First he explained what confidence is and isn’t: It’s an internal force. It’s about trusting your choices. It’s not about pushing anything on anyone. It’s not about arrogance, exaggeration, or lying.
While it’s intimidating to talk about our work, it helps to know that normal doesn’t exist. We’re all weird in our own special way and that’s interesting.
Likewise we have to believe in what we create. Find the passion for what we do by asking ourselves why we started the project in the first place. Stopping at, “Because I love it,” is a mistake. Dig deeper and find the fundamental truths about your game/story/creation. Then communicate what you are excited about with your work. This will help you stay motivated to finish the project and it will help you with marketing once it’s out there.
There is no way to improve except to try and possibly fail. Dare to be vulnerable.
As you can imagine, the whole room was buzzed by his talk. I certainly felt newly inspired for my own creativity and I hope to hold onto that motivation for a long while.
What motivates you with your creativity? What conferences have you recently attended that gave you a fresh insight and boost to your motivation?
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Photo: Sunset on the first night in Melbourne.
Note: For the next two weeks, starting this weekend, I will be unplugged so you won't see me around the blogsphere, the twitterverse, or the FB...world(?) and I won't be able to answer any emails either. Yikes! I'll share what I've been up to on Monday 24th.
First of all, I want to note that the date of this post is November 5, but it's still November 4 where I am. Holy time travel, Batman! Okay, now that's out of my system... ;)
ReplyDeleteHow inspiring! I'm currently revising a book that has had so many versions, and I've been adjusting it to something more in line with what initially excited me about the idea in the first place.
We (my regional SCBWI) had an agent come to do workshops and page critiques a couple weeks ago. It wasn't an actual conference, but it fueled me. The last conference I went to was in the spring, and it was the SCBWI Western Washington conference--and it was fabulous.
As an Aussie, I'm ahead of my time ;)
DeleteI've done that to an old manuscript and it's so much better for it. I hope your book works out too.
I haven't been to any conferences on writing in particular (or gaming), though I'd like to go eventually, once I'm finally done with grad school. I could definitely use more self-confidence; I think that's why I always envied Samantha on Sex and the City. I didn't envy her dating life but the fact that she could walk into any room with confidence. I wish I could be like that in real life and in my writing.
ReplyDeleteI honestly think half the 'confident' people aren't so confident. They fake it most of the time ;)
DeleteThey are some really interesting points and I think I can use them in my teaching career :)
ReplyDeleteDuncan In Kuantan
Hope it helps, Duncan
DeleteHi Lynda - fascinating that you're into Game Development ... wish I understood the arena - but I can quite believe about the confidence side of things ... and yes we are all weird in our own way! Go for it .. it's something your passionate about ... and that is the starting point .. creativity follows on ... cheers Hilary
ReplyDeletecreativity definitely follows passion.
DeleteWeird in my own special way describes me quite well, I think.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the trusting your choices definition of confidence. If we have doubts over a piece of writing it's much harder to keep going.
Yep, those doubts can be crippling.
DeleteWe are indeed weird in our own special way.
ReplyDeleteI can see the motivation for my latest manuscript. That will help!
It definitely will!
DeleteI like that. "Weird in own special way" it makes it sound cool. I am certainly that, at least I have been literally told that before, LOL.. I enjoyed your post. Game Developer sounds like a cool job too. I know I like playing video games. I'm geeky that way too. Like role play and huge Star Wars fan among other things. Very inspiring and encouraging post.
ReplyDeleteJuneta at Writer's Gambit
Geeks rule! ;)
DeleteI'm glad you found the post inspiring and encouraging.
'It's an internal force.' I agree. What a fascinating and inspiring conference you've attended! Haven't attended one lately. But I do get inspiration from books--particularly, self-help books. It helps me a lot when I'm feeling down.
ReplyDeleteSelf-help books work in a similar way. They get us thinking and light the fires of creativity within us.
DeleteIf we're not passionate about it, no one else will be either.
ReplyDeleteThat passion has a way of shining through.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete"...It's an internal force. It's about trusting your choices..." WOW! I totally needed to hear that. It's so simple, yet so hard to follow. Thank you for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteAlso, you would totally be my youngest child's hero. He wants to develop games himself. Granted, he's only eleven, but he's constantly breaking down games and figuring out new avenues they could travel. :)
Yep, that's definitely a sign of a future game developer!
Delete"There is no way to improve except to try and possibly fail." This is what motivates me. Every time I feel knocked down by defeat or disappointment, I try to get back up and keep trudging forward.
ReplyDeleteSuccess comes from forward movement and getting back up again when we're knocked down.
