November 17, 2006
Fear
“‘Come to the edge,’ He said. They said, ‘We are afraid’.
‘Come to the edge,’ He said.
They came. He pushed them…and they flew.” ~~Guillaume Apollinaire
Let’s talk FEAR.
No, I’m not talking little things that go bump in the freaking night. I’m talking about the little things that go bump in your overcrowded mind and in your wee, vulnerable heart.
I’m posing this as a question to writers, since they seem to frequent this blog most—but feel free to comment on anything that affects you.
As an author, what are your greatest fears regarding your writing?
I’ve heard various comments before, such as running out of ideas, never finding the right editor/agent/publisher, books not selling, genres burning out, losing the ‘muse’, etc. But I think sometimes the fear goes even deeper than we realize ourselves. And recognition is the first step to cure, yes?
Dig deep, and let us know what you come up with. Maybe it’ll be of some help–or inspiration-to someone else.
Me?
I suppose I have a few, actually. But I know that one of the big ones is the fear that my writing isn’t as good as I try to make myself believe it is.
And maybe—just maybe—I may worry that my writing is competent, which would eliminate any excuses for lack of progress. And where would I be without excuses?!
So, how about you? C’mon, feel free to lay your guts open for the common good. Why not?
After all—what are you afraid of?



what are your greatest fears regarding your writing
sorta in the vein of running out of ideas… I have bouts of totally weariness sometimes (4 kids y’know) and I can’t write to save my life. The older I get, the more I fear this will be the norm rather than the exception…
The ideas are there running rampant but I am too flipping tired to muddle through and make them fit together and put them down
I hate to say this but your writing IS as good as you think it is, if not better
My biggest fear is failure.
I think we share a fear cell. My fears are the same as yours.
I worry (notice I didn’t say fear) that my work will never be good enough to compete with the ’stars’ of publishing. That I’ll always be just adequate, but never a favorite.
You’re a good writer Raine - you’re writing is good enough.
My fear. That I’m not good enough - for anything. You asked and I’m just assuming you wanted the truth.
{{{Dennie}}}. Kids are a very SPECIAL problem, aren’t they?
My biggest fear is failure.
Amie, that may really be the bottom-line, behind all the other bullshit facades.
(but not a chance…)
Sela, that’s interesting!
Maybe there’s a DNA treatment of some kind…
Jordan, the distinction you make between ‘fear’ and ‘worry’ is intriguing.
Thanks for sharing with us.
Okay, folks, in all honesty, I hadn’t planned to make comments on any of these. I just wanted it to kinda free-flow, to have everyone hopefully put their stuff out there. But I HAD to comment on Bailey’s, so I decided to remark on the others too…
Bailey, yes–I very much wanted the truth. Thank you so much for being honest.
I hope you’ll believe I’m being just as honest when I say you’re not only good enough for ANYTHING, you deserve the best of EVERYTHING.
My humble opinion.
Keep ‘em comin’, folks.
Bailey - I think that is true of most writers… and I think it may be something ingrained in us all - trust me I feel the same way you do - just ask my DH - (it totally drives him nuts!) - never thinking you’ll measure up for anything - I really think it is as much part of the creative process that drives us …
We are in an art where it is so hard to be judged and it is all so subjective - many other folks, say sports players, have statistics and ratios that point to or from their talent. Ours… is all about taste, preference and so forth
as Raine said - you are SO VERY WORTHY! Don’t doubt yourself!
sorry that was long - it boiled down to - I don’t think I have met a writer that DOESN’T feel that way… even Nora and Jill
Too true…every writer feels that way, even NY Times bestsellers
That fear of failure is what keeps me going even when I’d like to quit. Quitting is failure. (at least to me)
Here’s how I make the distinction. Worries are a pain in the arse. Fears are/can be debilitating. Besides, I tend to get pissed off when something makes me afraid, especially if it’s another person. Anger propels action. *g*
Jordan, thanks for clearing that up. I can accept that distinction.
And I think that reaction to anger is good & healthy.
Gosh…I’m late to the party (as usual).
My two biggest fears…: Having success with one book and then never being able to follow it again; I’m not good enough.
Michelle, I’ve heard that same one from a FEW people.
The Sophomore curse is real.