Are you a fearful writer? Do you get to your desk and tense up? Do you check email, answer the phone, or do other superfluous tasks when you get to work?
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you probably don’t feel comfortable writing. And one of the reasons you don’t feel comfortable writing is because you are not an authentic writer.
Many writers are very complicated and insecure. They are fearful and don’t want to try new things. In addition, when it’s time to write, they simply cannot get to work and do what they set out to do.
Some writers can’t plan their writing projects properly. But others simply freeze when it’s time to write. This negative attitude can lead to a lot of stifled creativity and the writer will have very little to show for it at the end of the day.
Here are a few tips to help you become an authentic writer:
* Be yourself when you sit down to write. Don’t worry about how someone else is doing and don’t compare yourself to other writers. Remember – each writer is unique. When you sit down to write, create your own writing persona.
* Try a centering exercise before starting to write. Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths. Focus on something pleasant for a few minutes. Take a few more deep breaths and get back to the present. Then start writing.
* Don’t let fear paralyze you. Instead, come to your writing desk with joy. Don’t worry about output. That will take care of itself once you relax. Just focus on your daily writing goals and complete each day’s writing to the best of your ability.
* Make your office a warm and inviting place, which is uniquely your own. If possible, keep access to the Internet away from your writing space. This way you will be undistracted and able to remain committed to your writing for the allotted time. The same thing holds for the phone. Leave it out of your office. Have a cordless phone that you can put in another room and only use it when you have finished writing.
As you can see, it is easy to take steps to become an authentic, happy, and fulfilled writer. All you have to do is enjoy your writing time and get some writing done.
Which steps will you take this week to become a more authentic writer?
For more tips about authentic writing, please visit my website at http://irenesroth.wordpress.com.
I think I’m a fearful writer. I tend to procrastinate before get focused on writing.
Carol Fraser hagen recently posted..Tent Reading – Multi- Sensory Reading Activity
[...] week is all about becoming an authentic writer! Be sure to read this week’s Topic Tuesday post and leave a [...]
I am a fearful writer. I tend to lack confidence in my writing.
Hi Carol,
I think most of us are fearful writers at first. However, please know that you are not powerless to become much less fearful. It takes a bit of reflection and practise at first, but you can do this. If I can anyone can.
I will be presenting a teleclass on this topic this week and a facebook chat on friday. Please plan to attend for tips on how to become more authentic.
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Take care,
Irene
Irene Roth recently posted..What is an Authentic Writer?
Hi Anne,
The fact that you are aware that you are a fearful writer is an important first step to overcoming fear and becoming a more authentic writer.
I will be presenting a teleclass on this topic this week and a facebook chat on friday. Please plan to attend for tips on how to become more authentic.
Take care,
Irene
Irene Roth recently posted..What is an Authentic Writer?
Hmmm … I have often found that I can write almost 10,000 a day on the “art of procrastination” rather than write my WIP …
It’s “easy” to write things “for my eyes only” but once I begin to think this is something someone I know might read one day … I let the inner critic take over and stifle me.
Maybe I need to psych-out the inner critic, pretend I am writing just to entertain myself and then one day when it is all finished pretend to muse for the first time, “maybe I could think about letting someone else look at this and if they like it maaaaaaaay…beeee… I could think about trying to publish it. Eh, I dunno, though … I better go procrastinate some more by going to the library to find a baby names book so I can spend a month or two trying to make up a good pseudonym to publish it under … okay, that’s the plan. Off to go make up a name. Yeah.”
Hey, Sue,
Gee. Sounds like you have procrastination down to an art form. Now…if only you could figure out how to make a living from it.
Just kidding! Put that baby names book away and get back to writing!
Interesting post. I think I’m a fearful writer when I’m writing using my own byline. I don’t feel as tense or insecure as when I’m ghostwriting, probably because I feel safe in knowing that my name won’t be on the piece. I guess it’s a matter of building confidence in yourself as a writer, especially when you’re new. This kind of confidence only comes with experience.
Anna Sibal recently posted..There’s Nothing New Under the Sun
Hi, Anna,
Good point. It can be scary when your name is on you work. Yet, most writers dream for the day when they can see their own byline, so go figure.
Happy writing and thanks for dropping by!