inquire
“Starve. Sin. Screw: The Wrong Kind of Indian is what you wish Eat, Pray, Love was!”
“A spotlight on romance identifies trends and authors to watch. Many readers are hungry for romances featuring interracial matches. Debut author Jey Tehya’s new novel considers love between a pansexual biracial (white and Cherokee) woman and a Mumbai man who is slated for an arranged marriage in The Wrong Kind of Indian (Wyatt-MacKenzie, Jan. 2017)” —LibraryJournal, 10/20/16
~
“You look something.” It’s what Jennifer has heard her entire life as a “whitewashed” half-Cherokee, half-white girl in a small Oregon town.
The Wrong Kind of Indian is a memoir-style story of what it means to claim your identity after a dysfunctional childhood steeped in sexuality that emerges too early, parents whose actions hovered between neglect and abuse, the cycle of abuse escalating into homelessness as a teen, and the flailing that occurs when you don’t feel like you belong, anywhere.
While the loss of friendships, family, and any remnants of self are endured, this is ultimately a story of hope. Of love.
Crossing the bridge over 30, from 27-34 years old, Jennifer explores what it means to be a Native woman, a writer, and a survivor. Falling in love with a man from Mumbai earmarked for an arranged marriage, she escapes to Costa Rica with another man she barely knows to put distance between herself and the “other Indian.” Running away for the second time in her life ultimately reveals what Jennifer really wants.
Highlighted by glimpses into Jennifer's past, and into the mindset of eating disorders and sexual awakenings, and spanning the Pacific Northwest, Costa Rica and India, The Wrong Kind of Indian is a story of discovery and the realization that maybe nobody is the wrong kind of anything after all.
~
“All I can say is, wow. Tehya can write ... vividly honest and packed with small and brutal emotional punches. I read this slowly, savoring each page ... a skilled and accomplished book. I highly, highly recommend.”
— Cinthia Ritchie, author of Dolls Behaving Badly
The Wrong Kind of Indian by Jay Tehya
by Barbara Cothern on November 18, 2016
Publisher: Wyatt-MacKenzie Publishing
Formats: Paperback
Purchase: Powell’s | Amazon | IndieBound
Jennifer has never felt normal. Half Cherokee, half white, curvy but never skinny, she is somewhat of an anomaly in her native southern Oregon. Raised by parents with their own mental health issues, she learns early on that the only thing she can expect from them is the unexpected. Leaving home as a teenager, Jennifer stumbles through life in her desire to be accepted and loved. The book follows Jennifer on her journey as she tries to please others before – finally – trying to please herself.
The Wrong Kind of Indian, by Jay Tehya, is a compelling, heart-wrenching and hopeful novel about a young woman trying to find love and acceptance and, in general, figure out her life. Written from a first person perspective, the book alternates current and prior events in a way that is thoughtful and enhances the story instead of distracting the reader. The writing is descriptive and vivid throughout. The reader aches for Jennifer as she tries repeatedly to make herself different so that others will love her. It’s painful to see her accept scraps of affection because it’s all she thinks she can get. It’s almost a relief to the reader when Jennifer realizes that she needs to get healthy – both mentally and physically – and takes steps to do so. It’s refreshing that the author doesn’t feel compelled to resolve everything or have Jennifer be completely healthy by the end of the book. A neat, wrapped up ending would have been a disservice to her story and to Jennifer herself. Jennifer is a highly relatable main character – especially for anyone who has ever been made to feel less than or unacceptable as they are. Women especially, will likely relate to Jennifer’s struggles with weight and the magical thinking that life would be perfect if only they were skinny. Overall, The Wrong Kind of Indian is a stunning and heartfelt book that will resonate with readers.
How to Overcome Your Fear of Writing
March 23, 2016
Writing, Writing tips
How to Overcome Your Fear of Writing!
As a writer, I’m guilty of the following. I listen to the advice that says “Just write! Anything! Put words on paper and worry about editing them later.” But then I read over what I’ve written and cringe. I couldn’t possibly share that with anyone, I think. It’s rubbish. Fortunately, there are multiple voices competing for attention in my head at any one time, and I usually choose to listen to the one that says, “First drafts aren’t meant to be good. Edit, edit, edit.”
All writers have hang-ups and insecurities. Sometimes the doubts kick in before words have even been put to paper (or screen), and at others, the fear is of sharing the writing. Having these fears is normal, and nothing to be too concerned about. It’s how we deal with them that will determine how we flourish as writers. I asked several writers how they overcome their fear.
