Wednesday 3 February 2016

February IWSG: New things are always the scariest...

Hello my lovelies! Welcome back to the Insecure Writer's Support Group - a monthly blog hop where writers across the internet get together to share their insecurities and encourage each other to keep going. The IWSG was set up by the fantastic Alex. J. Cavanaugh, and you can check out the official website/sign-up list here! I'm super excited to be co-hosting this month - every month I tell myself I'll visit more blogs, but I never seem to get round to it - but this month, I'm SO EXCITED to be visiting all you awesome people!


So, if I'm completely honest, my insecurities this month don't stem from my writing - BUT, if you're thinking of starting a new writing project, or even if you're just thinking about starting to write altogether, I think you'll know what I'm talking about. If you've been following my blog for a while, you'll know that the only writing I've been doing lately is when I've been working on my fantasy novel project - this is something that I'm writing just for me, with no intention of being published (yet). So there's no pressure to write, or to get it perfect first time, which is great.

However, over the past couple of weeks, I've been wondering about setting something else up - something that's (shock, horror), nothing to do with writing. It's actually to do with YouTube. Whenever I think about this particular project, I get super excited but equally...I'm terrified.

What if I'm a big failure? What if everyone hates what I do? What if I give up? What if I can't do it? What if the YouTube craze is 'over' and no one will care anymore? What if, what if, what if?

Are you noticing a pattern here?

But whenever these doubts creep in, I have to stop and reason with myself. How will I ever know if I'll be a success or a failure, if I don't even try? I've already failed.

So people might not watch my videos. So what? So I might get negative comments. So what? I'm a writer, I'm used to less-than-perfect reviews and I know how to handle them (i.e. don't take any notice of them).

Yes, it's super scary to put yourself out there - but you won't know what you're capable of until you at least try. And if you do fail? Does it really matter? All that means is that you're one step closer to finding the right method of writing, or career, or whatever it is you're searching for, for you.

I am so scared right now in case I fail. But equally, I will never know what could've been if I don't at least try.

I'm going to leave you with this quote that completely sums up how I've been feeling this week - it was completely incidental that I found it before writing this post, but I can't think of a more perfect quote to leave you all with:


What have you done lately that's scared you? How did you get over your fears? How's your writing going this month? What do you think of the new IWSG badge??

49 comments:

  1. Hi Rachel,
    I know exactly how you feel. When I started blogging I was terrified, literally got the shakes when I posted my first blog. But I also found a sort of reassurance in the idea that no-one was actually reading it (I know, not the point but...) I called it 'speaking into the void' and it gradually gave me the confidence to do it anyway and the thought that nobody might see it was quite freeing.
    So good luck, be brave - if you don't try, you'll never know!

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  2. Hello, Rachel. I love that quote. You'll never know unless you try. And I'm wishing you much success!!!!

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  3. Hi, Rachel, fear always seems to show up when something fabulous is on the horizon. It pays though not to let it take over. I'm in that state every time I come up with a new story, but I don't let fear stop me from moving forward.

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  4. Thank you so much for co-hosting. I think you are right. You will never know unless you try. Failure is overrated:) Don't you know you are made of awesome?

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  5. Yes, the fear of doing something new, outside your comfort zone, is a feeling every one goes through. Sometimes you just have to take a leap and maybe you might fly. My recent scare is setting up print on demand and getting people on fiverr.com to design the cover and convert the manuscript. I also questioned myself what if I choose wrong? What if I don't like their work? What if I'm just wasting my money? In the end I chose to do just do it. Thanks for co-hosting today!

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  6. What's the worst that could happen? If you're excited, go for it. Make those videos.
    Thanks for co-hosting this month!

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  7. You are going to do awesome on YouTube. Let us know when you're ready. Can't wait to see what you do, Rachel. Whatever it is doesn't matter. We've got your back. Thanks for co-hosting!

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  8. That's a great quote.

    It is scary to put ourselves out there, and I struggle with it every day, especially when I'm gearing up for a book release.

    Make your videos! Go for it!

