Friday, July 9, 2010

Writing without self doubt?


[DL Hammons is an author about to start quering, and today's post inspired me to write this.]

“I don’t need help”, my son told me last week. “I can do this on my own.”
Wisely, I let him. He got a 6/10.

“I don’t want to go to school tomorrow”, he told me this week. He didn’t want to do badly in his test.
“Come I’ll help you”, I said. He let me, and I taught him to break down words phonetically. He maxed the test.

Nobody is born knowing everything. Given basic talent, the one more likely to succeed is the one who listens. Second Grade student, or author about to query, self doubt is good.


_____
A drabble is a story told in exactly 100 words.




Speaking of authors seeking publication, "Heart of the Darkness" by Lisa A. Koosis is one of two novels competing in the finals of Dorchester Publishing’s Fresh Blood contest- the grand prize is a publishing contract with Dorchester's Leisure Horror imprint. Horror is not a genre I am comfortable with, but her entry is spectacular.
Don't take my word for it- click across to Fresh Blood read the two entries, and decide for yourself.
Alternately, take my word and send a blank email to freshblood@chizinepub.com with Fresh Blood Vote - Heart of the City in the subject line. Only one entry per e-mail address. Multiple e-mail addresses permitted.

17 comments:

Cruella Collett said...

You are a great mother, Natasha! I absolutely love your pedagogic ways with your boys. I am positive they will grow up to appreciate that, not just because it will have guided them through their education, but also because they will be better people than they otherwise would have been :)

Anonymous said...

Rayna - What a lovely reminder that we all need each other. That's so important to remember: we need each other and if we just reach out, we can help each other and get help from each other. I love it! And your son is lucky to have such a wonderful mother.

Anonymous said...

Self-doubt is good to a degree - as long as it doesn't erode our sense of self and self-confidence.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Successful people always have help along the way. I'm sure DL will appreciate your drabble.

RHYTHM AND RHYME said...

Your son will grow to be a self confident person because you are a great mother. loved the post,

Yvonne,

Dr. Mohamed said...

Your son's a lucky young man. G_d bless you for being an engaged parent.

dipali said...

So true! I did soemthing with my son when he didn't want me to help him any more- if his grades slipped over a month of self-study, it would be back to mom. He did fairly well, just to remain independent:)

Lisa K. said...

I agree, Rayna. I think it's that self-doubt that keeps us listening and always trying to learn more. It's a good lesson.

And thank you so much for the mention of my novel and the contest! Your support and encouragement through this have meant a lot to me. :-)

Ann said...

We all need help throughout our lives. Though we sometimes don't have the sense your son had to accept or ask for it!

Your son is a lucky young man to have a mother's guidance help and encouragement.

LTM said...

good stuff--and I love the connections you drew. It reminded me of my spiders~ ;o)

Jemi Fraser said...

We all need a little help or a little boost now and again - helps to build that confidence! :)

Patricia Stoltey said...

That is such a good photo of your son. I sometimes concentrate and focus just like that, but I don't look nearly that adorable.

Unknown said...

Wonderful post. I'm sorry I haven't been commenting lately. I've been super busy but I'm trying to catch up. I'm sorry you were going through a hard time a few days ago. I hope you found the comfort you needed and I will go check out your post on your other site.

CD

Tina said...

Isn't it grand when we find a way in that speaks to our kids? Good job, Mom.

Ella said...

Well put and so true, no matter what our age, new experience lead us to new begins, knowledge and the unknown! You are a great Mom~xXx

Natasha said...

@ Cruella - thank you. That is a wonderful thing to say, because that is what I keep hoping would happen.

@ Margot - that is the case, isn't it? Nobody has all the answers, but together, we can manage almost everything

@ Fiona - that too is a point. A very big point.

@ Alex - they do, don't they? Just a vote of confidence or a pat on the back, if nothing else.

@ Yvonne - that is my dearest wish- I do hope so. Thank you

@ Mohamed - thank you. And I do hope so.

@ dipali - maybe I should attempt the same too.

@ Lisa- you deserve it my dear.

@ Ann- it is strange. People are always willing to help, but we are reluctant to ask for it.

@ LTM - I loved your spider post.

@ Jemi - we do need that leg up, don't we?

@ Patricia - but you are not a six year old, are you? Bet he will not look anywhere as cute in a couple of years.

@ Clarissa - you take care, and come back when you are ready. Isn't that what friends are for?

@ Tina- wish we could connect with them so easily all the time.

@ Ellie - and if we are scared of the unknown, we are not living a full life.

Musings said...

Hmm! Self doubt is good? I don't think Self doubt is ever good. I think self awareness is good.

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