by Catherine L. Tully

I’m going to hang it all out there today.

We’re going to talk about fear.

Writers as a group have certain fears that people who work in other fields may never experience in the same way. Naturally, core fears for most of us in life are similar, but when you choose writing as a career, I would argue that you are putting yourself out there in a way that many other people are not. We may all be afraid of spiders, snakes and heights, but as a writer, there’s another biggie lurking under the surface for many of us…

A friend of mine pointed out that no matter what you write–there’s a piece of you in there. I had to think about this for a bit to see if I agreed, but ultimately, I do. Everything you write has your stamp on it in some way. You have sifted it through your mind and it has come through your experience.

Naturally this is true of some pieces more than others. If you are writing a top 10 restaurant list it won’t be as personal as if you are doing an essay on how you feel about the environment, but there is a piece of you in each. That’s why when you send out a query or even when you get published–it can be a little scary. You’ve opened up your inner self and shared a bit. At least, if you’ve written it well…

By nature I’m not a very open person. Yet I write. And every time I author a piece, I’m risking a little bit. I’m sharing things about myself with the reader. Being a little vulnerable. This may not be frightening to every person who writes, but I think that some of you out there may know what I’m talking about.

Ultimately, I’m happy that it’s a little scary for me though. Through writing I have been able to learn more about myself. I’ve grown. I’ve honed many of my thoughts and opinions from vague wisps that float through my mind to solid concepts that I can explain and defend. Sure, it may be a little frightening, but the reward sure is worth it.

What do you think? Have you learned something about yourself because you are a writer? Because of exposing some inner layer of yourself?

I doubt very much that I’m the only one…