Writing to a bunch of strangers can be scary. You don't know who these people are, so you're nervous about how they'll perceive your work. It's hard for you to trust their judgment.
If you're a writer or want to become one, you know that sharing your work with others is essential.
In this post, I will be talking about the fear of writing to strangers and how to push past it.
Understanding the Fear
Writers may be afraid to share their personal feelings or experiences with others because they fear judgment. They're afraid they may be laughed at or insulted.
They don't know what to write. It's not always easy to come up with content on a regular basis, so they fear they may run out of ideas quickly.
The fear of writing to strangers can take away the writer's desire to write and create something beautiful.
And of course, they may be afraid of receiving harsh and negative criticism online.
Strategies to Overcome the Fear
Join writing communities
If you're afraid of writing online, maybe start small by sharing with a small group of writers in person. It's seemingly more comfortable than writing for many others online. Listen to your group and see what kind of feedback they give. If it's mostly positive, let it sink in and help you become more encouraged to write online. It's important to exchange ideas and gain new perspectives from others.
Keep your identity hidden
Whatever platform you're writing on, if allowed, you can use an alias as your username. In most writing platforms, you don't have to use your full name. It can be the funniest username ever created or the most mysterious. As long as it expresses who you are, it's perfect the way it is.
Start small
Break down whatever project you're working on into smaller pieces. This method lets you set clear milestones, track progress more effectively, and reduce stress. Also, dividing your work into smaller pieces can make you feel more accomplished with each task, urging you to take the next step.
Write for your eyes only
Before you share your work, make sure you practice your writing. If you want, you can first type your craft on a Word document. You can also write your words on a piece of paper or a notepad. Also, if you really want to practice writing online, you can set your settings to private and write whatever you want on a desired platform.
Be honest with your readers
Your first post can be a place to share your fears and insecurities. You never know who you might have encouraged. Your boldness can uplift others and motivate them to follow in your footsteps. Don't underestimate your words' impact. Someone out there might need them.
Conclusion
So, the next time you feel the fear of writing online to strangers, remember to do these things: join a writing community, keep yourself anonymous if needed, take baby steps, write for yourself, and be real with your readers.
Writing can lead to many open doors, such as more recognition, more income, and even more courage. I believe that the more you share your work online, the stronger your writing will become.
It will also help you come out of your comfort zone and open up to others. Kick that isolation to the curb and mingle with your fellow writers. There are plenty of writing platforms out there that will help you connect with writers: Wattpad, Medium, Substack, Vocal, Writing.com, Writers' Cafe and more.
Writing may be a deeply personal and often solitary activity, but sharing your work can be very rewarding. Never let fear stop you from doing that.
Thanks for reading! Hope this helps!
Bye!
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