Comments on: How to Get Going When You’re Scared

By: Writers go to war – against fear | Cally Jackson Writes

Writers go to war – against fear | Cally Jackson Writes — Sun, 22 May 2011 10:43:42 +0000

[...] is not the only one persisting in the face of fear. Ali from Aliventures admits she gets scared whenever she tackles something new. For a long time, Ali thought that meant [...]

By: Ali

Ali — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 14:29:45 +0000

I’d urge you to stick it out for at least a few weeks. In my experience of creative writing classes, there are always a few super-confident people who seem to know everything … and quite a lot of people like you and me who sit there feeling nervous!

Screenwriting is a bit more technically involved than other kinds of writing, so it’s great that you’re actively moving towards learning more. If you do go into TV writing, I expect you’ll (at least sometimes) need to work with other writers, so getting used to speaking up now is great practice!

The first time I read out a piece of writing in front of a group, I was physically shaking. I still find it scary to share my work, but incredibly rewarding too. Give it a few weeks, and I’m sure it’ll start getting easier. And if you really aren’t enjoying it, there’s no shame in quitting — perhaps you’ll find a different class which suits you better.

Best of luck!

By: Jessica

Jessica — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 00:10:05 +0000

As a recent graduate I’ve been trying to figure out what to do with my life. For as long as I can remember I’ve wanted to be a writer. Unfortunately, I’ve spent most of my life trying to convince myself that it wasn’t a “proper” career choice. With the current state of the economy, nothing seems to be a dependable choice so I’ve finally started to give in to what I really want to do with my life. Yesterday I started a screenwriting class and left completely intimidated. Everyone seemed to know more than me. I’m so afraid to make a mistake or come up with a bad idea that I was thinking about dropping the class. What if I don’t have any original ideas? It doesn’t help that I’m quite shy and there is a lot of sharing involved in the class. I put so much of my happiness on the idea that I want to be a screenwriter (specifically a TV writer), that I’m afraid of failing and, consequently, losing that dream. After reading your blog, I’m inspired to stick it out, but there is still quite a bit of fear looming in the back of my head. Am I pushing myself into something I’m not ready for? Is that just an excuse to run away?

By: Ali

Ali — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 16:56:31 +0000

Oh, good luck! It sounds like a brilliant opportunity and I can tell you are excited about it I find that most of the worthwhile things in life are kinda terrifying as well as thrilling…

Just a thought about internet research … I expect people are much more likely to post about their worst moments (“I just knew I was going to get it wrong”) and about the exciting/adrenaline-pumping stuff (riding in an ambulance) rather than the normal run-of-the-mill stuff. Take it with a big pinch of salt! Is there anyone you can talk to or perhaps email to get a more “typical” view?

I find that once I start taking small steps, the fear becomes more manageable. Hope your visit to the rescue squad goes well.

And hope you’re in for an exciting time.

By: AJ

AJ — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 06:25:53 +0000

*go for it

By: AJ

AJ — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 06:23:09 +0000

Hi I’m facing a slightly different fear. I have been a stay at home Mom since 2005. I am now looking to become an EMT and may be starting classes as soon as January. At first I felt nothing but excitement about finally getting somewhere on the path to a medically based career. As with anything I do, I have been doing a lot of internet research about not only the class but the profession itself. There are a lot of instances where you are put totally on the spot and someone is just watching and waiting for you to make a mistake. Not to mention the clinical portion of the course where you work in the ER and ride on an ambulance. Just the thought of being in those situations makes me feel panicky! I’ve never been a public speaker and I’m starting to doubt my ability to enter this field. I wish I could just push past the fear and ego for it. The first step is visiting my local rescue squad tomorrow..

By: Hesitation is a Virus. Action is the Cure.

Hesitation is a Virus. Action is the Cure. — Wed, 19 May 2010 22:48:02 +0000

[...] When it’s time to make a decision on where you want to eat with a group, do you find it hard to pinpoint what it is you want? Does the group as a whole stand around humming and hawing – not a single person willing to take action? Finally, someone says ‘Let’s just go to Subway’ and then someone else says ‘No, I had Subway yesterday’… more time passes, someone tries to decide again, someone turns it down. You and everyone else is scared to make that decision. It’s okay to be scared – just know how to get over being scared. [...]

By: How To Be A Trail Blazer And Create Your Own Future

How To Be A Trail Blazer And Create Your Own Future — Fri, 07 May 2010 03:49:13 +0000

[...] Well, are you? Don’t be scared. [...]

By: Ali

Ali — Sat, 01 May 2010 18:02:48 +0000

I feel much better when I walk daily, too; the weather’s been nice recently and it’s been great to get out doors!

Hope you get successfully decluttered!

By: Farouk

Farouk — Sat, 01 May 2010 07:52:27 +0000

i agree with you Ali
its normal to be scared as long as fear doesn’t prevent us from doing what we intended to do