Ever since deciding to become a self-designed writing major, I’ve dealt with skepticism on occasion from friends, family members, and acquaintances. Aren’t you afraid you won’t be successful? You can’t beat J.K. Rowling, that’s impossible! What’s your backup plan? That’s reassuring.
In the past, I’ve politely been able to deal with such statements with a smile, and an explanation of how I am interested in journalism, publishing, or maybe even being an author some day. (Gasp! The horror!)
I have no doubts; I’m happy to be following my passion for writing. I hope everyone can follow his or her passion. I don’t want to follow my backup plan. I did not, however, expect this same skepticism to come from my own college. But, when I received a letter stating that my proposal for my self-designed Creative Non-Fiction Writing major had been rejected, this is precisely what happened.
Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love, talks about doubts that others have about writers in her TED Talk “Your elusive creative genius.” She describes how when she told people she wanted to be a writer, she was met with the same skepticism. She further explains how after writing Eat, Pray, Love, which later was turned into a movie, she was met with even more doubt from others about her ability to write additional successful works in the future. She asks an important question in her talk:
“What is it specifically about creative ventures, that seems to make us really nervous about each other’s mental health, in a way that other careers kinda don’t do?”
The question is part joke, part truth. She makes the valid point that we tend to only cast doubt on creative careers, rather than careers based in mathematical or scientific fields, like chemical engineers. And yet, everyone has the potential to be successful or to fail. So why do we believe that all writers, or other creative individuals, are doomed to fail?
Meg Cabot, who wrote The Princess Diaries, which later became one of my favorite childhood films, gives advice to aspiring writers on her website. 
Some of it isn’t all that encouraging. She writes:
“Don’t tell people you want to be a writer. Everyone will try to talk you out of choosing a job with so little security, so it is better just to keep it to yourself, and prove them all wrong later.”
The saddest part is, I know this to be true.
But back to my self-designed Creative Non-Fiction Writing major: at first I was shocked to find out that my proposal had been rejected, and began to have some doubts about my own future. I know writing is what I want to study, but to have my proposal rejected definitely wounded my own self-confidence. After meeting with my adviser, however, I quickly regained this confidence. I know what my passions are, and I know that I will follow them. Sometimes obstacles can show up, like a rejection to an initial proposal. But these can be overcome; I will resubmit an improved proposal, with some changes and additions. So, what have I learned? Never give up on the things you believe in most. I know myself better than anyone else, so why doubt myself just because others do? I am proud to be a writer.
