Tag Archives: fear

editorial

Writers And Fear

Catherineby 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…

advice

What’s Your Worst Freelance Fear?

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doorby Catherine L. Tully

Everybody in the business has one. Some writers have more than one. What am I talking about? Freelance Fears.

Am I being melodramatic? Not in the least. These fears can hold us back from reaching our goals. They constantly get in our way and interfere with success. Do you want to know what my number one freelance fear is? Read on… Continue reading What’s Your Worst Freelance Fear? →

advice, editorial

Get Those Queries Out There!

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“You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do.”   -Elanor Roosevelt

A big part of freelance writing is overcoming fear. Fear that you will be rejected. Fear that your writing may not be “good enough”. Fear that you won’t make any money. I could go on and on…

I’m sure you have your own version of that list. Every freelancer does. The key is to not let that list begin to control what you are doing with your freelance writing career. I love this quote by Elanor Roosevelt, because it encapsulates the idea of moving forward–beyond those things that intimidate or scare you. A writing forum that I frequent (Absolute Write) has a recurring thread in their ‘freelance’ section called Just Hit Send. This is what I’m talking about. Moving past the fear of sending things out and what may or may not happen afterwards.

So resolve to do something about that this week. Dust off a query you’ve been thinking about sending and get it out there. Polish an idea that has been floating around in your head and find a market to query. Do that thing that you think you cannot do….

You just might surprise yourself!