A Writer's Edge

WRITING, EDITING, GHOSTWRITING

My Photo
Name: Georganna Hancock
Location: San Diego, California, United States

About.....Blog.....Writing Help.....Editing.....Writing Services.....Resume.....ID & Credits.....Subscribe


Search the web Search A Writer's Edge

Thursday, August 23, 2007

Overcoming Writing Anxiety

Fear of writing can attack fiction and nonfiction writersAnxiety about writing: feeling tense as you approach or sit at the keyboard, a gripping sensation deep in your gut, shoulders creep up to your ears, paralyzed thought processes. Sounds a lot like a form of Writer's Block, no? It can be, and it can strike both fiction and nonfiction writers at any time. Seldom is the cause the writing process or tools you use (unless you have a weird phobia), although the subject or topic you're attempting to write about may cause such fear. A lot of tension can surround a writer's first love scene or sexual encounter (in the writing, not the writer's life).

New writers commonly are so afraid of experiencing rejection (which we all do) that they can't get to the submission gate. A way out of this is to realistically think about "What's the worst that could happen?" The worst is that you'll get a slip of paper in the mail, or an email, that says, "No thanks." Working writers may feel nervous over their earnings. Some of us never overcome performance anxiety, hesitating to make that first mark on a blank page or entry box, but it does remind us we're ALIVE!

Whatever is making you anxious about writing, some practices that can help include using affirmations about yourself (tape a big one on your monitor if necessary), relaxation exercises, giving yourself permission to fail or to write just anything not for publication for a set period. In the case of money problems, it is acceptable to take a break and get a day job or work part-time doing something else to earn income for a while. Sometimes we just simply need a break from writing.

Labels: , ,

AddThis Social Bookmark Button

2 Comments:

Blogger DangerousBill said...

When I feel 'blocked' (I prefer 'inspiration-challenged'), I find some passages from my favorite authors. I sit down a the keyboard and copy them, word for word. In doing this, I notice details of style, word choice, and characterization that I would miss if I merely read the material. I'm a sort of vampire of writing style. Eventually, my internal genie gets bored of this, and starts creating again, sometimes after only a few minutes.

2:44 PM  
Blogger Georganna Hancock said...

Interesting suggestion, Bill. I've never done anything like this, but I think I'll give it a whirl. Thanks for stopping by and leaving your comment.

8:29 AM  

Post a Comment

<< Home



Powered by FeedBlitz

<--/div>
NEWEST LINKS

Yahoo! Answers
About Us
OEDB
Blogged
Bloggapedia

RECIPROCITY

Psybertron
Bread and Roses
Shrinking Violet
Damian's Blog
Thought Patterns
Outpost Mavarin
Still Unhinged
Twerpette
Ballpoint Wren
The Writing Show
Media by Sistrunk
River Tyde
Mark Leslie's Blog
At Home, Writing
Pop Culture Casualty
Kate blogs about writing
Dangerous Bill's
Incurable Disease ...
Education by Sistrunk
Messages from Mavarin
Write Outta My Mind!
Writer's Words/Ed.'s Eye
The Writing Life
I Breathe; Therefore...
the way I see it
Horizons Past
Web Writers Cafe
Spirit Moved Me Again
The Hermit
Ain't Nothin' Like ...
The Write Life
Coffee and Critique
Writing Thoughts
Elvis, Elves and ...
A Newbie's Guide ...
Leftbrainwrite
Writer's Perspective
Words on The Page
The Opinions
Yunar's Online Venture
worlds that never were
Web Writers Cafe
Confessions ... Writer
Howling in Silence
bluemango
The Writer's Perspective
Circuit Mouse
Blue Ribbon Bloggers
Speedcat Hollydale
Paradise Valley 2...
1writeway
The Night Country
Beth and Writing
B.Burcroff
The Freelance Zone
Struggling Writer
Jack Mandora
Editor Unleashed
Midwest Book Review
Day by Day Writer
Spunk on a Stick

Original Blue Ribbon Blogger Blogcritics: news and reviews

Performancing Metrics

Lockergnome

Visit LAMPhost.NET for great web hosting

LAMPhost.net

Powered by Blogger