Overcoming The Fear

At first glance writing may not seem like the scariest of endeavours. But writers, whether published or not, face an immense mental challenge, and this can turn into a crippling fear.

The first challenge is the empty screen. That flashing cursor waiting patiently for you to fill the page with brilliance.  

Then once you start writing the niggle that the story isn't quite right, that your middle will sag, that your middle does sag, that you're spending hours every day working on something that is an appalling pile of nonsense, even that somewhere there's another writer writing a story almost identical to yours... I call these the Doubt Demons.

The standard advice is to just keep writing... 

While I take Mr Bradbury's point, this kind of advice doesn't help when I'm teetering on the brink of an anxiety attack, consumed with self doubt and scrubbing the toilet as a virtuous form of procrastination.

Fear not, though.  I know way to overcome the dreaded doubt demons.

Its habit.

Humans are habit driven creatures.  Check out The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg for a heap of fascinating research on this subject.  

In my writing I have harnessed this characteristic of habit, and used it to keep motivated and overcome the Doubt Demons.

Motivation-wise I've developed a habit of showing up.  8am, for one hour, I will sit down at my computer to write.  That is my habit.

All I ask of myself is that I show up. That's it. I don't have a word count goal. I don't expect anything else of myself except that at 8am I am seated in front of my laptop.  Sometimes the hour flies by, and I'm there for another two.  Sometimes I've got nothing and spend the time researching (which is fine, the goal is to move the story forward and research will always do this).  Sometimes I'm overwhelmed with self-doubt and can only focus on the washing that needs folding, the toilet that need scrubbing or the dogs who need walking...

This is where I also use habit.

Self doubt, negative self talk, overwhelm, anxiety... this fear, or negative mental state is a habit.  For me, as soon as I lose where the plot is heading, struggle with a scene, or have anything be remotely challenging the Doubt Demons take over my inner dialogue.

These issues are always going to be there when I'm writing. A plot never goes smoothly. Scenes suck. Challenges come out of nowhere.  I cannot change the 'trigger' for the negative self-talk habit.

However, I can (and have) changed my reaction.

First, I don't let myself entertain the negative self-talk.  As soon the inner dialogue starts I redirect it.  I refuse to think negatively.  Generally I give focussing back on the story a go.  Sometimes that works. But not always, so...

Secondly, I think 'ooh a problem to be solved.'  I turn the negativity into something positive and interesting.  I like to solve problems. I find it engaging and enjoyable.  I take time to pick apart the problem, and nut out solutions.

Doubt Demons do not have to have a place in your writing life.  They are a habit.  And habits, with patience, persistence and practice can be changed.

When Can You Call Yourself A Real Writer?

by Enisa Haines

An aspiring writer plans or wishes or hopes to write. One day. But they never do. A writer, the dictionary states, is a person who writes. I write. I've written a number of novels. So I have the right to call myself a writer, a real writer, but do I really?

I sit diligently by the computer adding words to the screen, but many a time self-doubt sneaks up and I feel like a fraud.

I don't write full-time as my day job interferes. Still, writing dominates my thoughts, demanding my attention. I devote hours  daily to writing, both good hours when the words just flow and wasted hours when the words refuse to appear. I have critique partners whose suggestions I use to rewrite my work and make it the best it can be. So my writing  is more than a simple leisure pursuit. It's a serious pursuit on its way to being my career.

I am not published in full-length romance fiction. My heart aches but I'm passionate about writing and proud of what I have achieved. I've attended workshops and conferences to learn my craft. I've won and placed in contests. I've had short stories published. I write blog posts. I've completed whole manuscripts. I may not have books for sale in shops or online but I don't let the disappointment own me. I'm simply not yet published.

I haven't been offered a publishing contract but I have submitted my work to editors and agents via successful pitches at conferences and via the slush pile. One rejection came after another. Discouraging? You bet it is! It's a flogging of my self-confidence and I'm left wondering, 'Is my writing any good?' Then I tell myself, 'Hey, authors Stephen King and JK Rowling received rejection letters. Did that stop them from writing? No.'

Each rejection I have received is more encouraging than the last, giving clear explanations for rejecting and requesting new submissions. The editor wants to see more of my writing. That's a big confidence booster. Is it any wonder I'm soon back at the computer writing?

So, yes, I can call myself a writer, a real writer, and I can say it with confidence. And that's...empowering!


Have you found yourself wondering if you're a real writer? At what point have you decided you are?

Love to love - planning my 'top-of-the-bucket-list' writers' retreat and Northern Lights trip.

Love to laugh - at the radio DJs who make my commutes to work and back home fun drives.

Love to learn - what other writers think about their writing.