For the very first guest post ever on The Fear List, I am pleased to present guest writer V.V. Denman! To learn more about V.V., make sure and check out her bio at the end of this post. To view more of her writing, visit her blog at vvdenman.com. Please make her welcome by leaving some comments to support and encourage this witty writer of God’s Word!
What Are You Afraid of? Write Already!
by V.V. Denman
I want to be a writer, but sometimes I suffer from graphophobia (the fear of writing). It’s not something I’m proud of, but there it is.
Once at a writer’s conference, the audience was asked to write a description of this or that. I experienced a touch of scriptophobia (the fear of writing in public).
Then there was the day I startled at my daughter’s spelling list. I thought I had a mild case of logophobia (the fear of words), but it was merely sesquipedalophobia (the fear of long words). Boy was I relieved.
I managed all right until I got cyberphobia (the fear of working on computers). After that, I couldn’t meet with my online support group. I tried to write them a letter but suffered from papyrophobia (the fear of paper). Paper cuts hurt, you know.
It could be worse, though. I once knew a girl with bibliophobia (the fear of books). I think she’s on television now.
Writing scares lots of people.
After all, we have thousands of years of exemplary prose that we’re trying to live up to. Not to mention the fact that someone might read our writing and think something. Bad.
Imagine these horrifying writing scenarios:
- Someone doesn’t like my writing.
- I hit send, then notice a typo.
- I receive a harsh critique.
- Someone hurts my feelings.
- It takes a LONG time to get published.
There is much to fear.
Well, guess what. We don’t have to worry about those things. They are definitely going to happen.
I don’t intend to make you feel worse, but fear is irrelevant. It all boils down to atelophobia (the fear of imperfection), but none of us are perfect, and all of us can write.
Think of the fun we can have, and consider the difference we can make in the lives of others.Sure, we’ll have some difficult days, but look on the bright side: at least we don’t have to fear the unexpected.
Be brave.
You don’t have to be a famous novelist before you write. Just pick up a pen and paper, or sit down in front of your keyboard. Write down some words. Send them to a friend. Share them online. Make someone smile. It’s worth getting a case of the nerves.
However,
If you suffer from isolophobia (the fear of being alone) or ataxophobia (the fear of untidiness), writing may not be for you. Seek professional help.
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity
(of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear),
but He has given us a spirit of power and of love
and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.
2 Timothy 1:7 Amplified Bible
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V.V. Denman is a Christian writer from North Texas. When she’s not feverishly typing at her keyboard, she’s rolling her eyes at her husband’s corny jokes or laughing with her five children. Her two dreams in life are to raise said children to be responsible adults, then maybe, just maybe get a bit of her writing published in the Christian market. Visit her online at vvdenman.com.
Enjoyed reading this! One of the fears that strikes me from time to time is “what if I receive a harsh critique”. I’m slowly learning that sometimes conflict isn’t necessary a bad thing, and that God does some pretty amazing work even in situations like that.
I’m glad you enjoyed it, I did as well! V.V. did an awesome job.
I know what you mean about the fear of getting a harsh critique. I never like conflict! For me, my two biggest fears about writing are 1) that my readers miss the message because I didn’t present it as well as I could have, and 2) that when I write something that means a lot to me and comes from the depths of my heart, someone might reject it or not like it. But remaining silent or not writing is not an option for me, so in the end, I believe the fears are worth it.
I’ve received (what I though were) harsh critiques, but after crying for a while I realized that mostly they were right. Or sometimes not. Either way. I’m better off having heard it. I need to improve on the crying part of it though. It’s just not that big a deal, you know? So my righting isn’t perfection. Wow. News flash.
Who gave you a harsh critique? I’ll give ‘em a word or two!
Critiques usually end up being immensely helpful in the end, but that’s not to say that sometimes they can be hurtful! And sometimes people are just mean. So I understand crying! When you put your whole heart out there for people to see, it hurts when they don’t like it. You just gotta take the critiques that matter from people who actually care about you and your writing, and ignore the others who are just trying to be mean. Although, a lot of times it can be hard to distinguish from the two when you’re personally attached to the topic you wrote about, for sure.
Once I realized that there is nothing to fear but fear itself (and Chuck Norris), I was good to go. Good post.
I love that quote! Haha, and your embellishment. I agree, she wrote a really good post! Wasn’t it cool how she so creatively wove in all those phobias?
“None of us are perfect, and all of us can write.”
How ironic. There’s a grammar mistake. But this post just calls for a blooper, doesn’t it?
Oh, I didn’t even notice that! But of course! No writing is complete without at least one blooper. Kudos on catching it now, because I wouldn’t have.
You did an awesome job writing a fun piece with a good message attached. I really like your line, “But fear is irrelevant.” As a reader, I did a double take. “What? Fear is irrelevant?” That was great! That phrase is not one you usually hear, and made me go, “Hm. Yeah. Maybe it is.” Very nice.
Lizzie,
The harsh critiques I’ve received were only harsh to me. They were given with honorable intentions. They only seemed harsh because they were honest. At the time, I thought I’d rather hear only complements. I’m beginning to realize critiques are MEANT to point out all my faults. Maybe someday I’ll grow up enough to handle it.
Still, I understand. They’re still critiquing (not sure I spelled that right) what you’ve written from the heart, and that can be difficult. It’s something we all have to get used to as writers, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t still hurt sometimes even when they meant it constructively.