FACING OUR WRITING FEARS

by Judy Ann Davis

Writers like all people have fears and doubts. Maybe it's because of the creative process involved with writing, but maybe it’s because writers tend to be a little more passionate, a little more emotional, and a little more sensitive than most people.

Most of our anxieties and worries begin with the “What if. . .?” What if I can’t write the next chapter? What if I can’t finish this novel? What if I get writer’s block? What if I’m not able to edit the manuscript correctly? What if I’m not creative? What if my critique partner or group hates it? What if the readers don’t like it? What if I can’t get it published?

Amid all these distracting worries, depression takes hold, often preventing us from doing our best—and our biggest fear actually becomes self-fulfilling, and we do nothing.

How do we break the cycle?

ANALYZE -- First, ask yourself: Are my fears rational? How many of my past fears have come true? What was my biggest fear this time last week, last month, last year? What is the worst thing that can happen? The answers will help you put your fears in perspective.

PRIORITIZE -- If you decide your fears are grounded, the worst thing you can do is worry. Worry is negative believing and leads to paralysis. Instead, devise a plan. Make it active and positive. Decide what steps need to be taken and the order in which you need to take them. Remember, the one sure cure for writer’s block is sitting down in front of the computer and starting to type. Write anything. Just start. Put some sentences or thoughts swirling around in your head on paper. Or start typing: "The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog" over and over again. I guarantee you’ll start writing something different and better after a few short rounds of that boring maneuver.

VISUALIZE -- To turn your plan into reality spend a few minutes each day visualizing success. See yourself completing that project or manuscript. Imagine everyone’s pleased reaction. Imagine your pleased reaction. And think about the pride you’ll feel and rewards you’ll reap.

Remember, fear will never go away as long as we continue to grow. The only way to get rid of fear and to feel better about ourselves is to go out and do whatever we fear. After all, pushing through our fear is less frightening than living with the underlying fear that comes from a feeling of helplessness.  

 This month I'm featuring:  WILLIE, MY LOVE 

A historical romantic mystery 

and finalistin the American Fiction Awards

and the National Excellence in Storytelling (NEST Awards).

 

WRITING CAN BE STRESSFUL

by Judy Ann Davis

There are only two options:
Make progress or make excuses.
—Anonymous

Have you ever felt overwhelmed with the projects you’ve planned for yourself?

Although I often find writing to be fun, it can also be stressful. I’ve been working diligently, trying to update the covers and formats for three novels in Ashmore Brothers series which are historical western romances, each with a mystery. I now want the three stand-alone books to be more consistent and appear like part of a collection.

The process has turned out to be more hours and days—and more intensive work—than anticipated. Covers have to be created with the help of an artist. The stories need to be lightly edited again for grammar, and then proofread with back information and links updated. Headings, margins, page numbers, and chapters, all have to be replicated in the same font and format.  Lastly, everything will need to be uploaded.

The funny thing about a labor intensive project is the yearning to step away and find some calmness and rest. But then, I sit in the sunshine and ponder about parts of the inside text that need more tweaking—and have the urge to get up and make the changes before I forget.

There’s a phrase by Gustave Flaubert (1821-1880), French author of Madame Bovary: "I am irritated by my own writing. I am like a violinist whose ear is true, but whose fingers refuse to reproduce precisely the sound he hears within."

 

I’ve come to the conclusion, if a prolific writer over 160 years ago felt he was stumbling through the writing process, I have to just hang in, taking the process one step at a time.

But honestly, I feel like I’m climbing stairs instead of taking the journey on flat ground.

Have you confronted a project which seemed overwhelming? Hints and suggestions are welcome. 

VISIT MY AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE FOR ALL MY BOOKS 

 

SUMMER ON MY SWING: Pondering Answers

by Judy Ann Davis

“Hot July brings cooling showers, apricots and gillyflowers.” - Sara Coleridge

I admit as a writer I enjoy time alone to sit and think which is why I like July, why I like summer. My patio swing calls me to rest, enjoy the warm days or balmy nights, and ponder the world. It’s said curiosity is instrumental in driving our thought processes. It’s when I’m wrapped in that solitude when I ask questions which may or may not have answers: 

• Why can’t we see the wind? 
• How does the song sparrow learn its many different songs?
• Do woodpeckers get headaches? 
  
• What do northern squirrels think when they eat their first southern peanut from my bird feeder? Can they have an allergy to them? 
• Fireflies flash in patterns that are unique to each species. Have they ever learned another pattern like we learn second languages? 
• Why was the daisy chosen to be the flower plucked with the chant: He loves me, he loves me not?

 And my weird wondering brain chugs along…

Maybe in our attempt to explain things in nature, we need to accept there are mysteries which may never have explanations. As humans, we like explanations. We like plans. We like the predictable.

And, we like to ponder.

After all, isn’t that what creativity really is? The use of our imaginations or original ideas in the production of an artistic work?

So I leave you with this July wish: Take time to rest, relax, and contemplate the world around you. And if you get a bizarre or curious thought, drop it in the comment box below so we all can ponder the answer!

 

Visit my AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE to see all my books.