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  9. I get ridiculously scared when it comes to dealing with the internet be it publishing a story on Amazon myself or making a YouTube trailer. It's silly. Do it anyway and see what happens. Hopefully we will all be in for pleasant surprises.

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  10. I was scared to join social media. Had no idea how much fun it could be until I tried. Same with self-pubbing my 1st book. Scared to death. I'm so glad I tried. Best wishes.

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    1. Forgot to say THANKS for co-hosting this month.

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  11. I say go for it! It may even make you want to write more--sometimes doing other creative things gets ALL our creative wheels turning. If nothing else, you'll have done something you really wanted to do and enjoyed.

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  12. A lot of writers I know, use YouTube and I watch loads of stuff on there. So go for it. You already have a viewer in me! It sounds like a lot of fun and as long as you have fun doing it, it will pay off. It's okay to feel the fear, but don't allow it to bog you down. You take control of it and turn into something fantastic. You can do it!!

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  13. Love the new badge and I've been nervous about some new responsibilities I've taken on in my writing groups. It feels like I'm doing too many things that take away from my writing time.

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  14. New badge is cool! I'm insecure about not repeating my past performance in writing. Every new book is a new journey in anxiety - will this be as good as the last? Thanks for hosting!

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  15. You are absolutely right, if you never try you have already failed. Our society seems take failure to be something bad, but it isn't. It took Edison about 1000 different attempts (failures) to perfect the light bulb. With each "failure" he knew what didn't work, what not to repeat. Failure is something that can make us grow, make us strong.

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  16. That is such a big part of success--going where you didn't think you could. When we succeed at activities we know we can do, the result isn't nearly as sweet. Good quote.

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  17. Hi,
    Good luck and I hope you go to the edge and jump off. You will fly, so all the best.
    Shalom,
    Patricia

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  18. Maybe all creative projects come with the same set of worries? You're right though - not having a go is the biggest failure.

    Good luck.

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  19. You'll never know unless you try. We all have to, and should, step out of our comfort zones and try something new. I bet your YouTube project will be a hit. Go for it!

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  20. I LOVE that quote! I've done so may terrifying things this past year since I published my first book that it would take too long to list them all. But terrified or not, I did them. And it was so worth it. Not trying is the only failure. When I need that push, I use the Nike slogan: "Just do it." Have fun with your YouTube project! As long as you like it and enjoy what you're doing, it's a success. Thanks for co-hosting!

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  21. You will always miss 100% of the shots you don't make.-Wayne Gretzky. Just saying.

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  22. "I am so scared right now in case I fail. But equally, I will never know what could've been if I don't at least try."

    --How very very true. And what a beautiful quote to end with. Good luck with your youtube videos!

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  23. As a person who likes to experiment everywhere, I totally know your excitement and fear. Best of luck!

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  24. I love your quote at the end of your post. Thanks for co-hosting. I am afraid I will never finish anything or publish, despite the fact I am working slowly toward that goal. I worry that no one will find what I have to say on my blog or my stories interesting or that I will connect with my readers in a way that keeps them coming back the way I do to authors I like. I have lots of fears, lol, but I keep at it anyway.
    Juneta Writer's Gambit

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  25. What a great quote and an inspirational message. It's scary to put ourselves out there but you are obviously super excited for this new project so I hope you decide to go for it! You're already a winner in my eyes.
    Thanks for co-hosting today, Rachel.

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  26. You will fail if you don't try! I say go for it. My IWSG post today was about life being short so you might as well do the things you want (outside of murder.)

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  27. I love the new IWSG badge. I posted it to mine straight away.
    Sounds like you've got a bad case of the 'what-ifs'. I'm not knocking you for that, I think we all suffer from that malady at one time or another. I say go for that youtube channel. It's something I've toyed with in the past. But, like my blog of years past, it never got any attention. Essentially I gave up, but I gave it a go. So I'm back to writing.
    I too write a series that I doubt will ever be published. I started to post some of it online, but have been thinking perhaps I should take it down, just on the chance I ever do want to try and get it published (once it's done I mean).
    Hope to see you stopping in for a visit. Keep up the good work with co-hosting!!!

