Worst Fears by Gale Cox
Worst Fears
By Gale Cox
As an author I have two
main fears. One, that
the words will just stop
coming one day and I’ll
never write again, and
two, that no one will be
interested in what I
write, meaning I won’t
sell a single book.
There are days,
sometimes weeks at a
time where I just can’t
get the words to come.
I’ll sit in front of my
computer staring at a
blank document
because I either can’t
organize the words and
characters jumbled in
my brain to put to
paper or the words just
escape me. Writing is
an integral part of my
life and when I can’t
seem to do it, it can be
quite worrisome and
frustrating. What if the
words just stop, what if
I never write again? In
those times, I find if I
just don’t push, step
away and don’t try to
force it, eventually it’ll
all become clear and at
some point the words
just start to flow and
when they do, oh, what
an awesome feeling it
is!
The other fear that
resides in me and
seems to be a constant,
especially when I’m
done writing a book, is,
what if no one likes it?
What if everyone hates
it and I don’t sell a
single copy? I know it’s
an insecurity on my
part but the fear is so
real, it’s almost
tangible. Until that first
copy is sold, I fret and
wonder, what if it
doesn’t sell? What if it’s
terrible and I’ve made
a huge mistake? Then
that first book sells and
the fear eases.
I don’t think I’m unique
in these fears and I’m
sure every author has
some version of the
them. I believe that’s
why it’s especially
helpful to find author
buddies and friends to
talk and share with to
help ease those pesky
fears.