How to Avoid Developing Writer’s Apprehension Disorder (WAD) Part 2: Anxiety
Have you stopped writing because you feel apprehensive about how others will respond to your work? Are you battling negative or anxious thoughts about who you are as a writer or questioning if you are a writer? If you have these symptoms and are hesitating to continue writing because someone gave you negative feedback, then you are probably suffering from WAD: Writer’s Apprehension Disorder. In part 2, we will focus on anxiety.
According to the Oxford American Dictionary, anxiety is a feeling of worry, nervousness or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome. Do we not always feel uncertain while we are writing and while we are waiting for a response from an agent or publisher? Philippians 4:6 states that we should be anxious for nothing. That is easier said than done. If we’ve finished the work and edited it to the best of our ability, then we should submit the novel, right? However, if we become anxious at this stage of the process we will feel hesitancy instead of confidence at submitting our work. Below are several reasons why:
• We feel we are not a good enough writer.
• We feel our story is not good enough to sell.
• We fear we missed errors and/or typos.
• We feel the rejection (how dare we automatically assume we’ll be rejected?) will be too painful and we can’t cope.
• We fear we’ll be left with a sense that we have nothing left to contribute and should quit.
If you have experienced any of the above feelings, you are not alone. In Write Away, bestselling author Elizabeth George states, “Writing continues to be a scary proposition for me, as I don’t see myself as particularly talented and I wonder how much longer I’ll be able to massage novels out of my meager storehouse of gifts. Daily, I show up at the computer, and I hope for the best. But when I’m reading someone’s stunning first novel –like Cold Mountain or Ingenious Pain, a British first novel that I’m reading- I think, what am I doing? My God, I am so insignificant a storyteller in comparison with these guys. But then I tell myself that all I can do is my best, telling the story as well as I can, leaving the rest up to God.” (157; Harper Collins, 2004)
If we did the best we could why should we feel our work is not good enough? I found after reading one of my favorite authors that my work just can’t compare. However, I need to realize that I shouldn’t be comparing my work with hers but viewing my work for its own value.
I believe even the most skilled writers fear they’ve missed an error or typo. The solution to that is easy. Have someone else read and critique the work. A second set of eyes should be able to pick up anything you miss.
We all have to deal with rejection, not just in our writing. We need to realize and accept that rejection isn’t just a part of life, but a part that we can use to our benefit. We may feel our work is finished only to find ourselves rejected because the work isn’t finished. We can huff and stomp a foot or we can get back to the drawing board and finish it. Chances are by going over the work again the writing will improve and the characters appear more alive. So while we hate the pinch of rejection let’s celebrate the growth as a writer and the more powerful and enjoyable outcome of the newly edited novel.
Sometimes we all battle with the sense that we have no purpose and have nothing left to offer the world. That’s when we tell ourselves maybe we should just give up writing altogether. These would be times when feelings of depression are creeping in and must be squashed with the Word of God. Jeremiah 29:11 states that God knows the plans He has for each of us. “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”(NIV)
No matter what stage of dread or anxiety we may be battling, the best thing to do is go straight to the Word of God. In those scriptures we will find truth and comfort. We will also find the will to continue what God has ordained us to do.
Are you experiencing anxiety? Can you think of other symptoms of anxiety causing hesitation in submitting or continuing your work?
Monday, July 5, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
Progressing Instead of Regressing in Our Writing Endeavors
How to Avoid Developing Writer’s Apprehension Disorder (WAD) Part 1: Dread
Using last Monday’s blog, The Song that Silenced the Cappuccino Machine, for inspiration let’s delve into our series on progressing instead of regressing in our writing endeavors. Part 1 of our series focuses on dread. WAD includes symptoms such as dread, anxiety and worry. These are all forms of fear and these fears can overcome us as struggling, or even as published writers.
