Write Things: On building confidence and trust in your writing

Happy New Year, Writers!

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season and are feeling ready to embrace the creative possibilities of the year ahead.

Lately, I’ve been contemplating something I think many of us grapple with: how we develop confidence in our abilities and trust in our process as writers.

If this resonates with you, read on—I think you’ll find some ideas to inspire you.

Idea: On Development

Ernest Hemingway famously said, “The most essential gift for a good writer is a built-in, shockproof bullshit detector.” While his words are blunt, the meaning is clear: a writer needs to know what works and what doesn’t in their own writing—and in the writing of others. But how do we develop this detector?

It starts with experience. By exposing ourselves to a wide range of writing, we begin to see patterns in what draws us in and what pushes us away. Pay attention to your reactions as you read. What language choices excite you? What keeps you engaged? On the flip side, what makes you put the book down or skim through a paragraph?

Your detector becomes sharper when you engage actively with writing. Join a book club or a writing group where you can discuss your thoughts. Get feedback on your writing and offer it to others—these conversations about what works and why are invaluable. The more you immerse yourself in reading and writing, the better you’ll get at identifying not just what’s “bad,” but what’s truly great.

This process is also how you find your unique and authentic voice as a writer. It’s not about mimicking what the greats do or copying a formula. It’s about discovering what deeply pleases you, what resonates with your sensibilities, and what helps you achieve your objectives for your writing. Your voice becomes distinct when you trust yourself to write in a way that aligns with your tastes and goals. Developing your detector is the key to recognizing and cultivating that voice.

Invitation: “When I love what I wrote”

Set a timer for four minutes and write continuously on the prompt above. This week, lean into the images, feelings, or ideas that feel important. Afterward, decide whether to revise, continue, or leave it as is.

Forward someone this email and ask them to do it too! Then share what you’ve written. Sharing imperfect work is a powerful antidote to the poison that is our inner critics.

Invitation: To Grow

This week, I invite you to be intentional about developing your detector. Pick one action to take:

• Join a book club or writing group where you can share your thoughts and hear others’ perspectives.
• Make a conscious effort to read widely, venturing into genres or authors you don’t normally explore.
• Seek out feedback on your writing or offer it to someone else—it’s an incredible way to clarify your thoughts about what works in a story.

Immerse yourself in the craft of storytelling. The more time you spend purposefully observing and participating in the world of writing, the stronger your detector will become.

Remember, if you feel called to write, someone in the world needs your story. 

Happy creating,

Trevor Martens