Why Are You Afraid to Write and not Writing?

If you think I’m writing to you — I am. Let’s address the 4 things you’re afraid of.

Photo by Guilherme Stecanella on Unsplash

Writing is something lots of people dream of doing.

While the process comes easier to some of us than to others — that doesn’t mean it doesn’t scare you.

I’ve known lots of would-be writers who are afraid to write for one reason or another. It might be fear of being seen, fear of failure, concern about the impression it can and will make on people, uncertainty, and other factors that stay their hand.

For all writers — would-be or active — being afraid is part and parcel of the act. The question is — do you let being afraid stop you or do you push through and past your fear?

There are several reasons why you might be afraid to write. They include fearing it won’t be any good; concern that you’ll cause people to think differently about you; fears of failure and success; self-worth, doubt, and other intangibles.

Let me assure you — you are utterly, totally, and complete not alone in this. Writers at every level — hell, artists of every kind at every level — go through this.

Why? Because what you create is deeply personal. Even if you share your creation — it’s a part of you being…