Turn Your Writing Fears into Characters

Transform your fears into characters to diminish their power

Photo by Justin Lim on Unsplash

Feeling like an imposter when you pick up the pen?

You’re not alone.

Anxieties can cripple your writing process, making it hard to get words on the page. But there’s a better way. Instead of letting your fears dominate your thoughts, you can turn them into quirky characters in your stories.

Humor can be a powerful tool to transform fear into creative fuel. Here’s how to do it.

Name Your Fears

First, give your fears names.

Imagine them as characters in your story. Naming your fears takes away some of their power and makes them more manageable. For example, if you’re afraid of rejection, name that fear “Nervous Ned.” If you worry about failure, call it “Anxious Andy.”

By naming these fears, you start to see them as separate entities rather than a part of yourself.

Give Them Quirks

Once you’ve named your fears, give them quirks.

Make these characters vivid and memorable. Maybe Nervous Ned has a habit of biting his nails and always wears mismatched socks. Anxious Andy might stutter when he talks and…