Are you scared to write your novel?

Damn it, I think I’m scared to write my novel! I have a solid story idea that excites me. It makes me think of a Pixar film, which is a good sign immediately! But for some reason, there’s a lot of resistance in me to write the thing. I’m off from work on Easter break, so I have two weeks to hit the ground running, yet… I’m afraid. Yesterday, I managed to write the first 1,250 words, but it was hard. I felt a barrier. And today, more of the same.

I am afraid that this will become a pattern…

Signs that you’re afraid of writing your novelYou think about your story all day, but never sit down to write itYou’re familiar with story writing, but this one feels toughYou keep coming up with excuses not to write itYou are over-planning when you know you have enough to startYou compare your story to the ones you readYou feel panic in your body when you think about a writing session (tight chest, turning stomach, sweaty palms)You allow yourself to consider other shiny new projects instead

Being afraid to write doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with you or your story. It happens. It’s part of being an artist and a creative. Self-doubt is a b*tch! There could be many reasons why you’re finding it hard to write your novel, but either way, here are some ideas that may make the mountain seem smaller and climbable!

How to overcome the fear of writing your novelSet really tiny (even teeny weeny) writing goals: 100 words a day for a year = 36,500 words of your novel; 250 words a day for a year (roughly a page of a published book) = 91,250 words of your novel which is likely to be a meaty finished manuscript!Give yourself more time than you usually would to finish the first draft: I usually write drafts in about 2 months, but I need to remember that a good draft can, and perhaps should, take longer, and that’s perfectly great! No one is timing or rushing us (unless you’re on deadline with a publisher, in which case, that’s amazing for you and I’m sure it’s stressful but speak to your agent!)Try out a new method of drafting: Maybe you usually fast draft, but this time you’re slow; maybe you pants and discover instead of plotting (or vice versa); maybe you edit as go instead of pushing ahead; maybe you write in a notebook; draw storyboards; write nude; write in a funky hat; write in the night; write first thing…Do something fun to make it desirable or childlike: play fun music, wear fun clothes, drink your favourite drink, do squats between every 100 words…Write first thing: before the overthinking and fear sets in!Reward yourself for doing it: gamify your writing process by creating a sheet with goals or milestones and attach rewards to each oneSet out your environment for comfort: you’re just indulging in your story world, in a pleasant way, no pressure here!Journal about why you might be struggling with this story and what might be going on beneath the surface: it may be nothing to do with the story or you, but a deeper emotional issue that’s holding you back (maybe speak to a truest friend or a professional, if you need it)Give yourself permission to be bad at first and write as rough as hell: I REPEAT – LET A DRAFT BE YOU TELLING YOURSELF THE ROUGH STORY; IT’S NOT SUPPOSED TO BE PERFECT!!Listen to empowering affirmations or a meditation: K A Emmons on YouTube is great for creative meditationsRemove barriers: if you’re afraid of the beginning, write the next scene that excites you; it’s okay to skip over or write “INSERT SCENE ABOUT X HERE” to just move on past it. Let future you deal with making everything more cohesive laterDedicate certain times in the day to writing: Keep promises and appointments with yourself by putting writing time in your calendar and doing it, even if it’s short or rubbish!

I could go on, but the general idea is to make this less scary in whatever way works for you. Whether that’s to simplify the story or the process or to lower your expectations of yourself, it will serve to free your mind to get creative again. At the moment, if you’re scared, it’s probably because you’re putting a lot of pressure on yourself, even if you don’t realise it. I know that I’m so excited about this story and it feels different to my other ones, so I keep thinking that it’s “The One” which is way too much pressure to put on what is essentially just another story idea, that’s all. If, when I’m done, I feel it’s “The One”, then great! I can get to work at making it stronger. But for now, that kind of thinking doesn’t serve us. It can just cripple our creativity.

Instead, here’s to allowing ourselves to write shoddy drafts so that we may actually get to edit and craft good novels from them later!

Don’t forget we have a podcast all about writing advice and difficulties to help you along your journey!

Sincerely,

S. xx