Last week I mentioned we all have a purpose in life and potential. When we allow dread, anxiety or worry to prevent us from fulfilling our purpose; writing, or to make us feel as though we have nothing to contribute, we must resist believing the lie and remember God said otherwise. In Write Away, bestselling author Elizabeth George states that, “Writing a book is terrifying. I can see why some writers go from book to book at a pace that allows them virtually no time off. I don’t want to live that way, and as a result, I have to face my demon fear each time I begin a novel. But Steinbeck faced it; Marquez continues to face it. If Nobel Prize winners can admit their fears, so can I.” (207; Harper Collins, 2004)
Have you stopped writing because you feel apprehensive about how others will respond to your work? Are you battling negative or anxious thoughts about who you are as a writer or questioning if you are a writer? If you have these symptoms or are hesitating to continue writing because someone gave you negative feedback, then you are probably suffering from WAD: Writer’s Apprehension Disorder.
In the first stages of dread you experience a sensation of panic at the thought of continuing your work, so you stop writing. According to the Oxford American Dictionary, dread is “a great fear or apprehension.” This sensation could keep you from continuing due to fear of negative outcome or fear of conquering the challenge. Dread makes us procrastinate or give up altogether and it can be crippling to a writing career.
Also in Write Away, George states, “When I was creating For the Sake of Elena, I became so incapacitated by fear that I was having trouble getting out of bed in the morning. I finally resorted to saying, ‘These are only words and I will not let words defeat me’ in order to get up and get to work. Thus I struggled to the end of the novel.” (47)
I find George’s words encouraging, since I experience the same feelings myself and spent the longest time believing I was the only one who did. I fell into dread’s trap and had to pull myself out. Dread keeps our stomachs in knots, our minds confused, and stops us from enjoying our lives. Most of all, dread keeps us from completing the task we set out to do; to finish writing the novel. If we do overcome the dread and finish the work, our joy is short lived because dread reappears to keep us from querying an agent or publisher. Dread feeds on doubt and insecurity. Simply put, dread steals our joy, ruins a good mood and leaves us with a sense of gloom or despair about our abilities as a writer.
How do we overcome the dread we battle and find ourselves succumbing to?
• First, we need to set our minds to recognize the symptoms before they overpower us. The best way to recognize dread is through prayer. We should ask the Lord to open our eyes and give us discernment when these unwelcome feelings begin creeping in.
• Another way to overcome dread would be to speak with a trusted friend, someone to whom we could pour out our hearts and receive encouragement. If possible, an established author or agent who is willing to offer advice to writers.
• One more way would be to change our focus the moment we feel hesitancy or dread appearing. The longer our thoughts are on our fears the more powerful the dread becomes. 2 Timothy 1:7 states, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (KJV)
• Finally, the most powerful way to overcome dread is through the Word of God. Speak the scriptures. Hebrews 4:12 states “The word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit.” (KJV).
Throughout the Bible, God tells His people, as He tells our hearts today, not to fear [dread] or worry. Why, because He is in control. Let’s keep that in mind and keep writing. Next week Part 2: Anxiety.
What about you? Have you fallen into dread’s trap? Do you battle with dread? Do you procrastinate when it’s time to write or submit your work? How do you cope with your dread and keep writing? I would love to hear your responses.
Using last Monday’s blog, The Song that Silenced the Cappuccino Machine, for inspiration let’s delve into our series on progressing instead of regressing in our writing endeavors. Part 1 of our series focuses on dread. WAD includes symptoms such as dread, anxiety and worry. These are all forms of fear and these fears can overcome us as struggling, or even as published writers.
Last week I mentioned we all have a purpose in life and potential. When we allow dread, anxiety or worry to prevent us from fulfilling our purpose; writing, or to make us feel as though we have nothing to contribute, we must resist believing the lie and remember God said otherwise. In Write Away, bestselling author Elizabeth George states that, “Writing a book is terrifying. I can see why some writers go from book to book at a pace that allows them virtually no time off. I don’t want to live that way, and as a result, I have to face my demon fear each time I begin a novel. But Steinbeck faced it; Marquez continues to face it. If Nobel Prize winners can admit their fears, so can I.” (207; Harper Collins, 2004)
Have you stopped writing because you feel apprehensive about how others will respond to your work? Are you battling negative or anxious thoughts about who you are as a writer or questioning if you are a writer? If you have these symptoms or are hesitating to continue writing because someone gave you negative feedback, then you are probably suffering from WAD: Writer’s Apprehension Disorder.
