If you ever thought that English majors cannot possibly get anxious about the writing process, then allow me to blow your mind. Yes, you heard me! I, a language and literature major at the University of North Carolina Asheville, struggle with a wretched case of writing anxiety. I love to write, but, at the same time, getting my words put into print -- especially on an online platform like The Odyssey -- is absolutely terrifying for me.
Let's face it. There's something intimidating about knowing the words you publish will be immortalized in a way. Pair that up with the fact that, as a writer, you are constantly fine-tuning your craft. Not to mention that you are forever evolving as an individual throughout your life as well. So that piece of writing that you are proud to publish now may mortify you later. And what about if you're publishing a political piece? Will an employer find it in a Google search later and decide not to hire you because of the views you expressed?
These are just a few examples of the series of thoughts that cross my mind as I'm writing a piece that I plan to submit for publication.
So how does one tackle these anxieties? How does anyone who deals with all of these worries manage to write? Here are some of the ways I approach and conquer my horrible case of writing-related anxiety.
1. Find a way to
In my case, I decided to dedicate myself to writing for The Odyssey. Setting a commitment where outside forces are counting on you to get your piece done is an awesome motivator. It also helps to start out small. For me, one 500-word article per week was more than doable!
2. Practice, practice, practice!
The more I write for and submit to publishers, the easier it gets. The anxiety never goes away completely. Rather, it simmers down from a raging flame to a small flicker.
3. Harness your anxiety.
Anxiety isn't always a bad thing! It can serve as a propelling force that makes us our most productive selves. For more in-depth advice, check out this article by Forbes.
4. Find a support network.
I recently became a member of the SheKnows Experts Among Us community. This group has opened me up to a network of fellow female writers and bloggers who are always sharing their work. The members of SheKnows Experts Among Us quickly inspired me with all of their energy!
5. Develop a ritual.
Do something to help you get into the writing zone. For example, I like to eat a small snack before I start and then turn on some music to listen to as I'm writing. Your writing ritual doesn't have to be socially acceptable. Write wearing nothing but your underwear! Surround yourself with pillows and stuffed animals! I don't care how unorthodox it is. Just do it and make it a regular thing.
6. Remember what editing is for.
Keeping this little tidbit in the back of your mind helps you realize that it's OK to make mistakes throughout the writing process. Remember that you can always go back and tweak things later.
7. Pace yourself.
Sometimes this means that you need to step back and take a break. Do you think I wrote this article in one sitting? Guess again! I saved writing the list portion of this article for after my dinner break. There will be moments when you need to recharge. So give yourself some grace and take a breather every now and then!
8. Jump back in!
Wait! You're not done yet! Come back! There's still work to do! Yes, it's totally acceptable to rest, but don't let it get to the point where you're abandoning your work. At least not right now. Speaking of which...
9. Know when to let go.
According to Paul Valery, "A poem is never finished, only abandoned." This means that perfection in writing is impossible, so there are several ways that you can polish a piece. In addition to knowing how to keep trudging along through the writing and editing process, you have to gain a sense of when you need to let it go.
10. Pat yourself on the back!
Yay! You made it! Take some time to allow yourself to truly bask in this marvelous feeling of satisfaction.
Do you have any advice that isn't on this list? Want to elaborate on a point that I made? Feel free to comment! Let's get a dialogue going.
