I've Got Atychiphobia. What About You?

I haven't started writing yet (or plotting!), and I find myself stuck. No, not by writer's block. Something even worse, in my opinion.

I'm scared of failing. Of being rejected, again.

To give you an update, I've pulled AFTER ALICE from the querying trenches and placed it safely on the shelf. Lots of rejections later, I realized my manuscript wasn't as ready to face the publishing guns as I thought.

Now, as I begin to plot THESE WICKED WATERS, I keep putting the actual planning off. I always find something else to do. Clean, pin on Pinterest for inspiration, mess with my newly short hair...

The list goes on and on. I'm aware of what I'm doing. And even more aptly aware of my procrastination's sickly cause.

Hello, atychiphobia: the fear of failing.

Being afraid of failure before actually starting something is irrational.

Tell that to my fingers who refuse to type when I want them to.

I know, in the end, I'll conquer my fear of failure and write. How, you ask?

I've got a strict schedule set before me with an actual deadline. It's the only thing I can think of to give me a much needed shove into writing again.

Ready?

January 31: Finish plotting THESE WICKED WATERS (TWW)

February 1-28: Write TWW in its entirety

March 1-8: Take a break and seek out Beta readers

March 9-18: Edit TWW

March 19: Pass out TWW to Beta Readers

March 19-May 30: Word on editing AFTER ALICE & SHATTERED

May 31: Get TWW back from Beta Readers

June 1: Begin edits on TWW

July 31: Submit TWW & SHATTERED into Critique My Novel's annual contest

Phew. Just looking at all those dates and tasks refocuses my attention. Forget failure, I'm going to be busy!

So, maybe you're struggling with atychiphobia. If not in writing, another area of your life. Don't let it control you. Give yourself a challenge with accountability partners. In my case, the contest deadline.