You don’t have time.

You have too many ideas and find it hard to focus.

You don’t have a supportive community.

You don’t have the right space in which to create.

These are all the reasons you and I don’t create.

All are true and valid.

And, that’s only the partial truth.

Easier to keep your ideas 'out there' lined up for 'some day'


The truth is, you don’t create because you’re scared silly. You’re afraid you don’t have anything original to say. You’re afraid that despite your creative urges, you’re not good enough. You’re afraid that if you share your work with the world, you’ll be exposed as a talent-less loser.

How do I know? Have I peeked into the deep recesses of your creative unconscious?

No. I know because these are the fears that lurk in every writer I’ve ever coached, myself included.

Creating is scary.

The original impulse of an idea is fun, energizing, exciting. The actual path to executing and completing that idea is fraught with our very human fears.

I’m feeling pretty terrified these days

As I approach the publication of my novel Chasing Sylvia Beach (2012), I feel more and more fear. I’ve been working on this book for twelve years and it means a lot to me and my work.

I find myself having to fight off deep, deep fear at every step of the way. It starts in my chest, seizing my heart and rooting in my gut with an acidic and painful grip. The fear saturates my blood and rushes to my brain, convincing me to abandon the mission and go hide somewhere dark and safe.

I swear if I didn’t have coaching skills I wouldn’t be able to talk myself off the ledge of quitting. Luckily, I know how to soothe my nervous system and squelch my fears.

I also know that fear will accompany me every step of the way. If I didn’t care so much, I wouldn’t be afraid.

I believe that our creative work transforms us, and that these fears arrive to help us delve deeper, grow further, understand more about our own unique process.

Sure, you can work with a therapist to help you overcome your deeply rooted psychological issues (and I recommend you do) but adopting a creative course will give you much the same insights and opportunities for growing yourself as a person.

Grow despite fear and difficulty

Keep going despite the fear

Our passion and fear come in equal measure. How to keep going despite the fear?

Connect to your bigger mission, surround yourself with creative allies, and trust your creative impulses to help stay on track.

Here are a handful of books that have helped me choose commitment to my art over fear:

The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron

The Courage to Write by Ralph Keyes

The War of Art by Steven Pressfield

Enrolling allies

Coaching helps me and my clients continue on when the fear is too great. Sure, I help them arrange their schedules so they can write. I guide them to choose the projects that hold the most meaning for them, and to enlist help from creative allies.

But much of our work together revolves around eradicating fear enough to get the words out. I honor the brave souls who recognize that the external barriers to writing are only part of the reason we avoid creating.

Get help moving past your fears in my upcoming online course, Make Writing a Happy Habit. It starts October 31st [2011] and is the perfect way to settle into a successful writing winter.

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You can also sign up anytime for the Make Writing a Happy Habit six week self-study e-course from Cynthia Morris.

Learn about this and many more programs at her site Original Impulse



Cynthia Morris is a teacher, Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC), and author.

She says, "It's my life's work to help others navigate their creative journeys" and provides personal creativity and writing coaching, plus a wide range of coaching and programs for people who want to write, create art, cultivate leadership and realize meaning and balance in their lives."

A testimonial: “Cynthia, because of your encouragement and guidance, I’m watching my book go through the final production stages. I hired you as a writing coach, but you’ve been so much more. You’ve coached me through personal challenges as well. Your coaching is invaluable to anyone who wants to get things done and needs accountability. Thank you.” - Alyson B. Stanfield, Art Marketing Consultant, Author of I’d Rather Be in the Studio! The Artist’s No-Excuse Guide to Self-Promotion (available at her site Art Biz Coach).

Learn about the many programs and resources that Cynthia Morris provides at her site
Original Impulse

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Lower image from The Writers Store, which has a variety of online courses.

In addition to her book The Artist's Way, learn about the Julia Cameron Live online course.

The photo [related to video at top] of Nicolas Cage as screenwriter 'Charlie Kaufman' in the movie “Adaptation” (written by the real Charlie Kaufman, about some of his own creative anxieties) - is used in several of my posts, such as Creative Anxiety – Are You Procrastinating?

Also see multiple posts & articles on anxiety.

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