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How Writers Can Overcome Fear with One Word

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Writers overcome their fears when they do one thing: Begin

My daughter grips the handle bars of her new bike — the kind without training wheels. With consternation and dread, she stands motionless on the sidewalk while the other kids ride their bicycles up and down our street.

Fear holds her back.

“Explain it to me again,” she asks.

But we’ve already given explanations and demonstrations. We’ve even promised to run beside her and hold her bike upright. It’s time for her to pedal. No one can do this for her.

When it comes to riding a bike, we learn by doing.

It’s the same with writing too.

We can observe great writing in others. We can listen to good advice about the craft. We can accumulate lists of dos and don’ts. But until we push a pen across paper, we’re merely gathering information.

We learn to write by writing. This sounds simple enough. But our fears paralyze us. Only it’s not a scraped knee we’re worried about.

We’re afraid of looking foolish.
We’re afraid of using incorrect grammar.

We’re afraid our work will bore readers.
We’re afraid our work won’t have any readers.

We’re afraid we’ll be misunderstood.
We’re afraid we’ll be understood but not liked.

These fears have one thing in common: They might come true.

But we’ll never know unless we begin.

We may think our words don’t mean much. But our words matter. Our stories matter. And a writer must be faithful in the telling. Maya Angelou once said:

“There is no greater agony
than bearing an untold story inside you.”

Are you carrying an untold story?

Would your story bless someone else?

Is fear holding you back?

 

If we could meet in a café and talk about writing, I’d tell you this:

 

  • Never let the fear of incorrect grammar hinder you from expressing your ideas. Yes, good grammar is important, but it’s reserved for the later stages of editing. For now, just write.
  • Let the writing flow from the deepest places inside you. Reveal the real you. Readers connect with humanity, not perfection.
  • Embrace the process as much as the final product. Through the act of writing, we acquire a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us. Take your readers on this journey with you.
  • Allow yourself to “fail,” and view each “failure” as a chance to grow and learn. No one ever achieves mastery on a first try. And if they did, no one else would be able to relate.
  • Keep writing. There’s mystery in momentum. Once we begin, we can usually find the next step, even when we’ve yet to uncover the final destination.

How Writers Can Overcome Fear: BEGIN

When it comes to writing, we’re halfway finished the moment we begin. Because getting started is the hardest part. It requires pushing past the fear.

My daughter discovers this same truth when she finally starts to pedal. At first, her slowness of speed threatens to topple her balance. So she has two choices. Either pedal faster. Or quit.

She soon hears the neighbors cheer.

“Keep going! You can do it!”

With her fears hanging on the verge of fruition, she leans forward and pedals faster. The momentum begins to work in her favor, and she feels the rush of wind against her cheeks. Shrieks of wild delight can be heard around the cul-de-sac.

I’m left standing in the street, breathless and panting and smiling at another milestone marked.

Will she ever fall and get hurt?

She might. But we remove the might — the power — from fear when we stop worrying about what might happen.

Will our words ever meet with disappointment?

They might. But they might also bring sheer bliss as we lean forward with fingers flying across keys.

Fear loses its stranglehold when writers refuse to let hypothetical scenarios dictate their destiny.

Writers can overcome the manacles of “maybe” and “might” when they choose to do one thing: Begin.

 

Do you have an untold story inside you?

What fears are preventing you from writing?

 

TWEETABLES:

“When it comes to writing, we’re halfway done the moment we begin.”  <Tweet this!>

“We remove the might—the power—from fear when we stop worrying about what ‘might’ happen.”  <Tweet this!>

“Writers overcome the manacles of ‘maybe’ and ‘might’ when they do one thing: Begin.”  <Tweet this!>

 

Ready to push past fear and begin writing?

Practical writing tips on how to get started are
HERE and HERE.

 

Comments

  1. I loved reading this post Denise. “Fear loses its stranglehold when writers refuse to let hypothetical scenarios dictate their destiny.’ especially stood out to me because I’ve known times when I allow all sorts of scenarios run through my mind that limits me to be vulnerable while writing. But it’s worth pushing that button “post” because we’re glorifying God – it is He who put the desire in our heart to write, so we can give that gift back to Him! Thanks for sharing your writing today!