In the first stages of dread you experience a sensation of panic at the thought of continuing your work, so you stop writing. According to the Oxford American Dictionary, dread is “a great fear or apprehension.” This sensation could keep you from continuing due to fear of negative outcome or fear of conquering the challenge. Dread makes us procrastinate or give up altogether and it can be crippling to a writing career.
Also in Write Away, George states, “When I was creating For the Sake of Elena, I became so incapacitated by fear that I was having trouble getting out of bed in the morning. I finally resorted to saying, ‘These are only words and I will not let words defeat me’ in order to get up and get to work. Thus I struggled to the end of the novel.” (47)
I find George’s words encouraging, since I experience the same feelings myself and spent the longest time believing I was the only one who did. I fell into dread’s trap and had to pull myself out. Dread keeps our stomachs in knots, our minds confused, and stops us from enjoying our lives. Most of all, dread keeps us from completing the task we set out to do; to finish writing the novel. If we do overcome the dread and finish the work, our joy is short lived because dread reappears to keep us from querying an agent or publisher. Dread feeds on doubt and insecurity. Simply put, dread steals our joy, ruins a good mood and leaves us with a sense of gloom or despair about our abilities as a writer.
How do we overcome the dread we battle and find ourselves succumbing to?
• First, we need to set our minds to recognize the symptoms before they overpower us. The best way to recognize dread is through prayer. We should ask the Lord to open our eyes and give us discernment when these unwelcome feelings begin creeping in.
• Another way to overcome dread would be to speak with a trusted friend, someone to whom we could pour out our hearts and receive encouragement. If possible, an established author or agent who is willing to offer advice to writers.
• One more way would be to change our focus the moment we feel hesitancy or dread appearing. The longer our thoughts are on our fears the more powerful the dread becomes. 2 Timothy 1:7 states, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (KJV)
• Finally, the most powerful way to overcome dread is through the Word of God. Speak the scriptures. Hebrews 4:12 states “The word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit.” (KJV).
Throughout the Bible, God tells His people, as He tells our hearts today, not to fear [dread] or worry. Why, because He is in control. Let’s keep that in mind and keep writing. Next week Part 2: Anxiety.
What about you? Have you fallen into dread’s trap? Do you battle with dread? Do you procrastinate when it’s time to write or submit your work? How do you cope with your dread and keep writing? I would love to hear your responses.
Monday, June 21, 2010
The Song that Silenced the Cappuccino Machine.
Someone forwarded this to me in an email and I don’t know who the original author is, however, it goes perfectly with the theme of a series of blogs I plan to share beginning next Monday.
We all have a purpose in life and potential. God gave that to us. When we allow dread, anxiety and worry to prevent us from fulfilling our purpose; writing, and allow that fear to make us feel as though we have nothing to contribute, please remember that God said we all have something to give back.
The SPARROW at STARBUCKS: The Song that Silenced the Cappuccino Machine.
It was chilly in Manhattan but warm inside the Starbucks shop on 51st Street and Broadway, just a skip up from Times Square. Early November weather in New York City holds only the slightest hint of the bitter chill of late December and January, but it's enough to send the masses crowding indoors to vie for available space and warmth.
For a musician, it's the most lucrative Starbucks location in the world, I'm told, and consequently, the tips can be substantial if you play your tunes right. Apparently, we were striking all the right chords that night, because our basket was almost overflowing.. It was a fun, low-pressure gig - I was playing keyboard and singing backup for my friend who also added rhythm with an arsenal of percussion instruments. We mostly did pop songs from the '40s to the '90s with a few original tunes thrown in.
During our emotional rendition of the classic, "If You Don't Know Me by Now," I noticed a lady sitting in one of the lounge chairs across from me. She was swaying to the beat and singing along.
After the tune was over, she approached me. "I apologize for singing along on that song. Did it bother you?" she asked.
"No," I replied. "We love it when the audience joins in. Would you like to sing up front on the next selection?"
To my delight, she accepted my invitation. "You choose,"
I said. "What are you in the mood to sing?"
"Well. . . . do you know any hymns?"
Hymns? This woman didn't know who she was dealing with. I cut my teeth on hymns. Before I was even born, I was going to church. I gave our guest singer a knowing look. "Name one."
"Oh, I don't know. There are so many good ones. You pick one."
