Writing fear: what's the worst that can happen?
All writers get the fear from time to time. We either think we’re not good enough or don’t want to face the reality of starting up a new writing project. But really, when it comes down to it, what’s the worst that can happen?
That’s what I talk about in this episode: why you might get the writing-related willies and what you should remember when it happens. Some worries are perfectly legitimate, but most of the time you just need to think things through, be sensible and carry on regardless.
Watch the clip and see what you think. You can leave your thoughts in the comments section below and your feedback is always welcome, of course.
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Fear is a very interesting thing. Mine: people will discover that I’m a fraud.
It’s not that I’m actually fraudulent about anything. It’s that people will THINK that I’m a fraud. I suspect that this fear is very common for writers. What gives me the right to claim that I’m a writer (other than two college degrees that pronounce me one, right there in beautifully calligraphic script)?
Fortunately, a very wise colleague helped me with this mantra and I say it when the fear creeps back up: “I’m a fraud and there’s nothing that I can do about it.” I own my fraudulence. I no longer hide from it. There, I said it.
And strangely, I don’t feel so fraudulent any more. Yes, I’m a fraud. But I’m doing it. I’m writing. So I’m not a fraud after all. A bit of light and the fears slink away.
I could just as easily say, “I’m not really a writer, but I’m going to sit down and type out a few things every day.”
Fantastic stuff Randy, you sum it up perfectly. I continually think, ‘Gosh, I’m blagging my way through this one,’ but then I think about what is now a decade’s worth of writing experience and tell myself to get over it.
Brilliant stuff. Thanks so much for the comment.