Keys to Overcoming the Writer’s Fear of Failure
By Jeanne Dininni
Expectations, Expectations!
When you take on a writing assignment for a new client or begin a new
contract-writing job for a company you haven't worked with before, do you
sometimes feel the way the new hire in the cartoon who’s being handed his
welcome packet and termination packet at the same time must feel? Do you feel as
if you're under pressure to perform, to shine, to live up to the client's (no
doubt considerable) expectations for the piece or project you've signed on to?
Though this feeling is very common, it does, thankfully, tend to decrease
somewhat with time and experience. Yet, when it does strike, it can be
very debilitating and not at all helpful to a writer's creativity.
From Triumph to Trepidation in 30 Seconds
When we're offered a writing assignment that we've taken the time, energy, and
effort to pursue, the feeling can be exhilarating. Yet, often as not, that
wonderful feeling of excitement and triumph over the accomplishment of
successfully marketing ourselves and our writing skills immediately gives way to
panic, as we suddenly realize that getting the assignment is only the
beginning-- that now we actually have to deliver the goods. That can
be a frightening thought!
The Vulnerability of the Writer's Psyche
As writers, our work is tied in to our egos in a way that many other lines of
work are not, because our writing represents us and it comes from
within. To a great extent, we often feel that our personal value is
tied up in our ability to write things that others will read, accept, enjoy, and
gladly pay us for, which can place us in a very vulnerable position emotionally.
It doesn't really matter what kind of writing we do-- from short stories or
novels, to article-writing, copywriting, SEO writing, or blogging-- the effect
is still the same. (Ghostwriting is one type in which this vulnerability may be
slightly less potent, since no one but the client will know who wrote the piece.
Yet, even then we can feel that twinge of fear that reminds us that
perhaps the client won't think our creation worthy.)
What's a Writer to Do?
What can we do to overcome these debilitating emotions and help ourselves do the
best job we can on every piece of writing we do-- without turning into nervous
wrecks?
Here are a few tips that might just help you the next time you're faced with
these feelings:
1. Give yourself a pat on the back.
You got the assignment, contract, or project. That means the client believes in
your ability to deliver a suitable and well-written finished product. It also
says something about you: You were able to present yourself and your
writing talents well enough-- and likely in writing-- to give the client
confidence in you. This does represent a victory, so savor it. You
have every right to. Don't spoil it by second-guessing your own ability to
follow through on the promises made in your sales pitch. It's true that you have
a great deal of work ahead of you, but that's only because you got the
assignment!
2. Maintain confidence in your own ability.
You believed you could do the job when you applied for the assignment or
contract. Don't let your faith in your writing ability waver now that the client
agrees with you. Though you admittedly have a great responsibility ahead of you,
you are a writer... this is what you do! Don't give in to doubt and fear.
It's okay if a little fear is there; it can help motivate you for action. Just
don't let it get out of hand, and determine to move forward and through
it. A touch of doubt is acceptable, too, because it can help keep you humble,
reminding you that, though you may be a good writer, you aren't the only
good writer, and you were fortunate to receive this assignment. Again, don't let
doubt get the better of you, though; instead, move beyond it.
3. Cheer yourself on.
Give yourself a pep talk. Remind yourself of all that you've accomplished in the
past. Even if this is your first paid writing gig, you'll have some past (albeit
unpaid) writing successes to remember-- particularly if you're a blogger. Think
about your natural skill set, and mentally list the traits that make you
particularly suited for this job. Are you analytical, creative,
research-oriented, prolific, expressive, or engaging? This list will help
prepare you for the project by reminding you of all that you have to offer,
fueling your imagination, and motivating you for the task ahead. It will help
get your mind off your doubts and fears and on the project,
allowing you to focus your energies on developing a creative method for
completing it.
4. Use your prep work to enter fully into your project.
Brainstorm, research, outline, visualize-- in short, do whatever it takes to
prepare yourself for the actual writing. Ponder your possible topic, angle,
mood, tone, style, approach-- all the things that will determine the form and
direction of your piece. Seek inspiration anywhere you can find it. Search
Google for ideas on what others have done with this topic. Visit blogs, article
directories, or other websites with similar content. Look in books, magazines,
or newspapers-- either on- or off-line-- and see what clicks. But remember that
the important thing is that you fully enter into your project, that it
engrosses all your mental faculties, including your imagination. You'll then
have a firm foundation on which to create a real work of art-- in
whatever field, genre, or writing niche you may be targeting.
5. Jump right in…begin to write…and get in "the Zone."
If possible, tackle the project while motivation is high-- in other words,
soon after your pep talk. (There will, of course, be times when you'll be
required, as a freelancer, to write whether you feel motivated or not; though
even during those times, a positive attitude will go a long way toward
building motivation for your required writing task.) The key here is to just
get started. Once you've done your research, planning, organizing,
outlining, brainstorming, or visualizing, it's time to get to work turning those
raw materials into the beautiful piece of writing you know you can create. Often
simply starting to write will begin creating a magic we couldn't have
anticipated before we began. It helps to get us in "the Zone"-- that
creative place where nearly anything becomes possible.
6. Trust your instincts, and then craft the best piece you can.
Always do your best work-- no matter how big or small the project or the client.
Even when ghostwriting, always keep the quality of your work high. After all,
though your ghost-written piece may not represent you to the world, it
represents you to your client-- and even more importantly, it
represents your client to the world. If you're interested in a return
engagement with this client, always make him or her look fantastic!
Instinct will tell you when you may be straying off the mark-- and these
instincts will grow and develop with time, practice, and experience. Always
listen to the little inner voice that tells you something isn't right in your
approach, because first instincts often turn out to be correct. (This doesn't
mean you should listen to the voice that tries to tell you that you
aren't good enough. That voice is counter-productive. It will never help
you reach your writing goals and should always be ignored.) Create the best
piece of writing you can, and then submit it to your client with confidence--
and before deadline! (If asked for revisions, remember to always do them
cheerfully.)
By following the above advice, you should have little trouble with the kind of
feelings our friend in the cartoon faces-- because, for the writer, such
feelings generally arise from insecurity, rather than reality.
-
This article is adapted from a post published on the Writer’s Notes blog on
February 26, 2008:
http://www.writersnotes.net/keys-to-overcoming-the-writers-fear-of-failure/
. (Note: the cartoon mentioned above appears in this post.)
Jeanne Dininni is a freelance writer whose works currently appear in
numerous different venues, both in print and online. She also writes business
guides at
Work.com and authors the
Writer’s Notes blog, which offers information, inspiration, encouragement,
and resources to writers to help them succeed in their craft.
