BellaOnline Forums Career Fiction Writing Another great article!

Another great article, Elle, on confronting your fears as a writer . The other day I was reading something about author Alice Sebold, and I think she was plagued by all those fears after she published The Lovely Bones.

First there was that fear of pressure because she had the two-book contract like you mentioned. Then there was fear of success and fear of lack of time. At one point she thought she'd probably never write another novel again because pressure and curiosity were so great over what she would write after The Lovely Bones.

Then, this year, she came out with Almost Moon, and literary critics everywhere are crucifying the book. Plus, there's that fear of exposure you mentioned: everyone thinks the book is about Sebold and her mother. It's a tough world out there for writers!

Thanks Karm

You're very welcome!

I never thought of fears really when I sit down to write, except for one.

I have been writing one book for the better part of twenty years, off and on and I am afraid that I may never finish it.

I have completed the manuscript several times but when I start to proofread it, I wind up not liking it and instead of just changing some things in it, I wind up chucking the whole thing and then it takes me awhile... a long while, before I can start it again.

I then start on another novel and soon, the one that I chucked, starts to weigh heavy on my mind and that I should go back to writing it.

I guess what I need to do is just write it and get some unbiased eyes to look at it because I am my own worst critic and I will never complete anything that way.

How about you guys? Do you proofread your own stuff and are you able to do it with unbiased eyes?

I agree -- great article!

I have a long list of fears that I am trying to conquer...

I have written 3 history books now, and am now tackling my biggest fear -- WRITING FICTION!

I feel it is something I *have* to do, to continue growing as a writer, but I have doubts about my fiction writing abilities. I am working on my first novel now, and have a few short stories under my belt.

I asked my current editor for some advice, but he had none, since he is a history editor. I know it will take me more than a year to complete my novel, because I have a full time job as a museum curator. I want to start figuring out some of the process now, so I know what I am getting myself into.

I have based a few of my characters on people I know, most notably my in-laws, who are just SO ripe for harvesting! They do the strangest things, and are quite character. I fear I will be disowned from my husband's family if my novel is ever published, but the material is just too good to ignore!! :-) (Most days, being disowned seems like a GOOD thing!)

Kim Kenney
Museums Editor
Married No Kids Editor

I write about childhood or about imaginary people to avoid this problem! Chicken - yes I know!

Kim, do have a look at the libel thread here before you get too involved in writing a novel based on real people. If you don't get on really well with them, I highly recommend disguising the characters thoroughly. Some people can behave quite strangely when something about them gets published, or if they think you are making money off something they did.

I did read about libel here.

I doubt they will recognize themselves. I have made the characters pretty different from the real thing in some significant details, but some of the situations might remind them of conversations we've had, or evil things they've done to me... :-)

Judging by the fact that none of them have even read my 3 other books, I'm doubting they'll pick this one up either.

Kim

Revenge is sweet.

I went through a series of weird situations with some people I thought were my friends. These are the type of stories no one would ever believe actually happened - when I think back on it, it reminds me of a soap opera storyline... so - I'm hoping that one day I will have a chance to whisper in a producer's ear. I'm really curious to see how someone else will interpret what happened into a plot.