Autumn is here and that means football season is in full swing. This time of year I always muse about my high school days as a varsity cheerleader. (I could write a YA novel and call it: The Unlikely Cheerleader!)
We had an awesome football team my senior year; our quarterback went on to play for Stanford University, and then the Minnesota Vikings in the NFL. However, we did not go to the state playoffs - we placed second in the league standings. One of the experiences I remember the most happened while we were at an "away game." Listening to the home crowd's thunderous cacophony of cheers made our tiny tribe of traveling fans sound like a bunch of wimpy kids. I learned first hand about standing tall while the opponent's cheerleaders led their crowd:
"We've got spirit, yes we do!
We've got spirit, how 'bout you?!"
When we responded, our weak rebuttal brought on raucous laughing.
(However, we got the last laugh: With two minutes left in the game we scored and beat Olympia High School 7-6.)
As I've proceeded on my storyteller's journey I've discovered it's essential that I be my own cheerleader. I can't expect family, friends, critique partners, or anybody else to prop up my confidence. When they do, I love it; but, day in and day out I must be my own cheerleader. I try to fill my mind with thoughts such as:
Just keep writing!
Don't give up!
This is your passion!
So and so had one million rejections before getting an agent! (HaHa!)
I am usually quite critical when I evaluate my own writing; but really, I should encourage myself at least as much as I do my writer friends.
How do you cheer yourself up when you're feeling intimidated?
