Why Writing Confidence Matters More Than You Think
Most students do not struggle with writing because they are lazy or untalented. They struggle because they have been told—directly or indirectly—that they are not “good writers.” But writing is not a gift you are born with. Writing is a skill that is developed through guidance, encouragement, and practice. As writing coach Donald Murray once said, “Writing is thinking. It is the process of making meaning out of experience.” Studies also show that students who receive regular writing feedback improve their skills significantly more than those who do not, reinforcing that writing is a learnable and teachable process.
This pillar post shares real stories of students who overcame fear, self-doubt, and frustration—and discovered their voices through writing. Whether you are a parent, educator, or student yourself, these lessons offer hope and practical tips to build academic writing confidence that lasts.
The Myth of the “Natural Writer”
We often assume great writers are born with some magical ability to produce perfect prose. But even the most famous authors struggled:
J.K. Rowling was rejected by 12 publishers.
Stephen King threw his first draft of Carrie in the trash.
Ernest Hemingway rewrote the ending of A Farewell to Arms 39 times.
Maya Angelou locked herself in hotel rooms to write without distraction.
These authors did not wait for inspiration—they practiced, revised, and pushed through fear.
Students cannot build confidence in a place where they feel judged or dismissed. Tutoring is not about red pens and rigid rules—good tutoring is about building trust, celebrating effort, and helping students feel seen.
Take Jaydon, for example. Years of negative tutoring experiences left him convinced he was a bad writer. During our first session, he barely spoke. But once we connected over music, things began to shift. Writing became personal, and his confidence grew.
Through journaling, collaborative feedback, and writing about his interests, Jaydon began to enjoy the writing process. He eventually earned a 4 on his AP Lang exam and rediscovered his love for reading.
Students often freeze because they are afraid to get it wrong. They believe if writing not perfect, it is not worth writing.
But as every writer knows, the first draft is supposed to be messy.
Great tutors help students:
Embrace “bad” writing as part of the process.
Focus on getting ideas out before editing.
Learn that writing is a journey—not a test.
One of the most powerful lessons students learn is that writing is a tool for self-expression, reflection, and discovery.
Small Steps, Big Growth: The Power of Process
Confidence grows with repetition, feedback, and reflection. One of my students, Mia, struggled with writing introductions. She practiced writing just the first paragraph of different essays for a week, focusing on hook strategies and thesis clarity. By the end of the week, she had not only improved her skills but also felt proud of her progress—she even volunteered to read one aloud in class for the first time. This does not require flashy tricks—just consistent practice.
For example, I often use:
Daily freewriting: To build fluency without pressure.
Grammar in context: Correcting errors in students’ own writing.
Revising one element at a time: Focusing on structure before style.
Goal-setting: Helping students see progress and celebrate it.
Jaydon’s daily writing became a habit that not only improved his essays—but helped him process emotions and reduce anxiety.
Helping Students Find Purpose in Their Writing
Let’s face it—students are more engaged when writing feels relevant. Lana, a brilliant but disillusioned student, struggled with school because she saw it as meaningless. Through our sessions, we talked, we reflected, and we wrote. I asked her real questions, not just academic ones:
“What do YOU think about this topic?”
“Why do you think this assignment matters?”
“What would YOU do differently?”
Eventually, Lana connected personally with her coursework—especially after a powerful experience at Spelman College Museum of Fine Art. Visiting the art museum inspired her to apply for a competitive summer internship at the college.
Her writing became more reflective, her thinking deeper, and her attitude toward school completely shifted. As she put it during one session, "It finally feels like I'm writing about something that matters." That one sentence captured the heart of her transformation—writing had gone from a chore to a way of connecting with herself and the world around her.