DeleteGreat post! I love the fact that confidence is about trusting our choices but not pushing those choices, ideas, etc onto other people. Definitely an important point.
ReplyDeleteMadeline @ The Shellshank Redemption
It's a good reminder. No one likes anything pushed onto them.
DeleteWhat? You haven't told us you're opening an indie studio!
ReplyDeleteDid I forget to mention that? Oops. Might be because we haven't settled on a logo yet.
DeleteAwesome. Profound. It's cool about your own Indie game biz!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Shelly. I'm super excited about it.
DeleteI really like that definition of confidence. If I was still teaching I would use that in a lesson.
ReplyDeleteIt's why I just had to share it here on my blog.
DeleteMy motivation comes from reading a great book or watching an enthralling movie. Confidence can and will wane, but keep your heart in the game!
ReplyDeleteThe love of what we do will definitely keep us going if we don't forget that love.
DeleteI love it! It was a few years ago I started really digging into the theme behind a story. Stories with real heart are the kind that draw on a fundamental aspect of our souls. We have to reach deep if we want something compelling that will resonate with other people. =)
ReplyDeleteUnleashing the Dreamworld
It takes more thought and time to take that route, but it's so worth the effort.
DeleteAgreed, and it lasts longer in the player's/reader's mind. Best way to go. =)
DeleteThat is awesome indeed at your feed. My motivation is to get everything out of my head, might happen when I'm dead lol
ReplyDeleteYep, there can be a mighty clamour in our heads if we don't get the ideas out.
DeleteThat's really good advice. The difference between a master and a student is the master has failed more times than the student has tried.
ReplyDeleteOh, I like that master/student truth.
DeleteLove it! We sure are weird in our own special way and we must indeed dare to be vulnerable! :D
ReplyDeleteS.K. Anthony: My Writing Quirks—IWSG (16)
And be proud of our weirdness!
DeleteThank you for sharing this! Sounds like you have an interesting unplugged time coming up. See you later!
ReplyDeleteI haven't been completely unplugged in a long while. I'm looking forward to it.
DeleteThat is some sage advice this guy gave. And no, I had no idea you were getting into the gaming world. So cool! :)
ReplyDeleteIt's a challenge, but it's exciting at the same time. And it's something i've wanted to do for a long while.
DeleteWhat great advice! I gain confidence from other creative people, especially in groups like IWSG, where it becomes clear that we all face similar obstacles, but we all have the potential to overcome them. Sounds like you're on a very exciting path!
ReplyDeleteThe IWSG is such a supportive group, it's hard not to gain confidence through it. And yes, I'm on a super exciting path! Woot!
DeleteGreat post, Lynda. There is something about going to a conference with all the creativity swirling around in the air. You can't help but absorb some of it. My local RWA chapter hosts a small (less than 50) retreat each spring and I always return with such energy. The IWSG certainly adds to my confidence.
ReplyDeleteIf only I could bottle that energy generated at retreats and conferences... ;)
DeleteGreat advice, Lynda, and congrats on your gaming ambitions! (I'd love to get into that sort of thing, too.)
ReplyDeleteSuccess is a gamble: if you risk nothing, you win nothing. You have to put yourself out there and take chances, and you have to fail. It's inevitable. It's the only way to grow. (I actually recently told me step-son the same thing, who said he was afraid to risk new paths in life because he was afraid to fail.)
The fear of failure is a common one. It's one I battle with on a daily basis--along with the fear of success! lol!
DeleteWeird we are indeed and it wouldn't be the same if we weren't. Answering that very question Mr. Ismail mentions not only got me finish my first novel's draft, but also led me to get through the first mark up when all else was falling down around my creative world. I am now on the hunt for those fundamental truths to carve out the best story possible.
ReplyDeleteThat's so awesome to hear. I hope you find those truths with ease.
DeleteI like what he had to say. I do love to write these stories, but knowing why, at least on my novels, would be an interesting exercise. I may not WANT to know why I write the horror stories. ;) Good luck with whatever project is keeping you away!
ReplyDeleteIt's a project of relaxation and distraction... ;)
Delete"We’re all weird in our own special way and that’s interesting." Thanks for this thought :)
ReplyDeleteThose were all good thoughts though.
They were. That's why I had to share them :)
DeleteOooh. That's an interesting question.
ReplyDeleteGood post.
Thanks, Lenni
DeleteI do believe in both normality and weirdness. Also sometimes I love it is enough. I write for various reasons but the love I have for the written word always helps me, especially when around those who don't appreciate it. Still a wonderful talk and you need confidence to help put your work out there. See you Nov. 24.
