There’s been a bit of a theme in my life I hadn’t really thought about until now. I’ve actually mentioned this in a few interviews, here on the First Time Podcast and here on Words and Nerds. And this is the theme of backing yourself.

When I was a younger man, I wanted to get into the film industry. It was the first creative enterprise I’d ever really focussed on. I wrote scripts in my spare time, and I devoured films. And I put my hand up to work on any film set that would have me. But none wanted to.

Until I was asked to come in for an interview to be a gaffer on a short film, starring an Australian comedian whose name escapes me. But it was a big deal. I interviewed really well, and they told me they’d be keen to have me. They were going to give me a call with more details.

A week passed, and no call. I figured they had other priorities, so I wasn’t fussed. Another week. I sat by the phone. Soon enough the shooting date for the film was approaching and I still hadn’t heard. I didn’t know what to think. I thought about calling. I thought a lot about it.

But I didn’t.

And this, I feel, this rejection and disappointment, this whatever-the-opposite-of-seizing-an-opportunity-is, burned me right down in my guts. I learned a valuable lesson I’ve taken everywhere with me.

You gotta back yourself.

There’ll be enough people telling you how you should spend your time. They’ll tell you to give up your daydreaming. They won’t understand what you’re doing. There’ll be so many of these people; you really don’t need to add to their number.

I write this because I often see writers on twitter talking themselves down, or being self-effacing. I get it. But you gotta back yourself. Fight for opportunities. Put your hand up again and again. Keep knocking on that door until somebody lets you in. Then knock on another one.

If you don’t back yourself, you’ll regret it.

[image error]One of the first times I saw one of my books in a book store. A lot of self-belief went into this, you best believe.