Saturday, January 7, 2012

Distraction = Fear?

I read this interview with debut author Jennifer Shaw Wolf and the following Q&A from it really spoke to me, so I wanted to share:

What is the single worst distraction that kept you from writing this book?

My biggest distraction from writing any book is my own lack of confidence or fear. It takes different forms; my family, my house, the internet, my own to-be-read list, whatever. What I’ve learned (and am relearning all the time) is that distraction is another word for fear. As a writer, I get distracted most when I’m afraid to move forward. What if this doesn’t work? What if I spend all this time and it’s is no good? What should I be doing instead of writing? What if I’m wasting my time? (This thought is usually followed by a couple of hours on Twitter or Facebook, looking for some self-affirmation.) Finishing a book (no matter how rough) is a triumph over distractions and fear.

To read the whole interview, click here.

5 comments:

  1. That totally hits home with me! I fear rejection with my writing. Thanks for sharing.

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  2. At WorldCon I asked an author if that fear ever goes away. He said no.

    So congrats, you're already halfway legit :D

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  3. I'm so glad that part comes naturally. Otherwise I'd have one more thing to worry about.

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  4. I guess we're too legit to quit.

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