If you’re a writer, you know how hard it can be to keep writing even when you’re feeling a bit nervous. There are a few ways to get yourself started again.
Focus on One Content Segment or Scene
For some writers, they find that focusing on one content segment or scene at a time helps them overcome their anxiety.
Set Time Limits for When You Write
Another way to cope with anxiety is to set up time limits on writing. This can be very helpful. You can write more when you have a deadline to meet. But it can also cause you to work harder. It’s not necessarily the pressure that causes you to write more; it’s your mind’s response to the time limit that can make you work harder.
What Causes Writing Anxiety?
Writing anxiety can be caused by many different factors, and it’s important to be aware of them so you can overcome them. For example, some people suffer from writer’s block because they don’t have the confidence to produce the best work. Other people worry that they don’t have enough knowledge about the topic, or they don’t have time to produce a high quality piece of writing.
If you have severe anxiety about writing, you can be overwhelmed by the thought of completing a content section or chapter. Instead of getting stuck, you may feel jittery, sweaty, or dizzy. Eventually, you may experience a full-blown panic attack. Your anxiety can also cause you to avoid starting your project, or you may start to produce work that isn’t of the best quality.
Who to Reach Out to For Help?
Having a support group can help you get through the anxiety. Whether it’s family members, friends, or a writing mentor like Candace Sinclair, having someone to turn to when you’re feeling stressed can really help you.
What Methods Do Other Writers Use to Lessen Their Writing Anxiety?
Some writers use colored notecards or pencils to make their work more manageable. In addition, playing with colors can help you focus on the process of creating your work, which can help you overcome your anxieties.
Another method for dealing with anxiety is to think back to when you were writing before. Think of the times when it seemed easy for you to write or journal your thoughts and then you would turn those thoughts into chapters or content segments for your book. How did you feel when your writing just flowed so easily? By bringing up those memories, you can remind yourself of how to handle the situation in the future.
A few other tips to help you overcome your writing anxiety include taking a brisk walk, going to the gym, dancing until you drop, or performing a 100-star jump. Getting out of your comfort zone can help you develop new writing skills, so take advantage of that.
Can Google Help?
You can find out if you have writing anxiety by checking out Google Scholar’s list of hundreds of articles on the topic.
Can Candace Sinclair Help?
You can contact me, and together we’ll conquer this beast.
Okay, so get going. What will you choose to do first? Let me know in the comments!