"Okay," I replied. "How about 'His Eye is on the Sparrow'?"
My new friend was silent, her eyes averted. Then she fixed her eyes on mine again and said, "Yeah. Let's do that one."
She slowly nodded her head, put down her purse, straightened her jacket and faced the center of the shop. With my two-bar setup, she began to sing.
Why should I be discouraged?
Why should the shadows come?
The audience of coffee drinkers was transfixed. Even the gurgling noises of the cappuccino machine ceased as the employees stopped what they were doing to listen. The song rose to its conclusion.
I sing because I'm happy;
I sing because I'm free.
For His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches me.
When the last note was sung, the applause crescendoed to a deafening roar that would have rivaled a sold-out crowd at Carnegie Hall. Embarrassed, the woman tried to shout over the din, "Oh, y'all go back to your coffee! I didn't come in here to do a concert! I just came in here to get somethin' to drink, just like you!" But the ovation continued.
I embraced my new friend. "You, my dear, have made my whole year! That was beautiful!"
"Well, it's funny that you picked that particular hymn," she said.
"Why is that?"
"Well . . ." she hesitated again, "that was my daughter's favorite song."
"Really!" I exclaimed.
"Yes," she said, and then grabbed my hands. By this time, the applause had subsided and it was business as usual.. "She was 16. She died of a brain tumor last week."
I said the first thing that found its way through my stunned silence. "Are you going to be okay?"
She smiled through tear-filled eyes and squeezed my hands. "I'm gonna be okay. I've just got to keep trusting the Lord and singing his songs, and everything's gonna be just fine."
She picked up her bag, gave me her card, and then she was gone.
Was it just a coincidence that we happened to be singing in that particular coffee shop on that particular November night? Coincidence that this wonderful lady just happened to walk into that particular shop? Coincidence that of all the hymns to choose from, I just happened to pick the very hymn that was the favorite of her daughter, who had died just the week before?
I refuse to believe it. God has been arranging encounters in human history since the beginning of time, and it's no stretch for me to imagine that he could reach into a coffee shop in midtown Manhattan and turn an ordinary gig into a revival. It was a great reminder that if we keep trusting him and singing his songs, everything's gonna be okay.
The next time you feel like GOD can't use YOU, just remember....
* Abraham was too old
* Isaac was a daydreamer
* Jacob was a liar
* Leah was ugly
* Joseph was abused
* Moses had a stuttering problem
* Gideon was afraid
* Sampson had long hair and was a womanizer
* Rahab was a prostitute
* Jeremiah and Timothy were too young
* David had an affair and was a murderer
* Elijah was suicidal
* Isaiah preached naked
* Jonah ran from God
* Naomi was a widow
* Job went bankrupt
* John the Baptist ate bugs
* Peter denied Christ
* The Disciples fell asleep while praying
* Martha worried about everything
* The Samaritan woman was divorced, more than once
* Zaccheus was too small
* Paul was too religious
* Timothy had an ulcer
* Lazarus was dead!
No more excuses now!! God can use you to your full potential. Besides you aren't the message, you are just the messenger. God bless you..
We all have a purpose in life and potential. God gave that to us. When we allow dread, anxiety and worry to prevent us from fulfilling our purpose; writing, and allow that fear to make us feel as though we have nothing to contribute, please remember that God said we all have something to give back.
The SPARROW at STARBUCKS: The Song that Silenced the Cappuccino Machine.
It was chilly in Manhattan but warm inside the Starbucks shop on 51st Street and Broadway, just a skip up from Times Square. Early November weather in New York City holds only the slightest hint of the bitter chill of late December and January, but it's enough to send the masses crowding indoors to vie for available space and warmth.
For a musician, it's the most lucrative Starbucks location in the world, I'm told, and consequently, the tips can be substantial if you play your tunes right. Apparently, we were striking all the right chords that night, because our basket was almost overflowing.. It was a fun, low-pressure gig - I was playing keyboard and singing backup for my friend who also added rhythm with an arsenal of percussion instruments. We mostly did pop songs from the '40s to the '90s with a few original tunes thrown in.
During our emotional rendition of the classic, "If You Don't Know Me by Now," I noticed a lady sitting in one of the lounge chairs across from me. She was swaying to the beat and singing along.
