Writing in Public is Nerve-wracking. Here are some things to think about.

Photo by Etienne Girardet on Unsplash

It’s no secret that fear can often hold us back from achieving our goals. Fear of failure, fear of the unknown, and fear of being judged can cause us to hesitate or procrastinate when it comes time to take action. And this hesitation can lead to bad decisions and poor execution. When it comes to writing, fear is often the root of most bad writing. This article will explore some ways that you can overcome your fear and improve your writing skills.

“I’m convinced that fear is at the root of most bad writing. If one is writing for one’s own pleasure, that fear may be mild — timidity is the word I’ve used here. If, however, one is working under deadline — a school paper, a newspaper article, the SAT writing sample — that fear may be intense.” (Stephen King, On Writing)

New writers, myself included, have issues with vulnerability. We tend to hide behind the anonymity this Medium (haha) provides. This helps reduce the fear, but there is still some hesitation. We hesitate to write truthfully. We are afraid of being judged. We are afraid that people won’t understand us or care about our points. It’s okay to be nervous when you put yourself out there, but this is something I’ve been working on recently. I am more open with my thoughts on Medium than I have ever been anywhere else, which is why I was really excited start the daily writing journey over forty days ago.

Stephen King, in his memoir On Writing, warns would-be writers that once you commit to being truthful in your writing, “your days as a member of polite society are numbered.” This is both nerve-wracking and satisfying. Once you get passed that point where pursuing truth is more important than being nice, I can see how it can become satisfying. I am not at that point. I am not sure when that time will come.

But I want to get there. To get there, you need to put yourself out there, whether it be on Medium or other social media platforms. If you are feeling vulnerable, maybe read something by Ryan Holiday. Here are some tips I think may work.

1. When you’re writing in public, it’s important to be aware of your surroundings and the people around you. You cannot say anything you want without consequences. This understanding forces you to be creative in your message.
2. It’s also important to be aware of your own energy and how it might be affecting others. Different people receive the same words differently. You cannot please everyone, but it is something that deserves your thought.
3. Be conscious of the words you choose — they can affect other people in a variety of ways
4. Make sure your writing is respectful and considerate of everyone involved. This may mean staying away from contentious topics at the early stages of your writing career or hobby.
5. Take a step back and assess how you’re doing — are you getting reactions from others that you didn’t intend to create? Adjust your approach. Pursue less controversial topics while you figure out your voice.

Writing in public is difficult and as many writers there are on Medium today, it is still a drop in the bucket compared to what it could be. Longevity in writing, I think, starts with treading lightly.