Tips for facing fear in writing about really personal stories?

Question

If you have written about something painful that has passed in your life...what things helped you get the experience on paper despite the difficult feelings? No bonus points for suggestions of alcohol, drugs, etc..

Answer 1

Don't think, just write.

Answer 2

It is entirely possible to write about bad experiences by just talking about what happened and some of the thoughts that occurred to you while, at the same time, keeping to yourself the things that were so deeply felt you prefer not share them.

You can fool the reader into believing you're shared by throwing out a few things that seem powerful and "sharing" while still keeping a whole lot to yourself. If the experience was painful enough to be an issue for you you have a range of things you can talk about. They may range in "power" from, say, 1 to 10. If you throw a few "Number 4's" into your writing (not all of them, just a few) you can lead your reader to believe you're being very candid when, in reality, they're only get a few Number 4's and no Number 1's, 2', or 3's. Some of your "Number 5's" may strike the reader as powerful, as will the blend of 5's, 6's, 7's, through 10's. So your reader gets plenty of candor and story without getting anywhere near everything.

Also, if you write about a painful experience only after you have processed it it is entirely possible that it has become nothing but a story to you (now that you have processed it emotionally and have made it nothing more than part of your history).

Answer 3

Ok, first of all, you need to make sure you dont write the story as if it were happening to you (ie, do not narrate the story, make it character driven)

Secondly, change names, places, cities, maybe even countries, this will take the issue away from you. I have personally done this (although my story isnt published it was just something i had to do)

Sometimes this doesnt work, and you NEED to write exactly how it happened. This isnt an exact science and different people react differently to stress and painful situations, you will need to figure out what is the best course of action for you. Experiment a little bit first. Write a paragraph each way and whichever is too painful switch to the other idea.

Answer 4

You asked for tips for facing fear. FEAR will settle for little things at first, and then it will proceed to knock down every dream or idea you ever have. When I feel that FEAR I am starting to get a feel for how much I am willing to invest knowing it's going to be a struggle. Sometimes I crash right into FEAR and find it an illusion, but other times I decide it's not worth the fight for me on that particular day. You can do it, or you can decide not to. It's your life Honey, and don't let anyone, especially Internet strangers, tell you what you can and cannot do. Be FREE!!!!
Good Luck!! Can I have an autographed copy? (I have a good feeling about you Kiddo) @8=)

Answer 5

Experience and success in writing comes only from working and studying a lot (as in everything). If you have something to say (or write), then say it many times, until you find the best way to say it.
And if you don't know how to say it (a way to say it), do not worry.
The human heart is essentially good and if you want to find a way, you will find it, in time, but not alone... you will need "help" (whether it is help from your family, friends, spouse, unknown people, or from other arts like literature-old, new, modern, classic, normal, not normal, science fiction, fiction, poetry etc-, movies, painting, sculpture... etc etc)

Answer 6

cry while you write it and use it as ahealing tool for yourself.
there aint no shame in crying hun, tears help let it out.
Also be honest in it.
Im wishing u good luck and sending you as many bravery vibes as i can.
Hope this helps

Answer 7

try to "depersonalize" the story i.e. change the names around and exaggerate or de-exaggerate things in the story