Which writing project scares you most?
Humor me.
For one moment, let’s play pretend.
No, we’re not visualizing success. These prompts will help you find the scariest writing project you have. Trust me: there’s a method to my madness.
Pretend you have the writing ability you’ve always wanted.
Relax; there are no time constraints.
There’s no one around. No one to peek over your shoulder, to put down your ideas, or to make unkind comparisons.
In fact, your loved ones support you completely.
The weather is perfect; there’s no background noise or distraction.
You can write as easily as brushing your teeth, as putting on your shoes, as opening a letter.
Feel the confidence: you can simply sit down (like you always imagined authors did) and WRITE.
Feel that relaxed warmth in your heart? That calm surety?
Now answer this question: what story comes to mind?
That’s the one you should be writing.
I can hear you now: “Are You Crazy? That was just pretend! I still have all those problems!”
Yes, I know.
You don’t feel you have the skill, at least not yet.
You have crazy time constraints, life stresses, family issues, a day job.
The weather is probably Fubar. Peace and quiet are far away.
And confidence? Hahaha! What’s that even mean?
Yes, I know. I hear you. I have those problems, too.
Let’s go back to the question: the story came to your mind during this exercise is the one you need to write now. Yes, even though reality seems to be screaming “NOPE.”
I promise I’m not setting you up for failure. There is a method to my madness.
Why the Heck Should You Write What Scares You?
- When you write what scares you, you’re forced to face your weaknesses as a writer—and identifying them is the first step to overcoming them.
- When you write what scares you, you’re forced to find new ways to communicate the themes and journeys in your story—which makes your story deeper and your writing more vibrant.
- When you write what scares you, you find yourself occasionally up against temporarily “impossible” odds—which enables you to accurately and effectively show your written characters facing impossible odds, too.
- When you write what scares you, you grow as a writer.
“I’d heard writers say you should write what scares you, and it always seemed like a nice idea. But now that I’ve experienced it myself, I can tell you with absolute confidence that the fear is worth it. Acknowledge it, accept that your project makes you a little nervous, then write it anyway.
Because at the end of the road, when you’ve conquered your fear and have a shiny new WIP to boot, the feeling of accomplishment and wonder makes it all worth it.”
—Author Ava Jae
Maybe it’s a novel with a bigger premise than you’ve ever previously tried. Maybe it’s a memoir that shares things you haven’t shared publicly before. Maybe it’s short stories, when you’ve never managed to tell a brief, succinct tale.
Whatever it is, whatever writing project you have that scares you, you’re allowed to be scared.
But that doesn’t mean waiting until you’re not scared to write.
If you only write when you’re not scared, your growth will be slow.
If you write when you are scared, your writing will stretch you. If you’re afraid, it means you’re writing something that you actually feel—and that means it’s going to be more powerful than anything that doesn’t scare you.
Here’s your challenge this week: name the writing project that scares you.
Names have power. Naming something is always the first step to conquering it.
Is it a novel? Is it a new genre? A personal tale that you fear people might judge?
Or, if you’d rather keep it private, send me an email.
Face this mountain and name it. It’s time to tackle the writing project that scares you most.
