Fear can be the enemy of creativity. Fear is what keeps a creative person both from starting a project and from ever finishing a project. It is easier to keep that story floating around inside your head a dream than doing the work of putting it down on paper. Once it is outside your head, other people can see it. And, judge it.
Fear of judgement can masquerade as perfectionism. I know a musician that has composed over a hundred excellent songs, that no one has ever heard. They will never be quite good enough, never quite done. He has worked on those songs for decades and says he wants to share them with the world. Fear has kept him from ever contacting an agent, or whatever the musical equivalent of an agent is.
In my writing life, I have met several people that after a while, I realized would never pursue publication in any form. One charming young woman was a member of a critique group of mine. She prepared well thought out critiques of other people’s pieces but never submitted anything. She would tells us the plots in her head but nothing ever ended up on the page. She couldn’t commit anything to print. After a while, we lost contact. Her fear kept her from interacting with the group.
Image: Mrs. Caudle’s Lecture via Wikimedia Commons
Scribbling In The Storage Room 
Thank you for sharing this. My fear of not writing the story is greater than fear limiting myself with perfectionism.
Believe me Tracy, I’m afraid of that too.
I see some of this in myself. Love the line, fear of judgment can masquerade as perfectionism. So true. Good post.
from The Dugout
Fear of finishing seems an odd thing at first glance, but it’s true and it ties in heavily with fear of judgement. Thanks for the reminder that those nagging doubts in the back of my head are just fears that I have to push past.
Those nagging doubts get me every time if I’m not vigilant.
You hit the nail on the head with this one. And if you are a type A, it’s worse!
I’m not sure if I’m type A or not. Sometimes I think I am but how could I be so lazy and still be type A?
Fear is a defense mechanism, and at times we need it as self-protection, but it can get in your way in many ways, travel, relationships, taking career chances. Face your fears is good advice.
Problem is – it’s easy to say we should our fears. It’s harder to actually do it. I sometimes don’t even know I’m afraid of.
Elizabeth, hopping in from the A to Z Challenge. Your image fits your topic perfectly! This is a much needed post for all writers who have ever have to cope with the fear of imperfection, lack of approval, etc. Thanks for sharing.
Sherrey at Healing by Writing
I’ve alway loved that phrase, “always do what you are afraid to do.” It’s so true! The best moments of my life both in the real world and creative realms, have been the result of taking a risk. 🙂
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‘other people can see it. And, judge it.’
I think this is the factor that gets me and really strikes the fear. I mean..other people, reading my writing. Actual living, breathing, opinionated humans. I shudder at the thought.
Great post!
Your posts are amazing, thank you so much for sharing.
The flip side of this is that fear can be a tremendous motivator. It’s the way we approach our fear that separates those who move on and those who fall be the wayside.
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You are nailing the writer’s experience, letter by letter!
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