Episode 158: Fear of Vulnerability in Writing: How to Publish Your Work Without Feeling Exposed
Writing is deeply personal, even when we’re not sharing our own story. Publishing a social media post, an article, or a book can leave us feeling exposed and unsafe, and sharing our personal stories can raise the stakes even higher. So how do we move forward?
In this episode, we get honest about why sharing our writing is scary and look at practical, faith-rooted ways to face the fear instead of letting it keep us silent.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why vague fears hold us captive and how naming exactly what we’re afraid of gives us something to work with
How to get honest, constructive feedback before you publish, and where to find the right people to give it
What it may mean if criticism feels soul-crushing, and how to bring that to Jesus
How to ease into sharing your personal stories, and why you don’t have to share everything
How to handle stories that involve other people, including why prayerful consideration and conversations with those affected come first
Why publishing gets easier the more you do it, and what it means to “do it scared”
Key takeaway: Fear isn’t a lack of courage. It just means a little more courage is required to move forward.
Reflection questions:
What, specifically, am I afraid of when I think about publishing my writing?
Who could give me honest, constructive feedback before I hit publish?
Where might I be looking to others’ opinions, rather than Christ, for my worth?
Resources mentioned:
The Writers’ Bloc online writing community (a place to find feedback partners)
Last week’s episode on getting specific about getting specific about what holds us back
Connect with me:
Visit amylynnsimon.com for coaching, resources, and to subscribe to the Pen Points newsletter.
The Purposeful Pen is a weekly podcast for Christian writers designed to help you build a writing life with eternal impact. Each week you’ll hear practical tips and Biblical truth on topics such as improving your writing, honing your message, and managing your time. I always respond to listener emails and I’d love to hear from you! Amysimon@amylynnsimon.com