How to Correct Double Negatives
by Kay Gibson
English grammar books teach
us to avoid using double negatives. In other words, don’t use two negatives in
one sentence. As writers, we can have double negatives not only in our writing
but also in our writing lives.
The Biggest Negative
What can be the biggest
negative in your life? You! How many times do you say, "I’m a failure. I’m
not a writer. What ever made me think I could be a writer?" Lack of
confidence is a negative. You can’t accomplish our goals with negative
thinking. Tell yourself, "I AM a writer," and then write. Don’t let
rejections depress you. Poke those manuscripts back in the mail.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble,
whatever is right, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is
excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.
Philippians 4: 8
(NIV)
The Bible says to think
positive thoughts. Writing is admirable and praiseworthy. Think of yourself in
this way. Have faith in your writing ability and think great thoughts. Think
about being a writer until you become one.
I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.
Philippians
Either get on your knees
and pray or get on your butt and write.
The first negative can be
you. The second (or double) negative, sadly, can be your spouse, your best
friend, or a parent. They may tell you, "You’re wasting your time writing.
You’ll never be published. Quit dreaming, and do something practical."
This negative attitude will damage your writing life.
Then the officers shall add, "Is any man afraid or
faint hearted? Let him go home so that his brothers will not become
disheartened, too."
Deuteronomy 20:8
(NIV)
The Bible warns about
hanging around negative people.
For they refreshed my spirit and yours also. Such men
deserve recognition.
1 Corinthians
Associate with positive people.
Join a writer’s group. Find a writer friend and inspire each other. You need a
positive spirit in your writing life.
You Can Change
Your Attitude
You can change your
attitude. Say, "I’m a writer." Write it down. Then act like a writer
and write. Think confident thoughts and make it a habit. Paint a mental picture
of success. Say to yourself, "I will succeed."
Be transformed by the renewing of your mind…
Rom. 12:1
(NIV)
Change your thinking
pattern from negative thoughts to positive thoughts. It won’t happen over night
but keep working at it. Soon, those negative thoughts will be pushed away as
quickly as they hit your brain.
You Can Change
Someone’s Attitude
You may think, I can change
my attitude but I can’t change someone else’s attitude. Or can you?
You can. You can be so
positive and upbeat that after awhile, your double negative will think
positive, too. You can blame people for your failures or you can turn them into
positive people.
What if they refuse to
change their negative attitude about your writing? You’ve heard of writer’s
block? Use it and block out the negatives. You can tune people out. Refuse to
hear or accept the negative comments. Think how much fun it will be when you
accomplish something people say you can never do.
Always keep your positive
attitude. When you’re positive, then you can change negative attitudes…yours
and someone else’s.
Copyright 2002 Kay
Gibson
Kay Gibson lives in
LITERATURE, THE SPIRIT LED WRITER, and other publications.
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