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  28. I think you only fail if you don't try. If you're passionate about your YouTube channel and you enjoy doing it, then it's a success. Thanks for co-hosting this month. :)

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  29. You're funny! I think the YouTube idea sounds great! Lots of people are doing it. As long as you make it just "for fun," you're not really risking anything - so why not do it? Wishing you good luck on everything you do!

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  30. I would also be intimidated to start YouTube videos--I'm not great on camera--but I totally support YOU doing it! :) If the idea keeps coming back, maybe that's a sign.

    I've been practicing with graphics for promotion which makes me anxious sometimes.I'm no designer, but I have enough little things to promote for my promo chair roles with writer groups, plus my own upcoming stuff, so I've been learning. The Instagram community has been very helpful for this! I also submitted a proposal for something I am almost for sure won't pan out, but I wanted to put my hat in the ring for experience. We'll see!

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  31. You can do it, Rachel. To quote Yoda: Don't try, do!

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  32. Great post. Facing fears is always tough. I'm trying something different at the moment, but haven't yet shared it with the world. I wish you the best with You Tube. It's really great platform that I hope to master someday. Thanks for sharing and for co-hosting.

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  33. I'd rather fall on my face trying than to fail because I haven't tried. Thomas Edison said something like, "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that don't work." I love that! Never give up! Good luck on your YouTube project!

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  34. Yes, do go for it - there's only failure in not making the attempt. I keep trying to convince my husband to do U tube - he's a comic and doesn't know it. But he just laughs at me. Let us know how it goes!

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  35. I was feeling these insecurities all last month prior to the release of my second book. I was terrified. Thankfully the book is out and I am still here. I want to do you tube or Periscope too but the nerves. Hopefully next month we will have videos and all this insecurity will be behind us:)

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  36. Love love love that beautiful quote. Funny about YouTube. One of my IWSG posts was insecurity about making a video using my face on camera...not a slide presentation, but me actually talkng to all the IWSG. It was dumb, but I still put it out there for comments. And of course this group is always supportive. Lou Bortone has a lot of great stuff on making videos. Find him on....you know...YouTube. One comforting thought for you==you can delete those videos!!

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  37. I think it's a great idea!
    Go for it!

    Thank you for co-hosting!
    Heather

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  38. I wrote a song parody and got a singer for the first minute. Response has been positive and I intend to order the complete song later this month.

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  39. May you fly!! Thanks for co-hosting, Rachel!

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  40. May you fly!! Thanks for co-hosting, Rachel!

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  41. I get the fear, but the truth, too--the only true failure is to *not* try. Good luck! Happy writing!

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  42. The scariest thing for me was giving my chapter to my very first crit partner. I was sure she were going to be physically sick when she read it, but I knew it was necessary if I expected to get better as a writer so I closed my eyes and emailed it to her. There were numerous problems with the chapter, but my CP was so helpful I learned a ton. Whew!

    Thanks for co-hosting this month's IWSG bloghop.

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  43. Those what ifs are dangerous. I wish I knew how to stop playing with them! Good luck and thanks so much for co-hosting this month. :)

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  44. Good luck on delving into YouTube! I wouldn't have any idea how to make videos.. I barely have enough ideas for my blog, haha! But I do have this off-the-wall non-typical writing idea... it's my secret project of the year. :)

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  45. I agree with you that we will never know whether we are a success or a failure, if we don't even try. The least we can do is give it a shot. I like the idea of writing a book only for ourselves (that way there will be less pressure and anxiety).

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  46. What's "failing?" I'm guessing if you put a YouTube video up, you'll get some views...how many views will be "success" in your mind? If you only got a few views, nobody would ever know about it and you still would have tried something you've been wanting to try. So nothing ventured, nothing gained! I don't see how you'd have anything to lose with it.

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  47. Thank you for co-hosting the IWSG this month.
    There's a quote: better an oops than a what if.
    So take a chance. You'll never know if you don't try.

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  48. Go forward boldly. You've got this. You're going to have an amazing experiences, whether it flies or falls, and learn so much. Life is meant to be lived, eh?

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I love chatting and meeting new people :). Thanks for stopping by!

 
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