After the tune was over, she approached me. "I apologize for singing along on that song. Did it bother you?" she asked.
"No," I replied. "We love it when the audience joins in. Would you like to sing up front on the next selection?"
To my delight, she accepted my invitation. "You choose,"
I said. "What are you in the mood to sing?"
"Well. . . . do you know any hymns?"
Hymns? This woman didn't know who she was dealing with. I cut my teeth on hymns. Before I was even born, I was going to church. I gave our guest singer a knowing look. "Name one."
"Oh, I don't know. There are so many good ones. You pick one."
"Okay," I replied. "How about 'His Eye is on the Sparrow'?"
My new friend was silent, her eyes averted. Then she fixed her eyes on mine again and said, "Yeah. Let's do that one."
She slowly nodded her head, put down her purse, straightened her jacket and faced the center of the shop. With my two-bar setup, she began to sing.
Why should I be discouraged?
Why should the shadows come?
The audience of coffee drinkers was transfixed. Even the gurgling noises of the cappuccino machine ceased as the employees stopped what they were doing to listen. The song rose to its conclusion.
I sing because I'm happy;
I sing because I'm free.
For His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches me.
When the last note was sung, the applause crescendoed to a deafening roar that would have rivaled a sold-out crowd at Carnegie Hall. Embarrassed, the woman tried to shout over the din, "Oh, y'all go back to your coffee! I didn't come in here to do a concert! I just came in here to get somethin' to drink, just like you!" But the ovation continued.
I embraced my new friend. "You, my dear, have made my whole year! That was beautiful!"
"Well, it's funny that you picked that particular hymn," she said.
"Why is that?"
"Well . . ." she hesitated again, "that was my daughter's favorite song."
"Really!" I exclaimed.
"Yes," she said, and then grabbed my hands. By this time, the applause had subsided and it was business as usual.. "She was 16. She died of a brain tumor last week."
I said the first thing that found its way through my stunned silence. "Are you going to be okay?"
She smiled through tear-filled eyes and squeezed my hands. "I'm gonna be okay. I've just got to keep trusting the Lord and singing his songs, and everything's gonna be just fine."
She picked up her bag, gave me her card, and then she was gone.
Was it just a coincidence that we happened to be singing in that particular coffee shop on that particular November night? Coincidence that this wonderful lady just happened to walk into that particular shop? Coincidence that of all the hymns to choose from, I just happened to pick the very hymn that was the favorite of her daughter, who had died just the week before?
I refuse to believe it. God has been arranging encounters in human history since the beginning of time, and it's no stretch for me to imagine that he could reach into a coffee shop in midtown Manhattan and turn an ordinary gig into a revival. It was a great reminder that if we keep trusting him and singing his songs, everything's gonna be okay.
The next time you feel like GOD can't use YOU, just remember....
* Abraham was too old
* Isaac was a daydreamer
* Jacob was a liar
* Leah was ugly
* Joseph was abused
* Moses had a stuttering problem
* Gideon was afraid
* Sampson had long hair and was a womanizer
* Rahab was a prostitute
* Jeremiah and Timothy were too young
* David had an affair and was a murderer
* Elijah was suicidal
* Isaiah preached naked
* Jonah ran from God
* Naomi was a widow
* Job went bankrupt
* John the Baptist ate bugs
* Peter denied Christ
* The Disciples fell asleep while praying
* Martha worried about everything
* The Samaritan woman was divorced, more than once
* Zaccheus was too small
* Paul was too religious
* Timothy had an ulcer
* Lazarus was dead!
No more excuses now!! God can use you to your full potential. Besides you aren't the message, you are just the messenger. God bless you..
Friday, June 11, 2010
A Character’s Moral Convictions
Make Your Main Character Stand Out from the Rest
Do you want your main character to stand out in a natural and acceptable way? Try a subtle, yet powerful, character trait: strong moral convictions.
Moral conviction means making the right choice or doing the right thing. Usually, this involves making a sacrifice or letting go of something. When writing a story, creating a character with moral convictions shows, instead of tells, the reader that the main character either doesn’t fear being different, or would risk reticule from others for standing firm in his or her beliefs. To the character, the sacrifice involved would be worth making because it would result in the greater good for those he or she cares about.
