Fear (More Ways Than One's First Challenge)

by Capital "W" Writer (LoA's Geekus Awesomeus)

Writing is a passion of mine. It always has been. But I didn’t write anything (outside of character backgrounds for role-playing games) for almost 20 years. Why?

One word: Fear.

I was too afraid about what others would think. Even when I was writing, the only people who ever read what I wrote were teachers in school, and that was only because they had to so they could grade me. And I let that fear bleed into other parts of my life. And that stifled me in so many ways.

I let the fear control me, rather than me controlling it.

Fear is a path to the Dark Side. Fear leads to…

Wait…

Sorry.

Geek moment. Where was I?

Ah, yes. If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my time on Ficlets, it’s to use that fear. I was afraid to let people read what I wrote, because I was afraid they wouldn’t like it. And, by extension, wouldn’t like me.

I still have that fear. But I know what to do with it. Where to direct it.

I use it to make myself a better writer.

And, hopefully, a better person.

It seems to be working.

Comments

Average Reader Rating: 5.0 stars out of 5

  1. Fear (More Ways Than One's First Challenge)

    Trying to Blend's Buddy Icon Trying to Blend

    Posted 5 months ago

    5.0 out of 5 stars

    I also haven’t written in about twenty years…isn’t this place wonderful? You took my fear, I need to think of another…

  2. Fear (More Ways Than One's First Challenge)

    Capital "W" Writer (LoA's Geekus Awesomeus)'s Buddy Icon Capital "W" Writer (LoA's Geekus Awesomeus)

    Posted 5 months ago

    Great minds think alike? :D Yes, I love this site. The people here are so wonderfully supportive, and they really know how to criticize without being critical.

  3. Fear (More Ways Than One's First Challenge)

    SKermitgorf's Buddy Icon SKermitgorf

    Posted 5 months ago

    5.0 out of 5 stars

    You quickly rose to the top of my “must read” ficleteers. Your style , dialogue, i can’t think of anything to be critical of your work.. always interesting.. never boring.
    No one ever read what I worte until Ficlets. Aug 200.. and Im ever grateful to all who not only read them but give me such high praise.. the best feeling of all for a writer.. to be read and apprciated. I never thought what I wrote was good enough,and truth be told until i discovered this community, my writing wasn’t that good.

  4. Fear (More Ways Than One's First Challenge)

    Blusparrow's Buddy Icon Blusparrow

    Posted 5 months ago

    I love Star Wars. I like your prespective on using a fear to push you to do well. I wouldn’t worry about the fear, you are a great writer. That is the honest truth. Some of you just have the born talent and you are one of them.
    LoA

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