By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed […] he went out, not knowing where he was going.
— Hebrews 11:8, New American Standard Bible
fear
Creative Life Truths: Fear is Necessary
As a writer or artist, ruts come easily. The finished product may be good, excellent even, but it falls within acceptable limits. As an example: my poetry. My standard style employs short lines and couplets. I like it; it gives room for invention. However, it quickly becomes “du jour”—in graduate school, people could identify my poems by the lines, no name or signature required. The form grew restrictive, definitive.
How to Be a Better Writer: Accept Your Fear
Writing can be terrifying; publishing, more so. You come to the blank page, and expectations build. You’re supposed to put words down? What if they aren’t good words? What if you can’t find anything to write? What if nobody wants to hear what you have to say?
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I Should Be Terrified
I should be terrified about starting a business, but I’m not. Six months ago, I might have had some nervousness. A year ago? I would have been petrified with fear. The news about Tenacity5 winding down in three months would have been like staring into the eyes of Medusa—never a good idea unless one’s remembered to keep a reflective shield at the ready.
How to be a Better Writer: Get to Know the Terrain
Adaptation is the key to survival, and the first step to that adaptation is to know your terrain. Every environment you encounter will have its own set of rules. These rules must be studied and respected at all times. This respect will determine whether that terrain becomes your ally or enemy. — from The Zombie Survival Guide
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How to be a Better Writer: Do Something Scary
I have a problem with heights. I don’t much care for them. In particular, I don’t much care for being on the edge of them and looking down, down, down.
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