According to American novelist, Kurt Vonnegut, “Practicing an art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow, for heaven’s sake.” I agree with him, because I have experienced it personally nearly every time I practice my writing, that soul growing. I also especially love that he uses the words practice and well or badly, which allows any earnest effort, good or bad, an equal share of the extraordinary quality he describes as soul growth. The art that we create need not be miraculous itself in order for our hearts and minds and sense of being to blossom and grow. It is the practice of creating art that matters.
For some of us that practice will eventually lead us closer and closer to creating art that we can be proud of, confident in, willing even, to share with others. That is what I’ve been thinking about today. Am I confident enough to share?
Confidence is a very subjective term when it comes to writers, I have found. Personally, I swing between states of certainty that what I’ve written is… Barely passable, like maybe my mom would like it if she were alive, … to This is absolute garbage. Mom would tell me to burn it, … to Well, maybe it might be interesting to one or two people if they happened to have something in common with the protagonist, … to By golly! I think I got that right. I think it would appeal to a large audience, … to What the heck was I thinking? It’s rubbish! It’s good! It’s drivel! It’s brilliant!
And round and round it goes.
So, what does it take to keep going?
A January 6, 2026 article in Psychology Today offers some insight: “Creative confidence is the engine of creativity. But just as in the story of The Little Engine that Could, the Yes, I can conviction does not have to be a certainty. The Little Engine did not chug over the mountain with cheerful self-assurance. Rather, it kept repeating, “I think I can” and, after succeeding, concluding with, “I thought I could”. Those statements are ones of trust sufficient to start the Engine, get it going, and gain momentum.”
“When we get going, we can build creative confidence by reflecting on our own progress, identifying with others who become role models, getting encouragement along the way, and noticing positive feelings of small successes. Then, the creative confidence we build becomes a resource for the future.” How to Build Creative Confidence | Psychology Today
I identify with the Little Engine every bit as much today as I did when my mom read me the story when I was a little girl.
If you’ve been here before you may remember my mentioning my manuscript and that it was with an editor. This was actually the second complete professional edit for this particular manuscript. The first one I initiated and paid for prior to sending out my last round of queries. I had been querying agents and then small publishers for over two years and hadn’t gotten a solid offer, so I decided the investment was necessary. I enjoyed working with my editor, who addressed both developmental issues and regular copy editing, and the manuscript definitely came out the better for our collaboration. I felt it was ready to get back out there after that, and began submitting it with renewed confidence.
And then I got an offer to publish. I haven’t spoken of it much, partly because I think I doubted it would go further. Something, I expected, would surely go wrong. And it did, in a way, right at the beginning, because the publisher was new and had gotten a poor review which scared me, and also because an editor I spoke to about it warned me. A traditional publisher never asks for payment from the author, she said, and I had read that over and over for years and knew it to be true. Yet the publisher who offered to publish my book did ask for money. They are a new press and although they take care of all of the other costs associated with publishing a book—the printing, cover art, formatting, ISBN, printing, distribution, and marketing (minimal as that is)—they wanted me to pay for another editor (their preferred editor) to go over it before sending me a contract.
Hybrid publishers are different. Their business structure is such that the author and the publisher both invest in the book project. There are wonderful hybrid publishers out there, but I found that I couldn’t afford any of them. Self-publishing was not something I seriously considered. I looked at it, but knowing my poor business skill set, my horror of numbers and marketing and technology—well, let’s just say I knew better than to try. Plus, I would have always wondered if I published it myself: Was it really any good? At least with a reputable hybrid publisher or a traditional publishing house, I would know that someone believed in my work.
But this new publishing house, was it truly a serious traditional business?
I weighed my options, which were nil. I thought about the number of years I’d worked on the manuscript. The number of years I’d spent writing other manuscripts and taking courses and studying creative writing. The cost of my MFA. I thought about my age.
In the end, I signed their contract.
I’m now 200 pages in on my final reading after their editor went through it, and when I finish and send it back in, it will be in their hands entirely.
I don’t know how long the process will take, but if all goes well, I’ll be making an announcement to all of you one day about the manuscript finally metamorphosing into a book. If it doesn’t work out, I’ll make an announcement about that, too. Either way, thank you for reading. Thank you for caring. And keep on creating. Don’t forget that “I think I can,” does sometimes turn into “I thought I could.”
Either way, your soul is growing.
Working with an editor is so rewarding (also sometimes a bit frustrating). I enjoyed working with Ann. She got me but it was a growing process and I needed it.
Best of luck and lots of success to you and all your future projects.
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Thank you so much! Yes, it has been wonderful to work with both editors. Having a professional close read your work and give you concrete help is golden! All good things to you as well!🧡
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Oh, Lori. The practice of creating…followed by the practice of trusting. It is so hard to know if we’re making the right decisions but I believe you’ve got this! I cannot wait to buy a copy, read and savor your work. Here’s to you—for all you’ve accomplished already! 😘 ❤️😘
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Thanks dear Vicki! I am so lucky to have your enthusiasm and wisdom supporting me. I feel so much gratitude! 💞💞💞
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My pleasure…never doubt it! Xo! 😘
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😘
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Love this rousing encouragement of the creative process, Lori! Especially this part “which allows any earnest effort, good or bad, an equal share of the extraordinary quality he describes as soul growth”
Congratulations on your publishing contract. Sounds like you made a good choice. How exciting. I can relate to the rise and fall of creative confidence. Happens to me on a daily basis!! Happy editing!
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Thanks so much, Wynne! I think of you and the life of try often. You inspire me to keep at it! 💞💞💞
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what counts is that you’ve made the decision and are moving towards that figurative mountain peak. there’s nothing more to be said than just building the momentum. whatever happens, at least you’ve accrued one more data point and these points add up to a map. I know it will work favorably for you!
