Fears!

[FangedSmile]

A Writer's Book of Fears


Writing is a lot like learning to swim. You are either comfortable in the water or afraid of it. And if you are afraid, you'll have to learn to overcome your fear before you start. The same goes for writing. Writers as a group have many fears they have to deal with before, during and long after we've finished our writing.

Fear can be debilitating to a writer. It can keep you from all aspect of your craft - from finishing a story to submitting one. Learning to deal with your fears is the first step to writing without them.

Writing
"I'm a terrible writer." This is the number one thing I hear from writers. It can be caused by many things, but the most common is a negative review. One negative review is enough to put the most seasoned writer into a funk. So how do you bash this writing fear?

Learn your craft. I don't just mean grammar and spelling. I mean the art of writing. Are you a short story writer? Then learn the different types of story stories and what is necessary for each. A poet? Start trying out different poetic forms. The more you know, the better prepared you are when the time comes to write.

Finishing
"I never finish anything." What writer can say they've finished every single piece they started writing? Not many. I have a folder with stories I've started, and then put aside when time or interest disappeared. Sometimes it can feel like you never finish a piece. This fear can really halt a writing session, but it is easily dealt with.

Keep all of your works in progress in a folder where you can see it. On days when you don't have an idea, go through the folder and pick one. Read through your choice and let the words flow through your mind. Let the plot spark your muse and start writing. You never know, you might bring an old tale back from the dead.

Showing
"I can't let anyone read my work." Letting someone else read your work is probably the hardest and most fearful thing a writer can do. Your work is your baby, taken from the first germ of an idea through to the final polished piece. How can you possibly let someone tear your baby apart?

Feedback is the single most helpful tool a writer has, whether good or bad. Before you allow someone to read your latest piece, be sure you have taken the time to correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors. Read your piece out loud for continuity and flow. Give your reader your best work, free of errors. Don't be discouraged by a negative review. This isn't about you personally; it's about how your writing affected them.

Submitting
"I'm afraid I'll be rejected." Every writer, from the highest paid to the first time submitter, is going to be rejected. And not just once. Every rejection increases a writer's fears because in the writer's mind it's a confirmation of their inability to write.

If you are only writing for yourself, you will never have to worry about submitting your work. But most writers aren't writing just for themselves. When you lick that envelope or click that send button on your submission, you are setting yourself up for rejection. But getting a rejection isn't the end of the world. Read the letter you get back from the editor. Look for any suggestions they have about your work. Remember, the reason could have nothing to do with your writing ability, but with the magazine or editor's needs at the time you submitted.

All writers have fears about their craft. It is as inevitable as taxes. Overcoming your fears takes determination and desire, not only to write, but to be read. Only you have the power to make it take a backseat to what you want to do more than anything in the world - write.

Thank you for taking the time to read. Happy Writing!


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