Overcoming Writing Fear: Embracing the Creative Journey
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Understanding the Nature of Fear in Writing
Fear is a common barrier that many writers face, yet it’s often overlooked. It’s time to confront this issue and have an essential discussion about it. Fear tends to hold us back, urging us to procrastinate. Instead of creating, we might find ourselves distracted by our phones or endlessly scrolling through social media.
However, it’s important to recognize that fear can actually serve as a beneficial companion in the writing journey. Each person's experience with fear is unique, and it can often play tricks on our minds. To combat this, I aim to detach emotion from the fear that can arise during the creative process.
Actor Willem Dafoe expresses a fascinating perspective; he finds value in the possibility of failure. He believes that to be liberated, one must learn to let go of worry. Attempting to fail can be likened to conquering a mountain of fear. Dafoe also points out that a creative endeavor only feels risky if it lacks risk. Embracing risk is essential for growth.
Reframing Fear: A Personal Experience
Fear is essentially a collection of negative thoughts that we often mistakenly trust. Take my first novel, Bite The Bullet, for example. I was terrified that it would offend readers due to its gritty content and explicit language. Surprisingly, I received little negative feedback. I even feared that my own family would disapprove, but I was wrong on that count as well.
If someone doesn’t appreciate my work, that’s perfectly okay; I didn't write it for them. While there are some unfavorable reviews, the majority have been positive, reflected in a commendable rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars. If I can achieve this, so can you!
Using Fear as a Motivator
Even after my initial success, I still encounter fear while writing my second novel. I worry that I will falter in the story’s execution. Sequels often disappoint, and I fear not remaining true to my characters or producing a narrative that lacks coherence.
This specific fear is constructive; it’s something I can address with my editor and story coach. Just like Spiderman has his Spider-Sense that alerts him to danger, fear can signal you when something in your writing isn’t right.
Remember, the revision stage is where improvements happen, not the publishing phase. Even after self-publishing, you have the option to make changes if necessary. You hold more control over this creative process than you may realize.
Contextualizing Fear
Fear communicates a variety of messages, some of which can be constructive while others are purely discouraging. It’s vital to assess whether fear is offering useful insights or simply encouraging avoidance.
Take a moment to reflect on your overarching goal. Are you moving toward it or allowing fear to hinder your progress? Unfocused fear can lead to stagnation, much like running in circles without making any real progress.
The aim should be to transform your fears into actionable steps. Determine if fear is providing you with valuable insights that can guide your work or if it’s merely leading to procrastination.