Our Question for May covers all our neurotic bases in one powerful word – FEAR. It can push us to great heights or paralyze us . . . yet it’s something we can control and USE to become better writers!
May 7th question: Some common fears writers share are rejection, failure, success, and lack of talent or ability. What are your greatest fears as a writer? How do (did) you manage them?
I grew up painfully shy. Getting called on in class and having all the eyes turn to me was paralyzing-literally. Then, in 5th grade, the teacher everyone was afraid of picked two anonymous selections from essays we’d turned in – one she consider promising but needed work and one that was perfect. As she read the first one, the class was restless, but a few students offered helpful suggestions – including me. Then the second work was read. It was mine! As I sat paralyzed, I realized that there wasn’t a sound from the class. Everyone was . . . listening. Then came the comments – ALL were overwhelmingly positive. When the teacher asked for constructive criticism, there was silence. Then the boy I had a crush on, (of course!) said he was mad . . . because there wasn’t more of it!
I was stunned!
Then came college. My dream was to become a journalist. Imagine being asked as the only underclassman to join the university newspaper staff . . . until I realized it meant actually going out of my comfort bubble and initiating interviews with - strangers. My first deadline came and went. Concerned, the editor actually came to my home to find out what the problem was, because he just loved my work. When I confessed it was a people problem, he gave me another avenue to consider . . . fiction writing (another class he taught!), where I had control and could be my own boss on the bigger canvas I deserved. A light bulb moment. I had a huge historical novel sitting in a manuscript box. His words convinced me to send six copies out into the scary world of NYC. They all came back. One had a brief note. “This didn’t work for us. Do you have anything else you can send for our upcoming historical romance line?”
Romance was a brand-new genre. Short or long. Sweet or steamy. Present day or historical. All the avenues this writer had dreamed of. What I thought was a traditional Regency became one of the first two Regency-set historical romances - the first of my 80 (!) published novels to come in multiple genres from NYC and small press to self-pubbed.
Don’t let fear stop you! Don’t allow statistics to build a wall too high to climb. Publishers buy books every day! Midlist houses take new authors. Self-publishing isn’t as forbidding as it once was. There is a path for you and your book of the heart.
Don’t be afraid to take it!
And don’t forget to peruse the other offerings from our IWSG this month!!
Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time. The awesome co-hosts for the November 6th posting of the IWSG will be are Feather Stone, Janet Alcorn, Rebecca Douglass, Jemima Pett, and Pat Garcia!
Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!
Twitter hashtag is #IWSG
I'm glad you found a path that works for you. And you're right about not letting fear get in the way of what you really want.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard but once you take that first step . . .
DeleteYou just needed to find your path.
ReplyDeleteI'd been stunned as well if the teacher picked my essay as the perfect one.
And as the song goes it's a long and winding road . . .
DeleteSo glad you found your way past the fear. I'd never make it as a journalist, either, for the same reason. Or maybe not--I'd have said much the same about my daughter, and now she's not only writing long-form journalism, but doing a pod-cast and getting interviewed for her expertise!
ReplyDeleteAs for perfection... as a child I'd have been thrilled. As an adult writer, the thought terrifies me!
ReplyDeleteGlad you found the right path for you as a writer/author. I actually had the same issue in college. I started out in journalism but due to my shyness I switched majors. Then ended up waisting my time for several years doing things I didn't like. But in the end I found that I love graphic design so I got a bachelors in that and a minor is mass communications. My hardest thing was interviews. I love writing what I want and love it when readers enjoy my stories. I am happy you found your path. Look forward to reading more from you.
ReplyDeleteKatie Jenkins from The Dungeon Crawlers Blog #88 ISWG Blog List.
That was a good story of your success. It made me think I could succeed too. It's difficult to get your work out there to be seen but more difficult is the step to actually send out your work. Of course one must finish the work before doing anything with it. I have yet to do that.
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by my blog. Have a lovely day.
Positive feedback is such a gift.
ReplyDeleteGreat Inspiring Post! Thank you! It helps---alot!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for such an inspiring post! I needed to hear this today (and, well, every day).
ReplyDelete