Overcoming insecurities about writing

I am working on overcoming my insecurities about my writing ability. There were times in the past that I let my self doubts get in the way of trying to get writings published. In a class in Latin-American Poetry I handed in a paper a month late. It was a paper comparing some Latin-American poets and some poets from Madagascar. When the professor read the paper he said that I should get it published, but I let my self doubts keep me from submitting it anywhere, Later when I got my nerve up enough to submit it I had lost the paper. This was in the day before personal computers were handy for keeping such things. The same professor later wanted me to translate some of his books from Spanish into French. I procrastinated too long because of insecurities. I had a teacher in high school who sometimes would give optional writing assignments. They were optional for everyone but me. He wanted me to write, because he said that I had talent. Even with that encouragement I was not very confident. I am working on overcoming that insecurity. So far writing this blog has helped my mood immensely as a means of self expression.