F.O.F. is Stalking Me

   At first everyone believes their manuscript is awesome.  We all believe our work is destined for greatness.  Of course that big-name agent and publisher will want you.  And they’ll shower you with money, convinced that you’re the next “big thing.”  But then, there are those of us who have gotten past that initial phase.  We have been brought back down to reality by the weight of all the rejections hanging on our wall (or filling our email box).  This is when F. O. F. can set in.  I am ashamed to admit I have caught this terrible condition.

F. O. F.  Otherwise known as Fear Of Failure.  Here are some trademark behaviors you might experience if you have this terrible condition:

Second guessing yourself

Constantly asking your friend- “So you liked it?  You really liked it?  I thought this part was boring, but you really think it’s okay?”  This is where you’re trying to build up your self-esteem.

If you are pushing procrastination to it’s limit.

Re-reading your query/synopsis/ manuscript again for the 100th time, even though many friends have already helped edit and say its great.

Fear of the button.  The left-click button that is hovering over “send.”  You’ve come this far, but it would still be easier to turn off the computer right now than get another rejection.

 I thought I had grown past F.O.F.  I thought all my previous rejections had given me that diamond-tough skin all authors need to make it in the publishing business.  But I was wrong.  Fear Of Failure is still there, trying to hold me back.  So what helps me thorough it?  My writing groups.  If you don’t belong to one then find one, or get some friends together.  Set goals and take them seriously.  When I start second-guessing myself they lift me up.  When I start asking them if my manuscript’s really okay they say “Yes, you idiot.  Get it out there, you’re wasting time!”  And then, when the rejections start rolling in, have a contest.  See who can get the most. The loser buys ice cream for everybody, or something. 

    The important thing for someone suffering from F.O.F. to do is to try.  If you don’t try, yes, you won’t get any rejections.  But you won’t get any acceptances either.  What if you lost that dream just because you didn’t push “send?”  I just refuse to be that weak, and I hope all you other F.O.F. sufferers will stand up to this condition and say “No more!”   Okay, maybe I’m being a little melodramatic.  But you get my point.