Hi folks. Today I’m offering up a cool guest post from Alexis Bonari. The fear of writing is something that a lot of writers face and she’s provided us with some great tips. Let’s give her a warm welcome!
First of all, thanks to Tumblemoose for allowing me to share with his audience. Which leads me to my first tip…
1.) Get an Audience
As a new writer a few years back, I just wrote without any thought of the outcome. There was no audience to keep in mind. Since there was no audience to keep in mind, my mind drifted away. This led to discouragement and lots of wasted time.
Your audience can be your best friend, your cat, a family member… anyone. The audience does not have to know that you are writing for them. It’s only a mental technique so that you stay focused and get in the rhythm of writing.
2.) Find your Writing Rhythm
With music, a song does not have to be a chart-topper in order for it to have rhythm. 1,2,3,4 and 1,2,3,4 over and over. That’s a simple 4-count beat of music theory. In your writing, try to keep your rhythm, or pace, constant without concern of grammar, spelling, or anything that causes a break in your pace. To be honest, I’m listening to music right now, rocking back and forth in my chair, keeping my pace. It works! Quick Tip: I find it best to listen to music I have never heard before. It keeps me from singing along or thinking of the past.
3.) Show your Audience and Do Not Ask for Feedback
Since we are dealing with Fear, it’s best not to demand any critique of our work as our insecurities are already high. Allow for the audience to comment if they wish. If they say anything positive or negative, it is simply a tool you can use to go back and revise. If they say nothing, then leave it at that and move to your next assignment..keep that rhythm!
4.) Know that You are not Your Writing
You are a unique human being, who just happens to write. Anything that you write will not change you as a person. I believe this awareness separates the fear of a damaged ego from the simple reality of a person that writes. I hope that’s not too existential!
Oops..there goes my fear that you may not like me if you don’t understand what I’m trying to say 
5.) Healthy Living
There have been countless days where I’m extremely below my normal productivity levels.
Thinking back, I can always notice that I did not follow through with a list that I consider to be part of a healthy lifestyle. Here’s my list:
- -Going to sleep around the same time.
- -Getting up around the same time.
- -Drink lots of water.
- -Eat Fruit and Vegetables with meals.
- -Move around…get away from my computer screen!
- -Talk to someone about what’s on their mind, not mine.
Are you neglecting any of these? I sure am!
Now it’s time to eat
Bio: Alexis Bonari is a freelance writer and blog junkie. She is currently a resident blogger at onlinedegrees.org, where she does in-depth research on topics such as Education Tax Credits. In her spare time, she enjoys square-foot gardening, swimming, and avoiding her laptop.
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These are wonderful tips to keep in mind. I especially like number 3 where you’d write to show the audience but not ask for feedbacks. This is probably where I struggle the most since I’m way too sensitive on how others would pecieve my stories. Thanks for sharing these with us
Carrie
Carrie´s last [type] ..WOW! Women On Writing
Hi Alexis (and George),
Great tips!
I like your tip about listening to new music — I think I’ll try that soon.
As a fellow swimmer, enjoy the water often — mmm mmm good!
Hi Alexis and George – Thanks for sharing the great tips. A few people have mentioned using music while you’re writing recently, so maybe I’ll give it a go.
What you say about listening to people is so important – just getting out and talking to people always provides me with tonnes of new things to write about.