Every single time I sit down to write something — whether it’s a novel chapter or fundraising copy or an email to a colleague — I feel a moment of fear:

• Can I do this?
• Will people respond to it?
• Am I too ambitious?
• Am I good enough?
• What if I can’t?

Fear can be paralyzing. In its most severe forms, it causes (or at least contributes to) writer’s block. Even when it’s relatively well controlled, it can slow me down, inspiring a hundred suddenly urgent web searches or yet another load of laundry.

I’m not alone. I asked my fellow Pennies if they, too, felt a big blob of fear when they sat down to write.

Rebecca: I definitely think the amorphous fear you’re talking about is a thing. I can get really stressed out on my freelancing projects over whether articles are good enough, whether I’m taking too long to get them done and costing the small, entrepreneurial company I work for more than I should, and whether the article will rank on Google and find us clients. 

Halli: yes! I feel all of that — I am right now as a matter of fact.

But as writers on deadline, we don’t always have the luxury of giving in to the fear. We have to sit down and do the work no matter what. So why are we so afraid of it? And how do we conquer the fear and keep going?

It turns out, there are legitimate reasons for that fear. Creative work is full of uncertainty. Our brains, of course, don’t like uncertainty one bit. Scientific studies show that most people — even those of us who report valuing creativity highly — have inherent biases against creativity. We like order, routine and predictability, all of which make us feel safe.

Creative work is anything but predictable. It is chaos, a deliberate letting go of control and allowing ideas to bubble up from somewhere deep inside. It is allowing yourself to be vulnerable. All that is frightening.

Well, never fear! There are a lot of tools and tricks you can use to work around these uncomfortable feelings — or even embrace them! — and get things done:

Consult the experts. I found this list of books from those who’ve studied fear and creativity, but there are a ton of resources out there. Artists have reflected on the relationship of fear to their work for as long as they’ve been making art, and their journeys can help inspire you. Speaking of books, one that I read years ago that continues to help me move past my own fear is Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway. I remember very little of the specifics, but the title has stuck in my head and is a great mantra for those days when fear threatens to overwhelm my creative work: it’s fine to feel afraid…but don’t let it stop you.

Start small. Instead of thinking about the whole project I’m sitting down to write — whether it’s the next chapter in my novel, or a piece of copy for a client — I try to break it down into smaller chunks. A tricky transition, maybe, or just one conversation or argument. 

Set a timer. This is my favorite trick of all time! Setting a timer for a short burst — 15 minutes is my go-to — helps take my mind off the fear I’m feeling. I can focus on anything for 15 minutes! By the time the timer goes off, I’m usually immersed and can continue writing for much longer. (Bonus: the timer also keeps me from wandering off to take care of the laundry!)

List tasks and check them off. I love a good check-off list in general, but it also helps me beat creative fear by focusing me on the tasks I need to do. When I start a chapter, I often make a bulleted list at the top of the page to remind me of what that chapter needs to accomplish, and I cross off each item as I take care of it. 

Rewards! I am not above bribing myself. Cookies are fun — at my house, we instituted Cookie Friday to reward ourselves for making it through each week — but if you’re fighting the pandemic pounds or just not that into sweets, try a calendar with sticker rewards, or an episode of your current binge-watch in exchange for an equal amount of writing time.

Count writing time differently. If you’re freaking out about the actual writing, make sure you count as writing time the plotting you did on your walk or the thorny conversation you worked through in the shower. When you start allowing yourself to view non-writing time as writing, there’s less pressure on the time you spend with butt in chair. 

Change your writing routine. Coffee shops have been to-go only in my area for more than a year, but I used to snag a table and a latte and let the change of scenery push me past the fear. If the blank page frightens you, try dictating and transcribing to get your words down. I have a standing desk in my backyard writing shed, a comfy chair and ottoman in the living room, and a get-to-work seat at the dining room table that all serve as my writing spots and bring out different aspects of my creativity.

Get physical. Yoga can help mellow out your brain, quieting the fear response. I will often find myself more productive and much less fearful after a good kickboxing workout — if I wear myself out, the words flow without a big dam of fear trying to stop them. Long walks are great, too. If exercise is difficult, try opening a window or sitting outside for a few minutes so you feel that fresh air on your skin — a soothing reminder that fear can’t stop you from forging ahead. 

It’s helpful to understand why we feel afraid to be creative, but the bottom line is: we have to find ways around that fear in order to do this thing that we love to do.

Do you find there’s a relationship between fear and creativity in your writing? What tips to you have for overcoming your fear and tackling your work? Let us know in the comments!