I asked God if it was okay to be melodramaticAnd she said yesI asked her if it was okay to be shortAnd she said it sure isI asked her if I could wear nail polishOr not wear nail polishAnd she said honeyShe calls me that sometimesShe said you can do just exactlyWhat you want toThanks God I saidAnd is it even okay if I don’t paragraphMy lettersSweetcakes God saidWho knows where she picked that upWhat I’m telling you isYes Yes Yes–Kaylin Haught, ‘God Says Yes to Me’, fromThe Palm of Your Hand
I know what stops you from writing. The results of the survey I recently conducted revealed that more than lack of time or focus or commitment, FEAR sets up home in our hearts – or sends in any of its ugly relatives: self doubt, dread of failure, anxiety about rejection and ridicule.
Here’s what some of the interviewees wrote:Not believing in myselfScared to bare my soulInternal censorshipFear of not being good enoughJudgementLack of confidenceNegative criticism… (and the list went on).
Jeez, we need a plan of action to cut our way through this jungle.
First up, I don’t know a single writer who doesn’t have conniptions about self-exposure. There are trolls out there and we have to besmartabout how we put ourselves out into the world. However, we’re writers and the algorithm goes like this: FEAR + COURAGE = WRITING. So we have to find something that’s stronger than the fear. Something that pumps a whooshing YES through our veins.
Writing is about saying ‘yes’ to something inside us that is waiting to be expressed.
What do you want to say yes to?
WINGS: Words Inspire, Nourish and Grow the Spirit
Writing is the act of saying, ‘This is me. Here I am.’ It’s the most radical form of self acceptance.
What do you want to say yes to?
In writing, we only get from ‘I can’t’ to ‘I can’ by touching the parts that hurt until they stop hurting.
What do you want to say yes to?
My writing is my chance to say yes to….
(Print this out and keep it above your computer. Use it as a dreamwriting prompt).
Here’s aSpoonFedwriting tip if you need any more encouragement and tricks to help you manage fear:
You are braver than you think. Don’t let fear become your dominatrix.
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Categories: Writing Tips