    • When we commit our words to glorifying God, I think the enemy of our souls tries all the harder to discourage us with fear.

      Yet, God is pleased when we trust Him with our words, regardless of any potential “earthly scenario.” 🙂

  2. Thank you for this Denise. Beginning is the hardest part by far. I have stopped myself so many times for fear of judgment or sounding foolish as you mentioned. Your post has encouraged me to push past this fear. I am reminded that inevitably, it is Satan trying to stop God’s word and love from being spread. I need to learn to be fearless, instead of fearful. Thanks so much for this blessing this morning!

    • As writers, I think we’re familiar with fear. To press through the fear takes courage. Indeed, true courage is the choice to act in spite of fear.

      I pray the words God has placed on your heart will pour onto the page.

  3. This is a great post! Yes, half the battle is sitting down and starting. Pressing publish for me can also be like peddling the bike. You never know what is going to happen, but it is freeing to walk (or peddle) in what God is calling me to do.

    Thanks for writing this.

  4. Thankyou again Denise for your encouraging, motivating & inspiring words to get us going! I AM THE WORST! I’ve been in this place of fear too long! I have your books on my laptop, I copy your posts! What is wrong with me! Beth used a term I so can relate to; stranglehold! That’s what it feels like! Today I declare “Enough is Enough!”

  5. My heart is pounding after reading this,because ALL of my literary fears are listed! But,you know what? I think that just might mean I’m a writer after all 🙂

    • Yes, Christie, you ARE a writer! Sometimes the very thing we’re most afraid of doing is the one thing we’re supposed to do. Then God gets all the glory because it’s only by His strength we can accomplish that which He has set us apart to do. 🙂

  6. “When it comes to writing, we’re halfway finished the moment we begin.” This is a brilliant quote, Denise, and it reminds me of this quotation by Goethe: “Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it!” Many have writing dreams, but they’re fearful of realizing them. But if we can face the fear, head-on, by beginning to write with boldness, we’ll push through it, the momentum having begun. Thank you for teaching people to face the fear of the blank page and pristine screen. There is something sacred about the act of writing for God, and it’s no wonder people are filled with fear. We have an Enemy who’d like nothing better to shackle our hearts in those menacing manacles to which you refer. But we don’t have to cave in! Thank you so much for this wonderful, empowering post!

    Lynn

    • Lynn, you are so right: “We have an Enemy who’d like nothing better to shackle our hearts…”

      And yet, our God is greater. Greater than our fears. Greater than our dreams. 🙂

      To God be all the glory!

  7. Such bold, beautiful, life-giving encouragement here…and I believe it with all my heart…over half the battle is just to quiet my mind and begin. Thank you, thank you for your wise and loving words, nudging us to share our words … our very lives with the world! xo

  8. It’s so true… “We’re half way done the minute we begin.” Any chance you’re at SheSpeaks?

    • Hi, Heather! Oh my goodness, are you at She Speaks this year? I would so love the chance to meet in person. I attended She Speaks last year and loved it, but I’m afraid I’m not there this time around. Let me know how it goes!

  10. Awesome post and story of your daughter beginning to gain wisdom of this world. I like the analogy of the momentum, made me think of running; the act of controlled falling forward. Our Father didn’t born us with the spirit of timidity, but of strength. Thanks for the reminder. I’ve never been too fearful of failing… only not doing…

    Thank you, and thanks to Lynn for the link.

  12. This article is excellent. I shared it on my site as well. One correction is in order, though. You’ve confused pedal with peddle.

  13. So good. I am a new blogger and have often gotten “stuck” in fear of what is ahead. Thank you for your encouragement and words of wisdom.

Trackbacks

  2. […] How Writers Can Overcome Fear with One Word (Allume) – From the article: “When it comes to writing, we’re halfway finished the moment we begin.” And you could replace the word “writing” with just about any other action – work-related or not and get the same outcome. […]

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