As you probably noticed, in this post’s title, I put “overcoming” in quotation marks. Why? Because I think this idea of overcoming fear is not actually that helpful. I think this notion causes us to redirect our energy. Not to sound like a downer, but I don’t believe that you can really overcome fear, that at some point you will become so amazing at something that the fear will disappear. I would go even further and argue that an absence of fear is not a good sign but a bad one. It means you are not pushing yourself, you are not trying something new, you are not on a steep enough learning curve, whatever you’re doing is not close enough to your heart.
Honestly, I was afraid to start my newsletter. But here we are. I’m afraid every Friday before I click the send button and after I click the send button. But I still click it. Because the fear is a reminder that what I’m doing matters deeply to me. Embracing this kind of fear, rather than conquering it, has become a daily goal for me. It signifies that I’m pushing boundaries and pursuing work that genuinely resonates with me.
You’re reading my posts because you also hold writing close to your heart. Which probably means you also experience your fair share of fear. I’ve discovered the most helpful strategy for me has been to not try to get rid of the fear—it will always be there in some shape or form—but to figure out how to move with it. Your fear is your dancing partner. Where your fear leads, perhaps you should follow. Where you go, fear will follow. It follows you as you explore the depths of your creativity and often leads you to places you might not venture otherwise. Around and around you and your fear go. I challenge you to not think of this as a bad thing.
But how?
We could discuss the how of it forever, so instead I want to direct you to a book about it. For those looking to delve deeper into this relationship with fear and creativity, I highly recommend reading Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert. This book reshapes the dialogue around creativity and fear, transforming it from an enemy to an ally. I’ve pulled so many points from this book into both my daily life and my writing, some of which became affirmations and some of which became themes in my YA fantasy saga. Inspiration is everywhere, but this book is one of the largest doses I’ve ever found.
In the spirit of embracing our fears, here are a few more thoughts to carry into your writing and beyond:
Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the conviction that something is more important than fear. — Ambrose Redmoon
The best way out is always through. — Robert Frost
If today’s topic struck a chord with you, you might find my workbook Finding Your Own Writing Motivation particularly useful, as fear and motivation are often intertwined. The workbook designed to help you harness your fears as well as your dreams and turn them into powerful motivators. Get your copy today and discover new strategies to keep your writing passion burning bright, even on the tough days.
Join the Author’s Atlas for More Insights
Subscribe here and get your free copy of our writing workbook Penning Your Novel: The Essential Pillars of Storytelling.