How to Write Non-Fiction: Fear and self-doubt
“Creativity cannot take a single step forward without fear marching right alongside it.”
—Elizabeth Gilbert, Big Magic
Writing is a mind game. You must embrace the discipline of getting words on the page, but you also must accept that fear and self-doubt are an inherent part of the creative process. Successful writers learn to see them and keep creating anyway.
Here are some of the most common ways fear and self-doubt show up for writers, so you know how to recognise them when they invade your thoughts.
Self-doubt
“My writing is terrible. I just can’t seem to get what’s in my head onto the page. I feel like a fraud. I’ll never be as good as [insert author name here] so I might as well give up.”
Fear of failure
“What if I don’t get an agent or a publisher? What if I self-publish and no one buys my book? What if no one likes it? What if I tell everyone I’m writing a book and then I never finish? What if I don’t make any money and it’s all a waste of time?”
Fear of rejection and criticism
“What if an editor rips the book apart? What if I get loads of one-star reviews? What if I get attacked by reviewers and readers on social media? What if the criticism is true and I really am that bad?”
Fear of judgment
“What will people think of me if they read the book? What if they think I’m weird for writing this? What if my family and friends hate what I’ve written? What if people laugh at me behind my back?”
Fear of success
“What if my book is a runaway success and suddenly everyone knows who I am and trolls attack me on social media? What if my accounts get hacked, or people ask me for money? What if the haters come for me and I get cancelled?”
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These thoughts and questions are all part of the rollercoaster of the creative journey, and we all go through elements of them along the way. I still struggle with self-doubt and fear of judgment and criticism in particular. You’re not alone on this journey.
Here are techniques that might help you reframe your thinking on these issues, so you can keep writing.
The fear is often worse than the reality
Your wonderful mind is trying to protect you by conjuring potential threats and helping you avoid them in advance. But we have all faced fears in the past and most often, they are not the monsters of our imagination.
If you write your book and it only sells five copies, then figure out how you can do better next time.
If you get a one-star review, check out all the other famous authors who also get one-star reviews! (Or better yet, don’t read your reviews!)
If your friends and family judge you for what you write, then find a community who accepts you. There are many who will love your work, whatever the genre you write in. Our friends and family are never our target readers, anyway.
Consider all the positive things that could happen instead. Your own self-development and creative transformation for a start, along with the possibility of reaching people and changing lives.
Finish your book and face your fears. You’ll likely find they are unfounded, and if they come to pass, then use that experience as fuel to write about in your next book.
Embrace these fears as part of the creative process
Be encouraged as virtually all other creatives, including your writing heroes, feel these things too with every book they write.
In fact, if you don’t feel any kind of doubt or fear, perhaps you don’t care enough about your book.
When fear and self-doubt arise, acknowledge them. Write your feelings in your journal if you need to. Let it all out onto the page. Then get back to writing.
Protect yourself in practical ways
Some of these fears can, and should, be tackled in a practical manner.
Work with a professional editor to ensure your book is the best it can be.
Research legalities if you’re worried about getting sued or revealing too much about people who are alive. If you’re writing something that might shock your loved ones or your community, then consider using a pseudonym.
If you’re concerned about people finding you online, check your privacy settings on your website host and social media, and set up a post office box or other proxy address. Be clear on your boundaries and how much you’re willing to share about your personal life and then stick to them.
Find a supportive community of people who understand the creative process and learn how to deal with all these things from those who are ahead of you on the journey.
Return to your why
If you still find yourself paralysed with fear, return to where we started.
Why are you writing this book?
Why do you care enough to spend your time and effort working on this project?
What drives you?
If you’re still unclear, return to chapter 1.1 and figure it out. Write your why on a sticky note and put it by your desk.
Look at it whenever you feel like giving up, or when fear and doubt batter you. Then take a deep breath and get back to the page.
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You can find more detail on aspects of the author journey in The Successful Author Mindset: A Handbook for Surviving the Writer’s Journey.
Questions:
• What are some of your fears and doubts? Identifying them is half the battle!
• What can you put in place to help you manage when the rollercoaster feels like too much?
• What is your ‘why’ that will help you through difficult times?
Resources:
• The Successful Author Mindset: A Handbook for Surviving the Writer’s Journey — Joanna Penn
• Art and Fear: Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking —David Bayles and Ted Orland
• Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear — Elizabeth Gilbert
• Make Your Art No Matter What: Moving Beyond Creative Hurdles — Beth Pickens