Know that you are an authority on what you write about
“The key to overcoming doubts is to remember that no matter how many eyes see it, my knowledge matters.” — Vannessa Wade
Upgrade your knowledge and skills
“I’m constantly feeling like my writing isn’t good enough. But instead of letting fear eat my brain, I enrol in courses to fix what I think is wrong. I usually do some online courses on Skillshare, or similar.” –Marcela Fae
Listen to the encouragement of family and friends
“I used to write in my native language, and I knew that I was superb at it. When I came to the USA, I was shy to write in English. My daughter asked me one day what I want to accomplish in my life, and I said that I would like to write a book. She asked, “Why aren’t you writing?” I answered that I cannot write in English. She told me that I can write, and that my English is good enough. With her encouragement, I published two books in English.” –Maryam Tabibzadeh
“When I feel nervous about sharing my writing with others, I start close to home. I pick a few people I trust completely, and I’ll send my work to them. From there, I branch out and broaden my reach. Eventually, I feel comfortable enough to let strangers read it.” –Charlene Jimenez
Create structure and set deadlines
“For years, I have had a longing to write my story, but my mind’s negative chatter has consistently gotten in the way. I am not an intellectual, overly complicated writer. My writing style is quite emotional, raw, and basic. At times, I asked myself if I should even bother. But my words flow and I do believe the average reader can connect and enjoy my style. This year, I enrolled in a self-publishing school and committed to writing my first book, which will be out this spring… finally! It’s called Big Bottom Blues…From Childhood Trauma to Triumph.” –Lucie Buissereth
Don’t compare yourself to others
“There are so many well-established writers online that it’s easy to think ‘why would anyone want to hire me?’ Just seeing the current online writing landscape can be incredibly overwhelming. To get over self-doubt, you need to put your blinders on, and submit your writing! Remind yourself that nobody else writes like you do.” –Ashley Migneault
“What works for me is to not compare myself to, or to compete against, another writer. I accept that some have a larger fan base, they make more sales, or their name/brand is now ‘viral’. Good for them! But what’s good for me is simply to write. And to enjoy what I write.” –Miss Mae
Realise that people don’t want to read about perfection
“When I wrote my first novel, The Wrong Kind of Indian, I knew that crafting it to be as good as it could be meant pulling no punches. It required sharing and exposing parts of myself that were embarrassing and shameful. But nobody wants to read about the ‘perfect person.’ We want to commiserate with the flaws of others and empathize with the worst in each another. If your fear of writing stems from wanting to protect yourself, congratulations, you’re human! Writing is like giving birth or approaching that person at the bar who makes you stammer. It will probably hurt and you might not get the results you want—but what if you do? That ‘what if?’ is why we write.” –Jey Mehta
Try journaling
“I have struggled to share my writing, especially as the subject matter is of a delicate nature: infidelity. When I found my husband texting another woman, I knew I had to journal through the pain, the loss of trust, and the eventual reconstruction of our 25 year marriage. I am happy to say that this journaling became a book.” —Stacey Greene
Realise that fear is natural, and can make you a better writer
“I believe a reasonable level of fear in your writing only makes you better, and that pit in your stomach is essential to the craft.” –Nadine Hays Pisani
Recognise that you write because you have something to say
“I was terrified of writing… what if everyone hated my work? Then l asked myself a tough question: am I writing for head-pats and hugs, or am I writing because I have something to say? I decided to hone my craft and write my truth.”– Erica Gerald Mason
Let go of perfectionism
“The doubts I have about my writing not being good enough is really about my need for perfection. I want my work to be 100% ready when it goes out to the public, but that’s not how writing works. Writing can always evolve, and it’s this concept that I struggle to accept. A rule in content marketing is that it’s better that it’s 90% perfect and out on time than 100% perfect and out a week late.”–Kaitlyn Wightman
Write for yourself
“There will always be different styles of writing, different expectations from readers and editors. So instead of trying to please everyone at once, which would make my writing a muddled mess, I just write for myself. If I’m blown away by what I write, chances are someone else will be too.” –Rebecca Lynn Morales
Find a supportive writing group
“I found a wonderful group of knowledgeable folks who believed in ‘giving back’. They encouraged, critiqued, and educated me through the process of first polishing, and then pitching, my book. Like mother hens, they protected me from my self doubt, then pushed me in the right direction. Contact your local library or check the local papers or search online, but find like-minded women (and men) who are willing to share their knowledge.” –Linda Tillis
Consider the negative feedback, too
“I’m grateful to the people in my life who provide positive feedback, but are also not afraid to deliver constructive critiques. Getting negative feedback is never fun, but it is important. I’m learning to listen to feedback and discern what is helpful, and what to ignore.”–Diane Musselman
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