Fear Is Often Part of the Writing Process—And That's Okay
(As long as you don't let it stop you from writing.)
Have you ever started writing something—or even thought about writing something—and then stopped as you wondered, Is anyone even going to care? Am I qualified to share this? Does it matter?
That feeling can immediately turn into a sense of self-doubt that causes you to hesitate to write. Sometimes, it can stop you from writing altogether.
The truth is, though, that fear is often part of the writing experience.
Depending on your perspective, that can be good news or bad news. Obviously, fear is uncomfortable, and it'd be nice if we didn't have to worry about it when writing, right? After all, the act of writing isn’t inherently dangerous.
However, knowing that you might feel anxious about writing and that it's normal can help you to anticipate your fear and keep moving through it. Because as frustrating as this feeling can be, you don't want to let it stop you from writing and sharing your work with the world.
Why do so many writers feel fearful when writing?
So, why do we sometimes feel anxious or fearful when we're writing? There are plenty of reasons, but one of the most common reasons is that we get impostor syndrome. Heck, despite working with writers for years and being an author myself, I sometimes still feel it! We doubt that we should be the ones telling the stories we're thinking about. Maybe you feel like your writing isn't polished enough. Perhaps you doubt that you can actually write an entire book. It’s a lot of work, after all. You feel like a fraud, and you imagine the writing police chastising you about your creation. (Okay, maybe that last bit is just me!)
Another common reason you might be anxious about writing is that writing involves sharing parts of yourself with people you know and with strangers. This is the case whether you're writing fiction or nonfiction because there are inevitably pieces of yourself that you embed into your writing. That's what makes your work so special, but it's also what makes sharing seem scary.
Similarly, your worry could stem from other people judging you and your work. Because our writing is so personal, if someone says they don't like your work, it can feel like they're saying they don't like you. Even constructive criticism said with the best of intentions can feel harsh when you're sensitive to others' judgments.
It's easy to get overwhelmed when you start thinking about whether you should be writing or what could happen when someone reads your work. However, focusing on hypotheticals and what-if scenarios will just lead you to feel more anxious in most cases. I know, it's hard to turn that part of your brain off. And there's no guarantee that you won't still hear that voice in the back of your head questioning you as you write.
But usually, the more you write, the less heavy that fear becomes. When you shift your focus to the story itself, the way you want to make people feel, and the freedom you feel when you write, that skeptical voice in your mind will hopefully become a little quieter.
Know that you don't have to be the world's leading expert on your subject to share something valuable with others. That impostor syndrome you're feeling isn't unusual, but it doesn't mean that you shouldn't share your story. Also, keep in mind that your first draft doesn't have to be perfect.
You can limit your mistakes and hiccups along the way, though, by taking your time and working with professionals. Do your research, ask questions, and read others' books. You'll have time to make revisions. You can ask people whose opinions you trust and value to give you (respectful) feedback, and you can also work with editors to ensure your work is polished by the time you're ready to share or publish it. (But remember, you're human, and you will make mistakes sometimes; that's okay!)
Some writers also find that using a pen name alleviates a lot of their anxiety. It gives them a sense of anonymity while also giving them the ability to write freely. This isn’t a necessity, of course, but if your primary concern is centered around judgment from people you know, and you don’t feel that you can comfortably share your work otherwise, this can be a great option.
Finally, another valuable and surprisingly simple way to soothe your anxiety around writing is to remember why you're writing. You probably enjoy some part of the writing process, right? Try to have fun and take some of the pressure off yourself! Remind yourself that you don't have to share anything that you don't want to, but also know that some of the best works of art, including writing, come from people who were vulnerable and honest. It's okay if it's scary. People want to hear your words.
So, if it's intimidating to pick up a pen or sit down at your laptop to write, don't worry; you're not alone! Take a deep breath and remember that fear is sometimes part of the writing process, but know that you have the ability to create something amazing despite any self-doubt or anxiety. Write on!
We’re building a community dedicated to helping writers share their stories with the world. Want to join us? Subscribe for free to join our community of writers bringing their stories to life, or access our free ebooks, writing templates, and more when you become a paid subscriber!
If you are writing a book and want a hand, let us know! Our team—Kim, Emily, and Jean—would love to help you with creating your book. If you'd like to talk about your idea or want advice, we are here for you. Even if we don't work together, I'm happy to share what I know. Book a 30-minute complimentary consultation by clicking here:
https://www.kwepub.com/consultation
We look forward to hearing about your incredible book project.
Write on!
Kim Eley
KWE Publishing
“There are three rules for writing the novel. Unfortunately, no one knows what they are.”
– W. Somerset Maugham
Sign Up For Our Free Webinar!
Our next free webinar, “Selling Your Books in Bulk” with author, influencer, and founder of Aviva Publishing, Susan Friedman, is scheduled Tuesday, August 26th, 2025, from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. Eastern! Get ready to learn about leveraging your network to uncover bulk sale opportunities, how to approach gatekeepers and decision-makers, and how to follow up and create long-term partnerships with potential buyers and readers!
Check Out Dr. Ginger Moran’s Write a Better Book Program!
Recently, a friend of KWE Publishing and developmental editor, Dr. Ginger Moran, shared her Write a Better Book Program, and we wanted to share it with everyone, too!
Do you want to be known for what you know? If you have hard-won knowledge and experience, you want to share it with the world. You believe you could make an impact. You don’t want what you know to be lost, when it could shine a light on the world--on you and on others. Like many people with expertise, you have been told that it is a good idea to write a book. You not only believe this--you believe it with your heart and your mind. But every time you get started, you run into a wall. And there is, ironically, too much information out there on how to write a book. Get expert guidance and tailored mentoring in this program and, at the end of it, come out confident that your vision not only can be achieved--you also know exactly how it will be.
The Write a Better Book Program by Ginger Moran is a three-month small group program to start the process of getting your book out of your mind and into your hands. Save time, money, vision, and energy by getting expert guidance on how to transform your idea and stack of notes into a plan for writing a top-quality book.
Resources:
Here at KWE Publishing, we want to share a few of our favorite resources with our newsletter readers. Check back weekly to see what resources we recommend!
I love reading short stories and personal essays, and one of my favorite places to do so recently has been
!Launched in 2023 by essayist, journalist, writing instructor, and editor
, is “an online magazine and community for memorable, revealing personal essays about all the subjects we're taught to keep ‘secret.’” This fantastic magazine shares a variety of essays that range from heartbreaking to humorous, so you’re sure to find something that interests you.Open Secrets has also recently shared a call for submissions! If you’d like to learn more, you can click here. Just make sure you read the guidelines prior to submitting.
