December 18, 2009

“Do the thing you fear, and the death of fear is certain.” (Ralph Waldo Emerson)

I’ve been reading James Scott Bell’s excellent book The Art of War for Writers (all five-star reviews on Amazon.com), and he says that “the biggest mental obstacle–in writing, in war, in life itself–is fear.” I would agree 100%.

How do we fear writing?

Let me count the ways… Bell mentions several kinds of fear that plague writers. Do you find yourself in this list? Do you have additional fears?

Fear of:

• not being good enough
• not getting published
• getting published but not selling
• getting published once but never again
• getting stomped by critics
• getting stomped by family members
• wasting your time

The Quality of Fearlessness

Bell wrote about the young Teddy Roosevelt who was a sick, frail, fearful child–and what changed him into the fearless leader of history. Basically, he learned the old adage of “fake it till you make it” or “act as if.” Bell says that fearful writers become fearless writers in the same way.

Sure, you will set goals and get prepared and (if you’re like me) pray for help, but in the end you will need to act as if you’re a successful, fearless writer until (over time) your feelings catch up with your behavior and you actually become one.

Start Today

When fear in some form hits you today, what immediate action step could you take in the face of that fear? How would a professional, successful writer deal with that fear? What is one way you can channel that fear into energy for your writing?

Be fearless today and, as battle buddies, share one tip you’ve used successfully to win the war on the many fears of writing.

7 Comments »

1. 

   Kristi, I love the Emerson quote at the beginning of your post! In my personal life, I have had to go through many circumstances I would rather not have. I’m sure that’s the case for you & your blog readers, too. The result is that–with much prayer and God’s help– I am almost fearless (though I won’t be bunging jumping anytime soon). In the end, a great sense of satisfaction overwhelms me in having gone through an ordeal and prevailed. That satisfaction will not be felt by avoiding a situation. I wish that satisfaction for anyone reading this. And now if something unpleasant seems imminent, I can say, “If it must be, bring it on.”

   Comment by Jane Healy — December 18, 2009 @ 10:00 am

2. 

   Jane, how interesting that you should say this! I had just written those words almost verbatim to a gal in my DivorceCare group today. Once you survive an ordeal and grow from it, many fewer things in life scare you. You know the truth of God’s sustaining grace–it’s much more than a phrase then!

   Comment by Kristi Holl — December 18, 2009 @ 7:10 pm

3. 

   Oh, if I could get to that point - that “If it must be, bring it on” point. There is so much I’m afraid of…

   Comment by Yvette — December 18, 2009 @ 9:10 pm

4. 

   I need to rethink discipline and fear where it concerns me. I’m typically fearless — leaping into all sorts of fires. I’ve always thought that my procrastination is more a discipline problem, but I admit that there’s some anxiety/fear as well. Perhaps I’m just beginning to admit just how much I really, really want this … that it matters.

   Well, that’s clear as mud … Sorry.

   Comment by Vijaya — December 19, 2009 @ 4:53 pm

5. 

   Okay, a tip when I am scared of writing absolute dreck: go to the notebook. There is something about the computer with it’s neat and tidy font and the semblance of something polished that inhibits me. The notebook is freeing. I scratch out a story and if I hate it, put a big X through it and it’s no big deal.

   Comment by Vijaya — December 19, 2009 @ 8:56 pm

6. 

   I tend to underestimate fear. It sweeps over me when I least expect it, or when I most need courage. I went through a terrific spat of it when I finished my first novel, after the first draft was through, that had me paralyzed with the thought, what if this draft is as good as it gets? Or, I don’t know how to edit, thus I won’t ever be able to. I’m on my sixth novel now and that roadblock has long since been surpassed, yet the memory of how that fear felt is quite vivid. It’s a powerful thing no doubt and something we all share in as writers. I loved your post. Thanks for bringing the subject up. I may very well blog on it myself

   Comment by JS Chancellor — December 21, 2009 @ 5:37 pm

7. 

   I’m over-due in responding to comments (gone five days–no computer) but I wanted to make sure everyone dealing with writing fear knows that there are excellent books out there for us. Two or three of the best titles on my shelf are FEARLESS CREATING by Eric Maisel, THE COURAGE TO WRITE by Ralph Keyes, and THE WRITER’S BOOK OF HOPE, also by Keyes.

   Comment by Kristi Holl — December 25, 2009 @ 11:57 am

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