Today, I listened to an interview with Kate DiCamillo. The name is almost a household name as she is the author of Because of Winn Dixie (and several other award-winning novels).

I live in Washington State. We have Winco and Safeway and Grocery Outlet… no Winn Dixie. So when I went to visit my kid in Florida, you better believe I read the book (again) and brought it with me for a trip and photo shoot at the grocery store.

I am not new to writing in general, but I am a complete newbie at writing at the level I want to write at. As in… career writing, published author, successful blogger level. Most days I have no idea what I should be doing and I question why I think my writing is good enough for people to want to read.

Listening to Kate’s interview gave me hope. First, she talked about how she still has imposter syndrome, wondering why she thinks people will want what she has to offer. WOW… how encouraging. And a little nerve-racking to know that I will probably always struggle with these feelings of insecurity, no matter how many blog followers I have or New York Time’s Best Sellers with my name on the cover.

Second… Instinct. I thought I was wired weird. But no. I am wired like a writer. I told my husband yesterday that I was writing and a word came to mind for a certain sentence and I realized that I didn’t consciously know what that word meant. I looked it up and it really did fit perfectly into that sentence. Wow again. My brain is its own entity, holding onto information and stories and words to shoot my direction when I need them.

Kate also talked about letting the story unfold through her rather than pushing it. I am working on a project and I am typing whatever comes to mind. Sometimes I am dumbfounded… why would I think of a gummy bear factory? How did I come up with the name Rashanda? I am amazed at what comes out of me when I get out of the way.

Thirdly… Method. She emphasized that every writer will have their own method to create. I get that. But when you are brand new, you wonder if you’re doing it ‘right’ or wasting time. She retypes her manuscripts up to four times. I DO TOO!! I feel validated. And actually a little bit smarter. If Kate DiCamillo does it this way, and I do too… I may be on to something.

Fourthly… is that a word? I’m going with it. Rejection. It’s part of the game. Writers should consider it a success, a learning opportunity, and as Kate put it… gasoline on the fire that pushes her forward.

I can do this. I want to do this. Thanks for the inspiration Kate. It’s GO TIME.