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I love that, Mike! Yes! Making the decision was big and now I can build from there. Thanks so much! 🥰
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Cheering for you, Lori!
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Thank you, Joy! 🥰
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Persistence, passion, inspiration!
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Absolutely! That’s what we need. Thank you, dear Kathy!
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Hi. Good luck with the book. I hope that things work out well with your publisher.
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Thanks so much! I hope things are going well for you!
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Loved this post, very inspiring! Wishing you all the best 🙂
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Thank you so much, Mel!
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I wish you the best, Lori. These decisions are hard, especially when it sometimes feel the best move is to just take a leap of faith and go for it. Anyone telling you what you should or shouldn’t do isn’t in your shoes. Regardless of the outcome, it must feel great to know that your manuscript is stronger because of all the work you’ve put into it. I look forward to reading it someday.
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Thank you, Pete! You’re so right about feeling good about making the manuscript stronger, and about taking a leap of faith. I appreciate your support so much!
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I had have a good experience with my hybrid publishing. About 10 years ago I learned unless you are a national figure, it’s nearly impossible to get published. I applaud your decision.
Writers write because they have to. Words and phrases that beckon from somewhere within scream to be heard. So, however laborious the process, I go through the agonizing stages:
Early draft. It’s not good. I hate it. Edit and write more. Still lacking. Ready to trash it all but somehow, wow, a breakthrough. That’s when the creative juices begin to flow and confidence begin to build.
But I have it easier than you. My writings are a short 3 minute read. I don’t have the talent or the stamina for a novel.
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You are so kind, Gloria! I have a feeling you have the talent for anything you choose to do! You nail the writing urge here: “Writers write because they have to. Words and phrases that beckon from somewhere within scream to be heard.” It’s so true! The quiet pursuit of writing can sound like a scream inside the writer’s head. Thanks, my friend! And write on! ✍️😘
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Writing a novel always takes time-Draft one is supposed to be messy. I am on yr 8 of writing mine. At least getting closer to a finished manuscript. I never took a creative writing course and attempting to write a novel. Cottagecore- that is my novel world (Tale of the Cattail Forest feels like the classic, Wind in the Willows).
Editing draft 8-now putting in the illustration notes of where they are and some final edits. The 5th one still is missing. Finding an illustrator will be challenging- a map and illustrations.
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It’s definitely a long road! Wishing you continued inspiration and success!
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If you want to get a bit of info about my book:
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Thanks!
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Are you happy with the work the publishing house’s editor did on your book? I also had to pay for a publisher’s editor to work on one of my books, but I was able to get a local arts grant to pay for that. That process took a while, though. I hope the rest of the process goes well!
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Hi, Marie! I believe the first editor I hired did an excellent job. This second one through the publisher didn’t mark much or make very many specific comments, but I am okay with that. It’s interesting to hear that one of your publishers also charged you for their editor. I thought mine was the only one. Thanks so much for the input and good wishes!
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Good luck. Writing is a hard path to take, and I wish you all the best.
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Thanks, Diana! You are so right about the path, at least to publishing. There have been years of solitary writing that I think saved me in many ways and helped me through my hardest times—but the whole part about publishing—that’s another story!
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Congratulations on sticking with the process, hiring and= editor and finding a publisher. I have several WIP and I’ve gotten close to getting a publisher. Once a traditional publisher wanted my manuscript and was offering me a contract and then that editor was gone and my book was dropped. You’re inspiring me to get back to work on my projects.
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I’m so happy you’re feeling inspired again, E.A! You are so capable! Those near successes are brutal, aren’t they? I’ll be looking forward to hearing more about your manuscript. 🥰✍️❤️
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Thanks! It is brutal to get so close yet so far away. The one that kills me is I did get an offer for a children’s book about my mom. I turned it down! I didn’t think it was big enough. I was having early success with children’s fiction and was published in Ladybug and had a contract with the LA Times. I had no clue how rare it was to be offered a book contract no matter how small.
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Oh my goodness! I hope you get it out there again. It’s obviously extremely good or you wouldn’t have been given an offer. And the fact that it’s about your mom really makes it special. 💞💞💞
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Thank you. I just wish my mom were alive and I had published her story. She would have been so thrilled. I am submitting it again.
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Sending love your way, and hugs. So sorry.
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Thank you! I feel like that is one of my biggest regrets. Turning down the offer and not presenting Mom the book.
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I can imagine that pain, E.A. and I’m sad for you. I don’t know if this will help, but my belief is that your mom knew how much you loved her. You wrote the story! That’s the beauty there. I know as a mom that I could never be disappointed in my daughter for not accepting an offer she didn’t feel was right—even if it turned out she was wrong. Because the important thing I would hold in my heart was that my daughter loved me and she wrote the story. I believe that. 💞
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Thank you, Lori. She did read my story and loved it. Your words do help! She was a loving, kind person and I believe you are right.
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Bless you dear E.A. 💞
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Thank you!
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I found your journey completely relatable, Lori; the angst, the joy, the ebb and flow of creative confidence. But ultimately, every idea, every step, every paragraph moved you forward. And now you have signed. I would be thrilled!! Absoluely thrilled if that happened to me. Congratulations, Lori. You worked hard for this moment. 💝
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Thank you, Melanie! Wishing you the joy of creative flow and finding the best path for your work. I really appreciate your kind words! 💞✍️💞
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Thank you! 😊😍🧡
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🥰
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We absolutely need to keep trying. This is exciting, Lori! I wish you the best, and hopefully everything works out in the end and the book gets published.
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Thank you, Edward! I appreciate you, my friend! ✍️🧡✍️
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You’re very welcome, my friend.
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Good luck with it all, and thank you for the encouraging post!
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Thank you so much, Emma!!!🥰
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