Friday Mash Up - Contestus Rightus

Announcements - I would like to welcome Brenda Drake to the Bump House. And, I would like to thank everyone for their wonderful comments this week. You guys make my writing life go round.

Jennifer Becton had a great article on writing without FEAR. Terri Tiffany posted an article about Winning Through Writing. And, if the issue has eluded, Writing Contests zagamine by Writer's Digest is on the B&N shelves. Also, Writer's Digest's latest issue details 27 agents looking for new writers.

On my contesting front, now the second thoughts are rearing ugly hair-do's. Will I? Won't I? Where did I screw the purple pony? Why, why did I submit that piece? *boo-boo face*

Oh well, it could be worse; right? Although, at this interchange, I am loathe to decide what worse is. Breathing, breathing - will. cry. later. Whilst I consider NaNoWriMo.

Have an awesome & productive weekend.

Happy Writing,

Patti

Thinkin' Thursday: Contest Paralysis

Fear. It is one of the most powerful motivators in our lives. According to Dictionary.com here's what we're looking at:

fear

–noun

a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain, etc., whether the threat is real or imagined; the feeling or condition of being afraid.

a specific instance of or propensity for such a feeling.

concern or anxiety; solicitude.

reverential awe, esp. toward god.

that which causes a feeling of being afraid; that of which a person is afraid.

 

Yesterday, I submitted a piece for a national contest. Normally, I would shake, rattle & hang on the verge of vomit. Not so this time. My palms didn't sweat; my stomach didn't quiver. Don't get me wrong, I am a big bundle of fear & self-doubt -  especially when it comes to hangin' my writing flag out there. That's why it struck me odd that I submitted & let go. No craziness, no second thoughts.

 

One of the meanderings rolling around in my brain was the fact that the piece, while I am very proud of it, is not me. Say again; IT'S NOT ME! It is a snippet in time, representative of the work I do. While I am not so altruistic as to say it doesn't matter if I win, I have taken the stance that what happens happens. I want to win, I hope I win, but I will survive if I don't. At the end of the day, I have learned something about my work & myself. And that, friendlies, is well worth the fee.

 

Here's the question: How do you deal with fear in your writing career? Have you found ways to turn it into a positive? If so, how?

 

Happy Writing,

 

Patti