Fear and Writing

[R.E. Chambliss]

Do you all experience fear when writing? I do--often! And I keep expecting it to get easier, but I don't think it ever will.

I still write and face that fear regularly, but it's something else that I don't think non-writers realize. How scary it can be to find a story and get it down in a readable, interesting way!

How do you cope with it and keep writing anyway? Listening to music helps me. And writing regularly makes it easier. If I get out of the habit of writing new fiction, it's always hard to get back into it.

What do all of you do?

[Michele Roger]

My son and I both write. We both have the same coping mechanism. We write a section and then walk around the house, the yard, walk the dog, etc. Then, when that is clear from our heads, we go to the next section. He and I both dread the start up, as you mentioned. I've asked friends to be my cold readers on Sundays to make me keep a deadline.

[Rhonda R. Carpenter]

Hey Renee,
Fear, no, not in my case that comes with the editing part LOL. I do use music as inspiration and to set t tone or mood. I Think being on an online forum for so many years I developed a thick skin. What bugs me the most is having the time to write while marketing and working and all the other things I do.

Rhonda

[Arlene Radasky]

I feel frustration sometimes. I am writing about times for which a lot of archaeological information is available, but not social information and the whys of somethings. I had a major problem figuring out why one ring of standing stones in the Orkneys have 60 stones and the next had only twelve? No one put the reason down in writing! LOL So, I have to come up with plausable reasons. For a lot of things! When I have a breakthrough, something I think others will believe, then I am happy and can go on.

I had some wonderful music for my last book. I used it. Now I am looking for something that sounds ancient for inspiration.

This writing thing is not easy!

[R.E. Chambliss]

Rhonda- My fear comes from being stuck: either with the story--not knowing what's going to happen next, or with the language--sometimes I have trouble getting it how I want it. But once I'm editing, I usually don't have too much fear. Funny how different the process can be for each of us!

Michelle- How great that you can share the experience of writing with your son! I love the walking idea. I often have writing breakthroughs when jogging, driving, or taking a shower! The deadline idea is a good one too.

Arlene- That would be frustrating! I heard Diana Gabaldon say that one of the reasons she decided to write historical fiction was so that if she couldn't think of what to write about, she could get ideas from her research. But when the research isn't there, I guess you're out of luck!

Hope you find some wonderful, inspirational ancient music soon!

[Emerian Rich]

I don't have fear of writing. When I can't think of the next part, it's usually on a short story and it's because I HATE THEM! hehehe.
But really-- I DO fear putting out my writing and having people read it. I might be cocky, but I know I can tell a good story. And I never feel pissed or angry if people put down the way my story unfolds because I have written a story that I want to write. But I do have fear that my writing is not good enough or that I haven't caught enough errors, or that there is some big DO NOT DO thing out there that I haven't learned yet.
Everytime I learn something new, I am frustrated with the fact that I have done that same error on every page of the manuscript. However, you can have a writing group (or an editor) review your stuff 500 different ways and still... you give it to someone else and they say, "Ut-oh... passive voice." Or... "Nope... too many pronouns." or whatever... I hate that!
And being a perfectionist, I hate it more because I am constantly rewriting. I have finally taught myself to let go and get on with a new book... but see... here I am years after writing Night's Knights and I am re-editing for print and I am redlining the thing to death. Will I ever be happy with my writing? I don't think so.
But I am just going to do the best I can and then maybe one day someone will take a chance on me and get me a really good editor. Maybe.
:)
I think my fear is the fear of the unknown critic. What is that one person gonna say about my writing that is going to bug me to death because now it's in print and I can't do anything about it?

[R.E. Chambliss]

Emerian-

I can definitely relate! My fear is so connected to imagined criticism. And when I'm in the process of preparing something to be read by others, it makes it that much harder to let go and write new material.

One thing that helps is reminding myself that nothing is universally adored. Even my favorite books and writers are disliked by some people. There's no way to please everyone, so I try to write well enough to please myself. And since I am super self-critical, that approach helps.

Besides, worrying too much about the "rules" can be paralyzing. I believe that a writer can always improve, but also that there aren't any set in stone rules that one can follow that will lead to flawless writing and story-telling. Passive voice, for example, is perfectly appropriate sometimes! (Like now! ;o)

Anyway, thanks for sharing your thoughts about all of this and good luck to you at getting your book ready!

Take care,

Renee