3 Circles of Writer Doubt

Fear runs circles around every writer. I think there are three basic categories of doubt that attacks writers: fears about yourself, fears about your idea, and fears about others.

• Fear can lead to doubt. You might doubt yourself as a writer. You might doubt the worth of your idea. You might doubt how others will receive you or your work. Breaking out of any of these circles of fear requires courage. You need to accept and deal with your fear or...
• Doubt can lead to excuses. You could find yourself making excuses to remain as you are. You could find yourself making excuses for idea's “flaws”. You could find yourself making excuses not to show others your work. Breaking out of any of these circles of fear requires work. You need to put in the work to overcome or compensate for any perceived shortcomings. When you don't...
• Excuses can lead to avoidance. You find yourself avoiding the part of you that is a writer. You avoid the idea that once got you so excited. You avoid talking about it to other people. Breaking out of avoidance takes some serious will-power.

Avoiding writing can lead to frustration, guilt, and a whole host of other negative emotions and negative beliefs. Decide which circle your fear runs in: self, idea, others. Then break the cycle. Get help from others if necessary.