On Being Tentative

On Being Tentative If you are afraid to write, then dont. If you are afraid to submit, then dont. If you are afraid to publish, then dont. Youre getting in the way of the glut of writers out there whove decided fear is not an option. I get riled at many programs, classes, and blog posts that tell you magically how to overcome fear, how to make yourself do any of the writing tasks required of a serious writer. If a writer has to pay someone else to remove that fear, then chances are that fear will return after payment has been rendered and the writer is left alone again. In other words, when the crutch is gone, the writer flounders again, seeking someone, something, some entity that will prop him up again and hold his hand to the finish line. When the motivation ought to organically come from within. Im not making light of the fear involved in this profession. We bare our hearts and souls to strangers then hold our arms open for the potential lashing. Yes, its hard. Everything that tests us, challenges us, or strengthens us is an obstacle, and in the end, we are the only ones that can decide to dig in, overcome,  and make it happen. So when I see the titles that say something like How to get over the fear of publishing, . . . I get mad. The lone writer is the only soul who can fix fear. Learn a lesson, tuck it into your tool box, and move on. Reach inside yourself and make your own decision to improve, submit, publish. At the end of the day, you are the only one left standing to make the decision on where to take your writing. This job is lonely. The only way you can get inside your head and tap those luscious words that sell is to be alone, edit alone, submit alone. You make the choices. You make the changes. You make the long-term decision to stick this crap out and make it happen. At the moment I hear a hundred voices shouting But followed While this editorial might raise the blood pressure of a few readers, so be it. Face reality. Writing is not a group effort. Sure, you hire people or sign contracts with others along the way, even thinking an agent is your life vest, but the bottom line is that you pen the words. This is all on you. We all like the pat on the back and the positive reinforcement. Thats human nature. But if you need someone  petting you on the head every day to keep going, maybe this isnt the job for you. There are too many others out there who show up everyday to make their dream happen. And they left their mommas in the other room.