Top 10 Fears of Writers
In A Writer's Book of Days, Judy Reeves shares the results from a survey of writers showing their top fears about practicing the craft. Here's the list:
Chances are, you've had at least of few of these thoughts yourself at one time or another. I know I have! We're only human.
With practice and experience, some of these concerns lessen, I've found. For the other fears, do what you can to convince yourself of the opposite truths. Just keep writing! You can't let any of these worries stop you from doing what you love.
--Marcia Peterson
1. that I'm not good enough; that my writing is mediocre or bad
2. that my work is worthless, boring, drivel, not clever; that I have nothing interesting to say
3. that I won’t follow through or complete anything
4. that I'll get stuck and nothing will come out
5. that I'll never learn the craft of writing
6. that I'll appear stupid or foolish; afraid of what people will think
7. that I'll hurt someone
8. that I'm a fake, lying, not telling the truth
9. that its waste of time
A tie for 10:
10. that it’s been done or said before, better
10. that I won't get published
Chances are, you've had at least of few of these thoughts yourself at one time or another. I know I have! We're only human.
With practice and experience, some of these concerns lessen, I've found. For the other fears, do what you can to convince yourself of the opposite truths. Just keep writing! You can't let any of these worries stop you from doing what you love.
--Marcia Peterson
Labels: doubt, fear, Marcia Peterson, persistence, psychology of writing
