From Edie: DiAnn Mills shares 7 common writing fears, including perfectionism, rejection, and self-doubt, and learn how to overcome them with practical strategies and faith.
7 Common Writing Fears and How to Overcome Them
by DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills
Fear isn’t the enemy; unmanaged fear is the nemesis. Facing fear in our writing is a good thing When FOW (fear of writing) backs me against an impenetrable wall, my stomach resembles a roller-coaster, and I’m professionally and psychologically paralyzed.
Through over two decades of writing and publishing, I’ve concluded that fear can be a positive. The emotion keeps us humble, shoves pride to the curb, ensures a reliance on God, and makes us stronger individuals. It also can cause a few sleepless nights while developing characters, plot, and “what-ifs.”
The question isn’t how to get rid of fear but how to define and understand the root of what is threatening our career. When we understand the issue, we can address the doubts and make progress.
Let’s investigate some of the common fears and how to replace them with healthy alternatives.
Fear of the Blank Page
One of the most insightful responses to the fear of a blank page is to remember we’ve been called to create something valuable—a story, article, or message that can make a difference in a reader’s life. Begin a blank page with a reminder of why you want to write, the vision for the piece, and your desire for readers to grasp.
A blank page is the most common result of allowing the enemy to gain control of our God-given calling. Conquer the fears and the words will come.
Perfectionism
I’ve never met a writer who wasn’t a perfectionist. It’s why we daily commit to learning about the craft, social media, marketing, promotion, and the industry. We surround ourselves with a community of writers, critique partners, a writing group, accountability partners—all with the resolve of helping others submit their best.
Fear of Missing Deadlines
The best way to avoid the fear of deadlines, is to create a calendar that realistically shows the days and times available for writing with a personal goal of finishing long before the due date. For example: a writer receives a contract with a deadline of April first. The writer commits to having the manuscript completed by February first. The next step is to study a calendar to determine the minimum number of words to write each day. Do not count conferences, travel days, holidays, Sundays, or special events. Total manuscript words ÷ available writing days = daily word goal. The process allows for life interruptions and accepts the fact most of us will write during those days marked as non-writing. With this simple formula, the book is completed before February and allows plenty of time for edits and life.
Failure, Rejection, and Criticism
Our writing projects must cause a twinge of fear to challenge us to do our best. In attempting difficult manuscripts, we learn humility, improve our skills, rely on God’s guidance, and produce outstanding work. Failing is but an opportunity to examine what needs to be changed and write again.
Develop a statement of how to handle criticism. To some we can respond graciously, others we ignore. Failure, rejection, and criticism do not define who we are or our calling as a writer.
Emotional Exposure
Vulnerability is a fear that requires a balance of how much of ourselves we reveal in our writing. Our voice is who we are; our personal life and experiences influence our topics. We will expose emotions that are like ours. The key to remember is whatever we create is to benefit our readers. Writing is never about us. In fiction, we might use a real happening, but we will massage the experience into the character’s personality. Emotional exposure is a tool, not to be feared but sharpened.
Imposter Syndrome
Many passionate writers wrestle with imposter syndrome.
- Why did I ever think I could write?
- What if my career is over?
- What if readers hate my story?
Friends, if we don’t embrace our fear of losing our creative abilities and take steps to pray and improve, we’ll never write another word.
Lack of self-confidence
I wanted to write all my life. Lack of self-confidence stopped me from showing my work to anyone. Everything I attempted or completed, I trashed. Other fears added to the cauldron: perfectionism, criticism, and emotional exposure. My husband challenged me to write a book. He encouraged me to quit my job and write for a year. If I published anything, whether paid or not, I didn’t need to return to my old job. And I did.
Friends, writing is a gift given to us for the purpose of enriching the lives of others. We need to understand our fears, pray through them, and continue writing.
FOW may knock on our door, but we don't have to invite in the enemy. How do you manage your fear of writing? Let’s share!
TWEETABLE
Her novels have appeared on the CBA, ECPA, and Publishers Weekly bestseller lists and have earned numerous honors, including the Christy, Selah, Golden Scroll, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol Awards
DiAnn is a founding board member of American Christian Fiction Writers and serves as Conference Advisor for the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference. She is also active in Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, International Thriller Writers, the Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild, Outliers Writing University, and The Christian Pen. Passionate about helping others succeed, she invests in writers through mentoring, book coaching, editing, and dynamic workshops she teaches across the country.
A self-proclaimed coffee snob who roasts her own beans, DiAnn enjoys diving into good books, experimenting in the kitchen, and unabashedly spoiling her grandchildren—whom she insists are the smartest kids in the universe. She makes her home under the sunny skies of Houston, Texas.
Connect with DiAnn for behind-the-scenes glimpses, writing tips, and lively conversations at diannmills.com, or on Facebook, X, Instagram, Pinterest, Goodreads, BookBub, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
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