How can I get over my fear of rejection and start writing the articles I have so many ideas for?

Answer 1

just write it and if you do get rejected learn from it. You will start to get better at it and you wont even know it.

Answer 2

Yeah, I completely understand where you are coming from. I've been in that position before.

Start a journal, a blog, anything that gets you in the habit of daily writing -- it has to be casual writing or you may just quit. The habit of daily writing can help build confidence. You should start out with the idea that your daily writing is to be unedited and flows from you. After a while you can format it a bit, play around with it, etc. But at first, it should be just stream of consciousness.

Let me just leave you with a concept I read about in a book called "Art and Fear." A pottery class was given two options for receiving an "A" in the class: either be graded by quality or quantity. You either needed to produce just one perfect pot or simply produce a large number of pots. In the end, guess where the most perfect pots came from? The people who were being graded on quantity.

Because they had made so many pots, the quantity group had practiced enough to really be able to make at least one flawless pot. The other group had some people who didn't produce ANY pots at all. Every time they perceived a flaw, they scrapped the one they were working on.

The point here is that repetition breeds ability and confidence. Daily writing can help overcome fear of rejection by showing you that you can do it.

Answer 3

Once you get a few rejection letters, it'll get easier.

But is the problem really a fear of rejection? Or is it really that you have ideas for these articles, but don't have the confidence you can actually write them?

If you are writing them, but not sending them to magazines, then you may be asking the right question. Maybe get a friend to act as your agent for you? Write the articles but have your friend actually mail them off without telling you. Just keep giving your friend more articles and don't worry about what happens to them.

But if you're not even writing them, then I have to wonder if you're asking yourself the right question. Are you afraid of rejection, or are you not writing for another reason?

Answer 4

Ok, I know you've already gotten some good answers. But, I'm answering anyhow.

I started writing as a little girl: short stories, poems, plays. As I got older, I continued to write and took creative writing in college.

I gave up writing over 20 yrs. ago because I was sure I wasn't very good, and didn't have anything meaningful that people would want to read.

Two years ago, a friend convinced me to join a local writer's group that she belonged to, and I started going (still do go). That was the key that opened the door to the notion that yes, I really could write and was good at it!

Last fall, I applied for and got a free-lance position as a weekly local columnist for a newspaper.

Don't be afraid..just write, continue to write, rewrite as best you can. Maybe join a writer's group or take a class.

Don't give in to fear. Rejection can make you stronger, but you can't be rejected unless/until you try!!

Answer 5

Write them...even if you don't do anything with them at first. The more you do something; the better you get at it. Do what writers do..."write"....you can worry about sending them out later...when you are ready. Be prepared for the rejection letter...it doesn't mean the article isn't good...it just means they can't use it. Use Writer's Market for ideas on where to send your material. Sometimes, it comes down to matching up the right article with the right publisher. Consider getting a literary agent...and let them handle it for you...then you don't have to worry about it...and if one comes through; you will be very pleased. I have no interest in the business side of writing...I just "write". You might produce a real gem that you recognize as some of your better work...and then feel confident enough to submit it.

Answer 6

stop thinking about the reviews and write it for yourself. write it because there is a story to tell. write it because you feel strongly about it. write it because only you can do it justice. write it to prove to yourself that you're good at it.

writing anything just because you want approval is not the motivation for creating valuable work. writing with only the idea of hoping to sell it is not motivation for creating valuable work.

examine the reasons you feel the need to write - list them if it helps, then concentrate on those facts and ideas. that will help you overcome the fear of rejection, because you'll cease trying to please an audience that will never be totally accepting.

some people will embrace what you've written, and some will reject it. that will always be a hard core fact. look beyond that for your impetus.

write them for yourself, first.

Answer 7

Well, think of it this way. You have nothing to lose!! You'll only be in the same place you started if they don't get published. Besides, you need something in the first place to be rejected, right? So why fear?

Answer 8

"I do not write for reputation or honour. What the heart feels, must come out..." ~ Ludwig Van Beethoven.

Beethoven was one of the world's greatest musicians. Though he hardly ever wrote, I guess his opinion on expressing yourself was awesome.

Writing should be poetic and original. If it is influenced by criticism , then it wouldnt be a creation. A creation is something that's free from any kind of conditioning , otherwise its just a replication.

Believe in your thoughts and feelings...more than that, believe in your intentions to express what you feel.

Answer 9

If you haven't even written anything yet I don't think fear of rejection is your major problem. Thats a problem for after you have done some work!

Answer 10

Just write the articles. When you write, you should write for yourself, not other people. If we happen to enjoy it, great. Just write forself.