The Journey of Writing a Novel:
The Challenge of Fears to Share Work
For many writers, the idea of letting others read their novels is terrifying. What if they hate it? What if it’s rejected? What if they say it’s badly written? What if it doesn’t sell? What if they judge me? What if the topic has been done before? What if someone steals it? What if the reader is disappointed?
Authors often face a variety of fears when it comes to sharing their work, especially with others, whether it be beta readers, editors, or the general public. These fears are deeply personal and can vary in intensity, but some of the most common include:
Fear of Rejection – The fear that others will not like or appreciate the work, leading to rejection from agents, publishers, or readers. Writers invest a lot of themselves into their stories, and rejection can feel like a personal judgment.
Fear of Criticism – The fear of receiving harsh or constructive feedback that could undermine the author’s confidence in their writing. Authors may fear that criticism will expose weaknesses in their work, making them question their abilities as writers.
Fear of Vulnerability – Many authors write about personal experiences, emotions, or sensitive subjects. Sharing this work can make them feel exposed or vulnerable. Writing can be an intimate act, and sharing that vulnerability with others can make writers feel like they are opening up too much of themselves to judgment.
Fear of Being Unoriginal – The concern that their work is derivative or too similar to other works in the genre, leading to accusations of lacking creativity. Writers often compare themselves to other authors, which can lead to feelings of inadequacy if they fear their work isn’t unique enough.
Fear of Rejection
Fear of Not Measuring Up – The fear that their writing won’t be on par with that of other, more established writers, or that it won’t meet professional standards. New authors often feel imposter syndrome, believing they lack the expertise or skill of others in the field.
Fear of Negative Publicity – The worry that their work will be misinterpreted, misunderstood, or receive negative reviews that tarnish their reputation. In the age of social media, authors can fear the public’s reaction, and a bad review or online backlash can feel like a blow to their identity.
Fear of Overexposure – The fear that revealing too much of their work could diminish its impact or spoil the surprise for readers. Authors may worry about giving away too many plot details, themes, or twists before the full work is shared.
Fear of Losing Control – The fear that once the work is shared, it’s no longer in their control, and they can’t dictate how it’s perceived or interpreted. Authors often form a deep attachment to their creations and want to ensure that they are received in the way they intended, which can feel difficult when it’s in others’ hands.
Fear of Failure – The fear that their writing won’t be successful or that they will be seen as unsuccessful as an author. Many authors dream of success and fear that failing to achieve recognition or sales will invalidate their efforts and dreams.
Fear of Disappointing Their Audience – The fear that their work won’t live up to the expectations of readers, fans, or followers. Once an author gains an audience or fan base, there can be pressure to meet those expectations, which may feel daunting or overwhelming.
These fears are natural parts of the creative process and can be overcome with time, support, and perspective. Many authors find that sharing their work and receiving feedback—no matter how difficult it may seem at first—ultimately helps them grow and improve as writers.
Fear of Failure
Here are some writers that shared these types of mental anguish to get through to the reader.
“I always have doubts. I mean, who doesn’t have doubts? If you’re a writer, and you’re not doubting your abilities, you’re probably not a very good writer.” ~George R.R. Martin
“You cannot take the writing seriously unless you are prepared to take the failure seriously.” ~Ursula K. Le Guin
“Writing is like mining for gems. You have to go through a lot of rock to get to the treasure.” ~Brandon Sanderson
“It’s always a risk. It’s always a gamble. And no one knows if a book will succeed or not. You can’t be sure. So, I’ve always gone in with that sense of trepidation.” ~Raymond E. Feist
“I think you should write in such a way that you can’t possibly believe what you’ve written.” ~Philip Pullman
To overcome the fears writers often face during the process of sharing and publishing their work, start small. Gradual steps can help mitigate the fear of failure. Share your work with a trusted friend or join a supportive writing group. Feedback is invaluable, and constructive criticism will help you grow as a writer. Treat rejection as a stepping stone. Look at feedback as an improvement tool. Focus on the reasons you write—whether it’s for self-expression, connection, or sharing a unique story. Know that writing is a lifelong process. Every project contributes to your growth. Your skill as an author will improve over time. Collaborate with editors, agents, or publishers rather than relinquish total control. Trust your instincts and avoid writing to please a specific audience or to follow trends.
By actively working on any of these strategies, writers can tackle the common fears associated with sharing and publishing their work. It’s important to remember that fear is a natural part of the creative process, but it doesn’t have to paralyze you. Through perseverance, self-compassion, and support from others, authors can overcome these fears and continue writing with confidence.
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JL Nich, Science Fiction Fantasy Author
