Writing Scared: Choosing to Write Anyway

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

I’ve just come through a long year. The past twelve months were full to overflowing with family needs and requirements. Those commitments ate away at my creative writing time and left me struggling to even get the bare minimum accomplished. 

But I survived—intact—if a little depleted and weary. 

So, when I got ready to work on a new project I felt joy and excitement about returning to a regular writing schedule. I imagined pumping out words, digging deep into edits, and renewing my thrill of creating with words. 

Then the fear hit. 

Coming back to a blank screen hasn’t been the joy-filled experience I’d envisioned. It turns out, I’m out of practice and creative muscles are flabby. With the realization I wasn’t at the top of my game, fear took over. Those insidious voices that live in a writer’s head began a chorus of 

• You’ll never come back.
• You won’t write anything worthwhile.
• Even if you do finish something—which is highly unlikely—it won’t be worth reading.
• No publisher will ever take a chance on you again. 
• It’s time to toss in the writing towel, the pain won’t be worth the effort. 

Yep, I have the same cruel voices living in my head as you have in yours. 

This meant I was at a crossroad. Did I follow the advice of the voices or did I write scared?

I chose writing scared. Truthfully, I don’t have much choice. Even if I give up all “professional” writing, I can’t quit journaling and jotting down thoughts. I’m a writer, and even if I never regain the point where I had been, I’m still going to stay true to my call. 

9 Things I’ve done and Am Doing to Keep Writing When I’m Scared

1. Pray first. I didn’t call myself to write. I didn’t create myself with a path of writing in my future. By starting every writing session with prayer first, I’m reminding myself WHO is my strength and my infinite well of creativity! Not sure what to pray? Visit this post on how to Pray Over Your Writing.

2. Rehearse and repeat positive words. Instead of rehearsing the things the ugly voices say, I remind myself of the good things that have come way from writing. These include:

• The things readers have said about my writing
• Critiques that have had encouragement
• Articles I’ve gotten published
• Books I’ve gotten published
• The joy I’ve felt when the words flowed and a project came together

3. Make a date. I tend to find “urgent” things to do around the house—like clean out my closet—when I have writing to do and I’m feeling insecure about writing. To combat that, I put my writing time in my bullet journal like a real appointment. Because it really is a real appointment!

4. Set goals. I tend to set my goals with time. For example: I will write from 9 – 11 on Monday, Friday, and Saturday. This works for me because when I’m writing scared the words don’t often flow freely. So I can leave a writing session feeling like I’ve failed if I have a word count goal. You may be different. Set goals that work for you, but SET THEM. 

5. Be accountable. Even with the appointment made, I’m still creative about finding ways to avoid writing when I’m fearful. So I go one step further and enlist an accountability partner (or partners). These are other writers who will ask me for my word count and my progress.

6. Find an encourager. This is slightly different from the accountability, although sometimes they’re the same person. What I’m looking for is someone I can be honest with about my fears. This person will also speak honest encouragement to me, reminding me of things God has done through me. 

7. Stay active in the industry. Read writing blogs, comment on social media posts from other writers. Join a local writing group and then attend the meetings. By surrounding ourselves with the writing community, we make it harder to quit. I also see that my fears aren’t unique to me. All writers have times when they struggle. 

8. Take time to write for fun. Yes, I’ve been working on a specific project, but I’m also trying to recapture the joy of playing with words. So I may begin my writing time with a writing prompt or a challenge to write a poem, like a Haiku. 

9. Go on a creative field trip. For me that means pulling out my camera and going on a photo walk. For others it may mean a trip to the bookstore or the library. Many are challenged creatively by watching a movie or visiting a museum. Do what inspires you and don’t fall for the lie that you’re wasting time. Recharging your creative batteries is never a waste of time.

10. Write anyway. The words may look like clods of dirt on the page. But exercising our creative muscles will pay off. The clunky words will morph into musical phrases. Just keep writing. Write the junk with the knowledge that the jewels will come.

Bottom Line

The only way we can fail as writers is to quit. So keep writing—when you’re scared, exhausted, and discouraged. Let the act of writing be the encouragement you need to fulfill your calling and once again recapture the joy.

Now it’s your turn. How do you write scared? What tips would you add to my list? Be sure to leave your thoughts in the comments section below. 

Don’t forget to join the conversation!

Blessings,

Edie

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Writing Scared: Choosing to Write Anyway from @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Edie Melson is a woman of faith with ink-stained fingers observing life through the lens of her camera. She’s a writer who feels lost without her camera and a card-carrying introvert who loves to encourage an audience. She also embraces the ultimate contradiction of being an organized creative. As a popular speaker, she’s encouraged and challenged audiences across the country and around the world. Her numerous books, including the award-winning Soul Care series reflect her passion to help others develop the strength of their God-given gifts and apply them to their lives.

She and husband Kirk have been married 43+ years, and live near their three sons and three grandchildren in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Edie and Kirk can often be found with their big black dog hiking—Edie hanging off ledges for the best camera angle and Kirk patiently carrying her tripod. Connect with her on her website, www.EdieMelson.com and through social media.