Demonstrate Your Writing Insecurities

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Writers are human beings. As such, we are fraught with insecurities just like anyone else. Imagine that. We’re human. While no one could fault us for having our fears and insecurities, it’s best that some of them we try to avoid broadcasting to editors and agents.

I’m not saying that we should be dishonest or try and be someone who we are not. I’m saying that discretion is warranted and it’s always best to cast a critical eye on anything we might send to an editor or prospective agent.

Here’s a good example:

You have your manuscript. You’ve cried over the thing. Heck you bled on it a few times. It is your baby, your life. Perhaps years of your heart wrenching soul is contained within. Therefore you don’t want anyone stealing it, right? To help ensure that does not happen you pull out your trump card. After all, you’re savvy. You know your rights. You’re going to slap the © symbol all over the thing. Big ol’ 20 point, bolded font. Right there on the manuscript cover page and for good measure at the bottom of each subsequent page. That oughta tell folks that you know how this game is played.

Unfortunately, what it is really telling folks is that you have no idea how the game is played. In fact, the other players at your table are now rounding up their winnings and seeking other tables.

We can be very possessive about our work and we would hate for someone to steal it. We are insecure about the security of our words. No one could really blame us for it. It’s okay to feel this way but the last thing you want to do when approaching an editor or an agent is to give them the impression that you think they may try and thieve your work. It’s akin to getting a hug from a friend then checking your coat pocket to see if your wallet is still there.

A majority – and I mean a vast majority – of editors fully understand the love you have for your baby. Believe it or not, most of them were writers before they got kicked up the food chain. While there may be some horror stories out there, the truth is that in most instances, thieving your work is the furthest thing from any editor’s or agent’s mind.

So relax.

Consider any negative vibes or insecure thoughts that may be coming through your query letters or other correspondence. Have a trusted friend read your queries before you send them on. When you sit down to write any correspondence, get yourself in a positive, friendly state of mind. Don’t think about all the bad things that could happen, think instead about all of the good things that will happen.

It’s okay to have insecurities about your writing. It’s not so okay to pass them on to others in the industry that may have the ability to affect your future.