How I Reached “The End”

Fear paralyzed me. Fear that I wasn’t smart enough or talented enough. What if no one read what I wrote, or worse, they didn’t like it? My doubts were relentless, keeping me from finishing much of anything.

I was afraid of failing.

And so, I kept changing the stories’ plots and characters. I rewrote the first few chapters until I grew so tired of them. I chucked the story into the reject drawer of my desk. Then, I moved on to the next idea or took an extended break from writing.

I felt hopeless.

I felt so let down that I quit writing.

If you’ve felt that way, know this: you’re not alone. Many writers have faced that same inner critic. But here’s the truth I discovered through my journey. If it’s that important to you, you learn to write through it.

Hope conquered my fears.

For me, the ideas kept coming, and I never forgot my dream of being a published writer.

And today, I’m a happy, successful, published author.

How did I achieve this when FEAR had held me back for so long? Here are three things that helped me.

I gave myself permission to write badly.

I still struggle with this one, and I have to fight the urge to have a perfect first draft. Perfectionism is my biggest enemy.

First drafts are meant to be messy, chaotic, and often embarrassing—but the best thing about them is they exist. Every word written is progress. I needed to realize this fundamental truth and accept my imperfect first drafts.

I built a routine and a support system.

Writing can be a lonely career, but it doesn’t have to be. Sometime in 2007 (I think), I joined a writer’s group. It was a game-changer for me.

I took classes and attended workshops where I shared my stories. I received feedback that was essential to learning the craft of writing. I met writers just like me who were struggling, but also encouraging each other to keep writing. It was exactly what I needed. I joined write-ins and set a schedule that I mostly kept to.

Joining a writing group, sharing my drafts, and setting a schedule helped me stay accountable and motivated.

If you took my writing life and put it into a bar graph, you’d see the pattern. The times I wrote a lot, I was attending a lot of write-ins. When I didn’t write much, it was because I didn’t go to those write-ins.

I had to get over my fear of critique and rejection.

I used to be nervous sharing my work, and still am, but I try not to let it stop me. Receiving feedback on my writing helped me to learn the art and craft of writing a story. I had to re-frame my thinking, so I accepted the critique. Each one taught me something invaluable.

Giving feedback can also be a great way to learn how to accept it in return.

When giving feedback, I focus on the plot, the action, the dialogue, and the character development. Did something take you out of the story?

It’s not easy listening to feedback. I’ve been upset plenty of times about something a fellow writer said about my writing. In the end, if I really thought about it. I saw what they were saying. Many times, I ended up agreeing with them.

I Didn’t Give up!

When I published my first book, Angie & Bear Pray For A Puppy, I had to push through fear. I also had to overcome doubt. I thought I was done with them. Yet, I still struggle, but they no longer control me.

And I’m set to publish my second children’s picture book. I’ll share more about that in upcoming posts.

My story mattered. Yours does too! Start writing today. Be imperfect, fearless, and relentless.