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Fear Cripples Writers

By Michael Stelzner

I recently posted the question, “What Keeps You From Writing?” as a guest blogger on Copyblogger.com and the results surprised me.

One of the most common responses was “fear.”

For example, commenter Mark Lewin said, “Fear. Fear that I’ll find it hard. Fear that I won’t do my best work. Fear that I’ll do my best work and my readers won’t like it. Above all: fear that I’m just kidding myself and that I can’t really write at all.”

My questions to you: Why are writers afraid? If you have a similar fear, can you explain how it came about?

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, August 1st, 2007 at 7:06 am and is filed under Writing White Papers. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

  • Am enjoying a long weekend here in South Africa, so I've got some time to delve into the archives! Enjoyed this post, felt compelled to include my greatest fear - the one of not making the deadline!
  • Professional writers need to overcome that fear everyday and just type something. Anything. Deadlines mean fear must get pushed aside. I do not know any professional writers that can not push past the fear of the blank page. I know many a non-professional, however and I think they need to simply give themselves a deadline. Consider yourself a professional!
  • Geoff;

    Great point!

    My prayers go out to the families of victims and survivors!

    Mike
  • At the risk of beating a dead horse, the recent bridge collapse in Minnesota is an example of where fear is absolutely applicable. Many hearts go out to the families and communities affected and those still living with the fear of uncertainty related to those still unaccounted for.

    This writing thing, this should not be a place for fear. It should be a place for finding out a little more about the world, ourselves, and maybe - if we're lucky - how those two fit together. And that goes for any type of writing.

    Best thoughts to those readers in the Minneapolis area and the families of those affected.
  • I think Brian has a great point. Fear is the issue, writing is where it manifest for some people. I'm not being condescending when I say this, but so what if you write something that isn't that good by your own or other peoples standards? You go back to work on another one.

    I have a an MA in writing. I've done extensive stints writing for some Fortune 500s. And I've written A LOT of crap! Life went on.

    My fear lies with things like raising my children without screwing them up too much. Planning for the day when I can retire, and not have to work until I'm 70. Those things with serious consequences. Writing? You get lots of opportunity to do that.

    Mike, the whole subject has been a great think piece.
  • Hey Brian - Thanks for stopping by!

    Everyone - Here is an interesting blog post on fear and writing that spawned from the copyblogger article:

    http://tappingcreativity.blogspot.com/2007/07/fearless-writing.html

    Mike
  • It's not just writers, I'm afraid. Fear tries to keep us all from doing the things we would like to do, whether that be in our business, personal or spiritual lives.

    The key is to not let fear win.
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