How to write without fear

As every religious leader, politician and writer knows, fear is a powerful motivator.

However, if you want to live long and prosper—or at least dread work a bit less—it helps to light more edifying fires under your caboose. Fear as fuel will get you only so far.

Drew Magary, formerly of Deadspin, wrote an essay recently on “How to write 10,000 words a week.” In the piece he offers pointers on how to stop fearing the blank page, and how to win the ongoing battle with productivity and creativity that we scribblers know all too well.

It all starts with an attitude adjustment.

Forget the notion of mastery

As Magary puts it, “Too many writers have been taught to be afraid of writing and have had their voices suppressed as a result.” Does that sound familiar?

Every writer wrestles fear, stress and anxiety, often to the point of incapacitating insecurity. The good news is that none of us are “masters,” and no one has this writing thing “figured out.”