For example, have him refuse to cheat at a game of cards though an opportunity presents itself. Or have him turn down the chance to be unfaithful to his girlfriend, even if he thought the other woman was irresistible. His courage in walking away would show he was a man of great self-control. In addition, it would show he had the insight to understand he would face consequences for his actions, even if no one else learned what he had done. Have her refuse to sleep with her fiancé before they are married. Or have her refuse to ‘fudge’ the books at work or steal cash from the company drawer, knowing no one would ever suspect her. She would know and that would be enough to keep her from doing it.
The point is, create a main character that wants a clean conscience. Overdone character traits like walking with a limp or chain smoking won’t due. However, a character that will follow his or her convictions instead of doing what everyone else does, just because ‘everybody does it,’ will. A character willing to make the necessary sacrifice because he or she believes the outcome of the situation would be worth it, stands out.
In addition, a character’s strong moral conviction shows, instead of tells, that he or she has an inner strength that the other characters, and the reader, can’t help but respect. Even if they don’t agree or believe in his or her moral convictions, both reader and supporting characters should be impressed.
Because it’s never easy for anyone to stand alone in what they believe, the fact that a major character does makes him or her a more memorable and endearing character. Isn’t that what sells books? Strong, unforgettable, engaging and interesting characters, that against all odds, refuse to compromise their ethical beliefs under pressure.
Finally, remember to reveal the convictions in a subtle way. The main character cannot preach or brag about his or her beliefs. That would turn the reader off. The convictions must flow naturally throughout the story, as part of the storyline. By the character’s previous behavior, these convictions should also show that it’s the only way this character could react to the situation.
Read more at Suite101: A Character’s Moral Convictions: Make the Main Character Stand Out from the Rest http://writingfiction.suite101.com/article.cfm/a_characters_moral_convictions#ixzz0qZbFAE3t
Do you want your main character to stand out in a natural and acceptable way? Try a subtle, yet powerful, character trait: strong moral convictions.
Moral conviction means making the right choice or doing the right thing. Usually, this involves making a sacrifice or letting go of something. When writing a story, creating a character with moral convictions shows, instead of tells, the reader that the main character either doesn’t fear being different, or would risk reticule from others for standing firm in his or her beliefs. To the character, the sacrifice involved would be worth making because it would result in the greater good for those he or she cares about.
For example, have him refuse to cheat at a game of cards though an opportunity presents itself. Or have him turn down the chance to be unfaithful to his girlfriend, even if he thought the other woman was irresistible. His courage in walking away would show he was a man of great self-control. In addition, it would show he had the insight to understand he would face consequences for his actions, even if no one else learned what he had done. Have her refuse to sleep with her fiancé before they are married. Or have her refuse to ‘fudge’ the books at work or steal cash from the company drawer, knowing no one would ever suspect her. She would know and that would be enough to keep her from doing it.
The point is, create a main character that wants a clean conscience. Overdone character traits like walking with a limp or chain smoking won’t due. However, a character that will follow his or her convictions instead of doing what everyone else does, just because ‘everybody does it,’ will. A character willing to make the necessary sacrifice because he or she believes the outcome of the situation would be worth it, stands out.
In addition, a character’s strong moral conviction shows, instead of tells, that he or she has an inner strength that the other characters, and the reader, can’t help but respect. Even if they don’t agree or believe in his or her moral convictions, both reader and supporting characters should be impressed.
Because it’s never easy for anyone to stand alone in what they believe, the fact that a major character does makes him or her a more memorable and endearing character. Isn’t that what sells books? Strong, unforgettable, engaging and interesting characters, that against all odds, refuse to compromise their ethical beliefs under pressure.
Finally, remember to reveal the convictions in a subtle way. The main character cannot preach or brag about his or her beliefs. That would turn the reader off. The convictions must flow naturally throughout the story, as part of the storyline. By the character’s previous behavior, these convictions should also show that it’s the only way this character could react to the situation.
Read more at Suite101: A Character’s Moral Convictions: Make the Main Character Stand Out from the Rest http://writingfiction.suite101.com/article.cfm/a_characters_moral_convictions#ixzz0qZbFAE3t
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