You’re better than that.

Fear seems to be an ever-present bedfellow of the writer, but that doesn’t mean it has to control you. Instead, learn to cozy up to your fears, figure out what makes them tick, and then kick them unceremoniously to the curb.

Here are some ways fear has worked its tendrils into writer me in the past:

What if I spend years writing a book, and it is still complete crap?

What if I like a book I’ve written, and it turns out I’m the only one?

What if people like my stories, but they don’t like me?

What if I’m completely irrelevant in the scheme of things?

What if I never have success with my books?

What if people like my romance books because of the sex, and they hate my fantasy work?

What if people don’t give my fantasy books a chance because they were turned off by the sex in my paranormal romance?

What if I’ve built the wrong audience by publishing paranormal romance first?

What if no matter how long I’m at it and how much effort I put in, people still don’t know my name?

What if (something) happens and I can’t write, or don’t have time to write?

Guys…these are just examples. I’ve been devoted to the writing craft for nearly a decade, and I’ve loved story-telling since I was a kid. I have two books out there in the world, and another I’m about to release into the wilds. Still, every day I have to banish these sorts of thoughts. Some days that is harder than others. But every moment I spend stuck on fear is another moment I am not moving forward. Letting fear have the upper hand is not an option. Every day, I must try to choose success — in the form of productivity — over fear.

Every day I’m faced with that choice. Will I listen to the fear today? Say no with me.