“Go out into the world and run straight at whatever you fear the most.” – Kerr Cuhulain
I’m a pretty confident person if I do say so myself.
But just like everyone else, I have some things that scare me.
I’m not talking about my crippling ophidiophobia. I’m referring to my shyness-induced sensitivity to being criticised or mocked.
Before undertaking The Write Pact writing challenge, I recognised that I would open myself to endless opportunities for creativity, connection, and career growth. However, like any other professional project, I recognised that this comes with challenges and fears.
Generally, I go out of my way to ask for criticism from friends and loved ones as I know they have the best intentions. But with starting The Write Pact writing challenge, I knew that I would be opening myself up to being criticised by people I probably don’t know on the internet and that is an uncomfortable thought for me.
Whether you’re a seasoned writer or just starting, overcoming your fears is essential to thriving and succeeding in your career. So here are some of my biggest fears about writing online and how I plan to conquer them. I hope that you can learn a thing or two from them.
My Biggest Fears Are
1. Fear of Rejection
The writing community can be quite snobbish and elitist. One of my biggest fears, which I believe is common among writers, is the fear of rejection by the writing community and readers. The possibility of receiving a “no” can be daunting but I’m trying to constantly remind myself that rejection is a natural part of the writing (and learning) process. After all, even the most successful writers have faced rejection at some point in their careers. So, I plan to use any rejection I might get in the future as an opportunity to learn and improve. I also plan to seek feedback, revise my work, and keep publishing publicly. Persistence, they say, is key.
2. Fear of Criticism
Just a little below my fear of rejection on this journey is my fear of receiving negative feedback and criticism from readers, editors, and peers. Much like a beginner writer, I decided to go on this challenge to relearn to write well and explore the areas of my expertise and interest as a writer. But I’m scared of receiving the harsh criticism that many people on the internet have become accustomed to giving.
Anyway, I need to overcome this fear. And I plan to do this by viewing the constructive criticism that I’ll receive as a tool for growth. Of course, there might be unconstructive criticisms in the middle of it all. But I’ll try to focus on the feedback that will help me improve and let go of any unconstructive or hurtful comments. If you have this fear, you should remember that you can’t please everyone. And that’s okay…because you’re not Jollof rice after all.
3. Fear of Not Being Good Enough
Many writers struggle with imposter syndrome, doubting their skills and worthiness. Although I don’t doubt my skills, I sometimes don’t think that I am as skilled as I want to be. That’s why I created and started The Write Pact writing challenge to help me sharpen, and become better at, my craft.
To overcome this fear, I will constantly remind myself that self-doubt is common and doesn’t reflect my true abilities. As a result, I will celebrate my achievements, no matter how small, and keep practising my craft. Confidence grows with experience and continued effort so I plan on doing as much as I can every day to write and become a little better daily.
4. Fear of Running Out of Ideas
Often, writers worry about hitting a creative block and running out of fresh ideas. I foresee the possibility of this happening to me but I am trying to not be so scared of it because my curiosity has led me to explore great ideas in the past. As a result, I plan to keep exploring my curiosity and seeking inspiration from sources like books, conversations, nature, and everyday experiences. I have a handy notebook where I jot down ideas as they come. Also, I plan to practice brainstorming techniques that will help me to generate new ideas.
5. Fear of Technology
I consider myself to be quite tech-savvy and even I am sometimes intimidated by the rapid pace of technological advancements. However, I am currently taking the time to learn the tools and platforms I need for my writing and publishing my work online. Online tutorials, courses, and community support have been very helpful so far. My strategy to overcome this fear is to view technology as a way to enhance my productivity and reach.
6. Fear of No Audience
This is a fear that I’m sure I share with a good number of writers who often worry that their content will go unnoticed and not reach the intended audience. It may be irrational for some since my main purpose in embarking on my writing challenge is to write for my self-improvement. But really, getting the feedback of an audience is an important success metric. So, my content not reaching an engaging audience is a realistic fear. But, I plan to focus on building my audience gradually through publishing consistent, high-quality content, engaging with my readers on social media, and promoting my work through various channels. When it comes to growing an audience, I believe that patience and persistence will help me achieve that over time.
7. Fear of Time Management
Now, let’s talk about balancing writing with other responsibilities. Time management can be challenging, especially when you add caring for a toddler to the mix, leading to my fear of not having enough time to write. To manage this (because that’s the best I can do for now), I’m developing a writing schedule that works for you and stick to it. I’ll prioritise my writing tasks and break them into manageable chunks while using productivity techniques like the Pomodoro to stay focused and efficient.
8. Fear of Financial Instability
Occasionally, I’m reminded of the uncertainty of earning a stable income from writing in the long run and that can be daunting. But I’m quite confident in my ability to manage my finances. A major financial goal for me for the past couple of years has been to diversify my income streams by exploring different writing opportunities, such as freelancing, blogging, self-publishing, and offering writing services. Having a financial plan and budget to manage your income and expenses effectively can make a major difference. Try it.
9. Fear of Losing Passion
A fear I have which I think is common among creatives who decide to specialise is the fear that turning their passion into a career will lead to burnout and a loss of love for that craft. It’s no different for me. So, I plan to keep my passion for writing alive by writing about topics I love and taking breaks if I ever need to. I’ll continue to engage in activities that inspire me and remind me why I started writing in the first place. This way, I can balance my professional writing with personal projects that bring me joy.
Overall, I understand that overcoming these fears is an important part of the journey of a digital writer. So, I’ll be facing these challenges head-on and developing strategies to manage them. This way, I hope that I can build the confidence, resilience, and success that will be impactful in my writing career.
If you’re a creative who is new on their creative journey, remember that every creative faces fear, but it’s how you respond to them that makes the difference. Embrace your journey, keep creating, and believe in your ability to create impactful and meaningful projects.
Do you have any questions about learning to write better? Leave a comment below or DM me on Instagram!
