Comments on: 5 Ways to Overcome Fear of Success for Writers

By: LK Watts

LK Watts — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 16:59:16 +0000

I can’t remember who said this: ‘Feel the fear, but do it anyway.’

I always think of this whenever I’m scared of doing something.

By: Bonnie

Bonnie — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 05:03:58 +0000

I don’t know whether I fear failure or success. I know that I wonder if I’m faking the whole thing. I’m afraid that I’m not a writer, I just play one on the internet. But if I write things people want to read and if I get paid to write them, I guess that makes me a real writer, doesn’t it? Even if I’m not doing book signings in New York or selling pieces to major markets or getting rich and famous? Who am I kidding? Any day now somebody’s going to pull the curtain aside and expose the fraud. Where did I ever get the idea…

By: Bailish

Bailish — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 04:08:30 +0000

Loved your post. For me, I always think of writing as a job that I have to do, like brushing my teeth. If I don’t do it, then I feel incomplete.

By: Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen

Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 17:43:15 +0000

Thanks for your comment! I see why you think comments on this post may not be read…I’ve neglected to respond to the comments that readers left. My bad.

“year and a half late for this blog”, I wrote this article for you:

Overwhelmed by the Thought of Selling Your Writing? Help is Here

I hope it helps, and welcome your thoughts there or here.

Everyone else who commented — thanks! I appreciate your tips on how to overcome fear of success for writers.

Blessings,
Laurie

By: year and a half late for this blog

year and a half late for this blog — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 12:06:01 +0000

Your article and supplemental book suggestions are inspirational. Wish I knew exactly what I fear. I think it has a lot to do with my inner life needing calm and quiet and a very slow pace—like a prayerful monk. The thought of all the details I must be sure to cover in this hypertechno age of social media in order to sell my work wholly overwhelms me and paralyzes me. I write. I have two books published. A third is completed but has some plot holes to be repaired and other polishing. A fourth is being fleshed out currently. However, the amount of time and energy to market in this climate sucks the life out of me. I have only two months a year I can write. Perhaps another issue is the “comparing mind” of knowing my stories are good, I write great sentences, I have had fabulous feedback from readers…but I don’t feel like I’m good enough, compelling enough… I want to be a better writer—that is what I work on. But I don’t want to write in obscurity—I am a storyteller who naturally wants people to read and enjoy my work but I can’t seem to find the best and most effective bridge for that. So part of what I fear is getting a ball rolling into marketing and attempting to do all the social media engagement and not being able to follow through because ten months out of the year I am 100% teaching a very heavy load and have nothing for writing let alone marketing… Even now I’m rambling on because I’m sure no one is reading this anyway since it’s a year and a half old…I was compelled to write, am compelled to write…but otherwise I retreat to my garden.

On the outside chance someone does read this and has some kind of simple, step by step, hand-holding, practical things to do to chip away at getting across this chasm, I welcome the thoughts. If anyone knows of an agent looking for a novelist who wholly prefers to stay out of his/her way in the process of marketing and public relations, and would love to work with someone who is interesting, low key, talented, creatively energetic (just not politically extroverted) and who will love to go to book signings, speaking engagements, and all that but can’t do it herself, please please let me know!

By: Steve

Steve — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 01:27:53 +0000

Hi Laurie:

All 5 are important, especially %5.

Never be envious of other writers. Focus on your marketing, work, etc.

One of my favorite quotes is from Herschel Walker: “Run the race against yourself.”

‘Nuf said!

Sincerely,

Steve

By: Fear of Failure or Fear of Success?

Fear of Failure or Fear of Success? — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 13:56:16 +0000

You have to fail, you would fail, it is always piece of the building process, part of the way in which we mankind learn, and the only method we basically learn. Failure is definitely accomplishing something the wrong method. We may come with nine variables right nevertheless the 10th inappropriate resulting in our plan failing. Using this method you can overcome the fear of failure.

By: Words on a page » Blog Archive » A few links for the end of week - A blog about writing, in its various forms

Fri, 02 Apr 2010 11:43:21 +0000

[...] A few ways to overcome your fear of success [...]

By: Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen

Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 15:02:32 +0000

Thanks for your comments….I think fear is very real for many writers. Fear of rejection, of judgement, of criticism, of not being good enough, of succeeding, of failing…so many possibilities! And, different writers have different fears.

Anyway, I hope this article helps you overcome all fears of writing success, and spurs you to become a successful writer — beyond your wildest dreams!

Laurie
.-= Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen´s last blog post ..6 Ways to Keep Your Blog High in Google’s Search Engine Results =-.

By: Fear of Success?

Fear of Success? — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 17:32:34 +0000

I ran across your post and I have to say “Wow!” Its like you read my mind. I have been battling this issue with my own writing for many years. Its something I deal with on a daily basis and at times becomes very scary.

Thank you for posting this…its not a wake up call but a confirmation that I am not alone.