How to Deal With Writing Anxiety

Posted by Melissa on Thu, 06/02/2011 - 08:54

How To Deal With Your Writing Anxiety, by Melissa Foster 

 

You’ve written your first manuscript. Congratulations! You’ve just spent months working on the story you were sure would be an instant success, and now you’re ready to send it out to a few close friends. Suddenly the pit of your stomach feels as if it’s pulling downward, thoughts of failure race through your mind. What if the readers don’t like your characters? What if your story is boring, or written like a middle schooler? What if you’ve failed at writing the next bestseller? Relax, what you’re experiencing is quite normal. We authors call it writing anxiety.

Here are a few quick tips for pulling yourself out of the throws of anxiety and into a successful mindset.

Remember why you wrote in the first place. You had a story to tell, and you thought that story was strong enough that others would want to read it

Start close. Hand your story to people close to you first, those who will be gentle with their remarks.

Embrace criticism. We can only grow as writers by learning. As a new writer, you are likely to encounter some amount of criticism. Constructive criticism may lead to you being a stronger, more succinct/descriptive/compelling writer. Instead of fearing criticism, embrace it.

List your strengths and believe in them. Are you a great storyteller? Do you explain things well to others? Are you interesting? Are you funny? Find your strengths and hold onto them like a lifeline.

Writing anxiety is a normal part of a writer’s life. When I was writing Megan’s Way, I feared that the subject matter (a single mother with cancer), might be a turn off to parents. Instead, it has been embraced by readers, and offered them hope, enlightenment about relationships, and an enjoyable read. Chasing Amanda presented a different worry; Did I write from about each character in a way that would allow the reader to bond with them? Reviews tell me that I did.

Pushing past writer’s anxiety is as important as the act of writing. Believe in yourself. You can do this! If you’d like to chat about writing, I’d be happy to chat with you. Drop me an email thinkhappygirl (at) yahoo (dot) com.

Melissa Foster is the founder of the Women’s Nest, a social and support community for women. Melissa has written a column featured in Women Business Owners Magazine, and has painted and donated several murals to The Hospital for Sick Children in Washington, DC. Melissa is currently working on her next novel and collaborating with a director to create a script for Megan’s Way. Melissa’s interests include her family, reading, writing, painting, friends, and helping women see the positive side of life. Although Melissa lives with her family in Maryland she uses ever and anything as an excuse to visit one of her favorite spots: Cape Cod. Melissa blogs at http://melissafoster.com/blog/1 and tweets as @Melissa_Foster.

Article originally posted as a guest post for Beth Is Writing.

Comments

Anonymous on Wed, 03/07/2012 - 18:00

Thanks for this, Melissa. I

Thanks for this, Melissa. I get writers' anxiety way too often, but just remembering we all go through it makes it a little more bearable. Thanks for the great tips!

--Bonnie

Melissa on Wed, 02/08/2012 - 00:12

Hi Andrea, yes, always try to

Hi Andrea, yes, always try to push past the anxiety. That's easier for some than others. Great advice.

Anonymous on Wed, 02/01/2012 - 20:50

I'm a very anxious person.In

I'm a very anxious person.In my experience, when I' in a state of anxiety, I tend to think too negative of the public opinion in general. But then I ask my self Did I put my best into my writing? Yes. Are other writers not plagued by the same fears before putting their baby into public? They are.
I try to see myself as a part of a big community, we all are struggling with our art, after all writing always requires pouring a part of yourself into your story, too.
So my advice is, try to stay optimistic, to see things as they are. Brows amazon and you'll discover lots of indie writers, first time novelists, who most likely suffered the same fears as YOU, and you'll see there are a lot of four-star reviews for their works. It isn't as bad as you think it is while sitting alone in your living room, pondering over your story. If you did your best you'll be surprised by how positive people will react. This is an experience we undgero not only in writing but with a lot of other things in daily life, too. =)

Believe in yourself!

- Andrea Gray (@letterbowl)