My story is gonna be "published" but i am very scared

hey everybody,

i really love writing and its my biggest dream to publish a book one day. the only problem is that i am scared as hell for criticism. i find it incredibly hard and scary to let anybody read my work. even very close friends and family are not alowed to read anything. i really want to overcome this fear so i can share my writings, but its not easy.

a few weeks ago i found a writing-competition on the internet, and i wanted to send something in. it had to be about a party, so at first i didn't really know what to write. I didn't want to make a happy and normal party story, because i thought it wouldn't be interesting and i wanted to be a little original. so i decided two write about a party, but i choose the perspective of someone with social anxiety. i focused on how hard it can be to push yourself to do something like going to a party, and i wanted to describe the crippling fear of people. It was really personal, but for some reason i wasn't really scared to send it in. it is easier with people i don't know, for some reason.

i dind't really think about it anymore, i didn't think i would win, but in the end, i did, and my story is gonna be published together with the other winners.

its not really a big deal, its nog a very famous thing or anything, there where 418 entries, and 100 of them are published, so there was a really big chance of winning.. but i was still really happy that they seemed to like my story, and that i had won.
after some time, however, i got really scared. i just realized that people are gonna READ someting that i made. something personal. don't get me wrong, i don't regret sending in my story. i think its important for us, people with SA, to tell the world what we are going through. but its still really scary, i am trying to hide myself from everybody for my whole life, and with bringing out this story i show a part of me that nobody knows. i want to do this, i want to show the world what i can do, what i can make. but i wish there was a way to stop the fear. do you guys have any tips for me?

Congratulations. I think this is really awesome. I don't know how to help you but I just feel the need to post.

hey firstly congratulations on going for it my advice would be just to think positively...everything you do in life may be criticized but you have to try and see past that maybe someone will read your piece and realize it sounds similar to them...you could help people through it, make them know they aren't alone

Writing is very subjective, you know, and there's a lot of variety in what even a single writer creates. Even Stephen King faces criticism, so there's no reason you shouldn't be allowed to write something that has both merit and flaw like the rest of us.

This is awesome news, you should be proud of yourself
What are you afraid the MOST?

Thanks for all your nice reactions.

I think im just mostly afraid of criticism. I am really critical on my own work, and if anybody gives me criticism I immediately lose all faith in myself. I know that criticism is a good thing and that even really good artist have to reseve it, but my insecurity doesn't seem to believe that.

Just remember that everyone approaches written work differently, just as they would a standard canvas painting. They bring their own likes, dislikes, preferences, and personal experiences along with them, and there's not a single piece ever written that all individuals enjoy.

It's enough that you strive to put together the best work that you, as a single person, possibly can. Any 'criticism' that you get should simply be viewed as that individual's opinion, and it's simply up to you to decide whether their views should trump your own.

Uh... unless they're an English-major and talking about grammar. Then you should probably take them at their word.


There are also sites out on the interwebs where you can put your works up and get feedback, like Wattpad or Goodreads, for example. It's fairly simple to find someone who can give fair, constructive opinions without being too harsh, as well.


Still, good on you for sending your story in. Winning or placing highly would give any writer some confidence, so at least take heart in the fact that you've got talent for putting down something that others have enjoyed. ^^

I won a writing contest before. My writing wasn't published, but I got 2 tickets to a "rich people" dinner and I met one of the senators of my state. It was really, really scary at first, especially when they put me on the big screen to congratulate me for winning, but in the end it wasn't that bad. I'm sure you're going to feel the same way a little while from now.

jellzzz said:

Thanks for all your nice reactions.

I think im just mostly afraid of criticism. I am really critical on my own work, and if anybody gives me criticism I immediately lose all faith in myself. I know that criticism is a good thing and that even really good artist have to reseve it, but my insecurity doesn't seem to believe that.

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You define yourself by your values!
You are not what you have been told you are!
You are who you are because you are living in alignment with your VALUES!
You will have naysayers and haters no matter what a great job you do.
Look at the most successful people out there, they are loved by many people but so they are hated, for no reason by people who have either accomplished nothing or just jealous.

Assume Value and Keep Rockin' it