Are you afraid of being a writer?
When someone asks you what one of your goals in life is, what do you say? Do say you want to be a writer? Or do you mumble a bunch of incoherent non-sense under your breath and hope the person just goes away?
Odd questions, I know. But I think they’re important ones. Writing is one of those endeavors that is very private, and letting someone else read that latest short story you wrote, or even admitting you want to be (or are) a writer can be difficult. Why? Because it exposes you to criticism and judgment. It leaves you vulnerable.
When I read this post over at Enriched by Words it got me thinking. When people ask what I really want to do in life, being a writer is something I can be petrified to bring up. Maybe it’s because I haven’t published a novel yet, therefore don’t think I’m legitimate. Or maybe it’s because I’m unsure of my writing and still finding my voice.
You are a writer. That’s great! Does anybody else know? Are you proud to be a writer? Do you honor yourself as a writer? What’s that?
If you do not honor yourself as a writer and respect your craft, no one else will, either.
As far back as high school I would keep most of my writing hidden from the public – including friends and family. And now that I’ve been writing on this blog for over 2 years now, I’m starting to feel more comfortable in my "skin" as a writer.
Are you afraid of being a writer? Are you afraid of letting the world know you’re a writer? Leave a comment below with your thoughts!
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Read More: Writing
I’m still intimidated to show my work. Now I write the last words on a short story and throw the paper at just about anyone to get it over with. Oddly enough, that helped.
I’m definitely still afraid, mostly of the stigma that’s attached to being a writer. People I come across tend to see it as something you do when your too lazy to get a job. The stigma makes it much harder for me to have confidence in my writing. It’s even harder to believe that I someday might actually get paid money to do it. I started a blog anyway. Finding a few “writer friends” along the way has helped me tremendously. I’m not sure where writing will take me, but I do feel much better about the journey.
I am now and always will be intimidated by my writing. But, I write about my frustrations and do show some my writing to people.
I write on a blog and I find it enjoyable…but still…I’d love to be published.
[...] Why can criticism be so damaging? Because writing, no matter if it’s a short story or an article for your local newspaper, is extremely personal. You are putting a part of yourself out there, exposed to the public. I touched on this part of writing in an earlier post “Are you afraid of being a writer?” [...]
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this subject, brave soul. I have been to so many workshops and have read many articles for writers and most of the time I’d go away feeling smaller than when I began.
Why???
I believe that part of the blame is intimidation. Yes, intimidation by those who control the market and by those who teach us how to cater to their celebrity oriented world.
A writer is someone who writes because of an internal drive. Whether you are published or not doesn’t change that.
Your thoughtful sensitivity rings true in your blogs.
Have you thought of writing autobiographical fiction? This might be a way for you to break free as a writer.
Interesting article. Great site as well. – keep up the good work!