Writing Update: Doubt

By Madeline Oliver

Tilgi is released now but before this book was published, I had a total melt down. 

This was several weeks before Tilgi’s release day. In fact, I was still working through critique from beta readers. One day, my mom came to ask me if I was going to drive to wherever we were going and she asked me what was wrong as a tear slipped down my cheek. 

As we talked it out, I explained and realized that I was tired and doubting if anyone was going to enjoy Tilgi or if it would mess up my author career. I was also questioning my ability to keep up my website. 

Thankfully, God has given me a supportive, understanding, encouraging, and wise mother. She reminded me that she wouldn’t have allowed my story to reach the beta reading stage if it wasn’t a good story. She would have helped me work out all the issues beforehand. She told me that my story is good and that one of my friends, whom I had asked to beta read, devoured it. So, there was at least one person out there who loved my story. 

Then we went over the pros and cons to my book possibly flunking and everyone hating it. 

There were three times more pros than cons. 

I made a bit of a blog schedule so I could keep up with my website and also complete schoolwork. 

Whenever you begin doubting yourself, find someone encouraging in your life who knows you well so they can get you back on track. 

Trust me. God has huge plans for you. By doubting yourself, you’re doubting your ability to fulfill the task He has purposefully and strategically assigned to you. Don’t worry. He knows what He’s doing. 

He knew that I needed to publish Tilgi when I did. I doubted and worried and procrastinated but I published that story. If you’d like to read Tilgi, you can find the book here. I hope you enjoy the adventure this YA science fiction pulls you into.