ReplyDeleteThe love for the written word is essential, in my opinion, to being a creative writer.
DeleteThat's really interesting - to be true to yourself and your creativity, but dig deep to find and concentrate on the part of it that will appeal to others. I hadn't really thought of it that way before. Thanks for sharing and good luck with the 2-week break! :)
ReplyDeleteI hope it helps. It's certainly helped me.
DeleteI don't depend upon confidence too much. I depend upon an almost naive belief that everything will work out in the end if I keep plugging away. Delusional? Probably, but so far it's worked for me.
ReplyDeleteHey, if it works for you, then it works! And I say, don't mess with anything that works!
Delete"Dare to be vulnerable." I should tape that to my computer and bathroom mirror. When I dared, I succeeded. When I chickened out, I felt defeated.
ReplyDeletePlay off the Page
Yeah, I need little reminders everywhere too.
DeleteHave a happy hiatus!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sara!
DeleteWow, this post is exactly what I needed to motivate me. Lately I have been hiding from my manuscript after getting it back from a crit partner. I do love my manuscript, but you are right, I have to dig deeper. I hope you enjoy the time away from social media.
ReplyDeleteYay to motivation! That's awesome to hear.
DeleteHopefully I don't get the shakes from being unplugged for so long ;)
There is only one way to go when you hit bottom, and that's up.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Lynda. Good to meet you on IWSG
I do like that saying.
Delete'normal doesn’t exist'
ReplyDeletebrrrrrrrilliant!
Superior post, Lynzich.
Ha, thanks, Suze. You always have a way of making me smile.
DeleteWe all are weird, but the best thing is that there are a bunch of people out there who share your special kind of crazy. Trusting your own voice is the most important step not only to success, but to happiness. Great post!
ReplyDeleteIt's a huge comfort to know that there are a bunch of people out there who share my special kind of crazy.
DeleteI remember you mentioned a secret project. How interesting that it's indie gaming.
ReplyDeleteConferences fill me with positive energy.
I have yet to attend a conference that hasn't had that positive energy. :)
DeleteDare to be vulnerable. That is the hardest thing. You have to dig deep... bare your soul.
ReplyDeleteBut the best writing (insert relevant form of creativity) stems from this digging-deep process...
Enjoy your 'unplugging' Lyn!
Being vulnerable is difficult, but it does make a difference to the writing.
DeleteHow interesting that you've been working on gaming development. I don't know anything about it.
ReplyDeleteI've always been in the gaming world in some form or other, so it seems like an inevitable step for me.
DeleteI'm pretty sure I'd win an award for being weird. I think I have my act together and then something happens. It's always a shock. Right now I'm in Bucerias, Nayarit a week and my whole schedule, not to mention my hair has gone whacko. I'm waiting for my brain to kick in. Happy Unplugged Next 2 Weeks, Lynda!
ReplyDeleteIt's bad when the hair goes whacko ;)
DeleteHopefully you'll be able to get a handle on that and your schedule soon. :)
I think it's all about triggers. Going to film festivals or reading an awesome book always make me remember why I'm writing and blogging in the first place, because I feel the excitement attached to it. But there's nothing worse than reading a bad book. If I do, I always end up thinking: "Pfff, why should I be writing anyway? There's no point in writing bad books."
ReplyDeleteI think that's why we should surround ourselves with everything positive to encourage us on our creative paths.
Delete"It’s an internal force. It’s about trusting your choices. It’s not about pushing anything on anyone. It’s not about arrogance, exaggeration, or lying."
ReplyDeleteI love how he said this!
Conferences always leave me totally jazzed!! Good luck with your game dev!
I know, right!? I just wish conferences were more affordable so I could go to every single one of them!
DeleteKeep up the good work! come follow me!
ReplyDeleteMy blog: Make It Up or Funny!
Thanks, James
DeleteVery interesting that you have been working on Gaming Development. I agree "There is no way to improve except to try and possibly fail. Dare to be vulnerable." Unless we try we will never know whether we can do it or not.
ReplyDeleteAnd if we don't try, those dreams of ours will wither and die, so I keep trying.
DeleteMy wife is definitely my motivator. If I write something she likes, it spurs me on to keep going.
ReplyDeletegotta love that kind of motivation.
DeleteNow I'm living in UK again, and not Dubai, I should be more able to attend the odd writing conference or two and I'm very excited though nervous about that. I admire how much you do, how you are always challenging yourself. :)
ReplyDeleteshahwharton.com
I hope you do get to attend more conferences. They are so helpful in so many different ways.
DeleteOh, I love this! I can see why you were inspired!
ReplyDeleteIt's so super encouraging.
Delete