The Last Step - Courage in Creativity

If you want to write, there is one characteristic that you need.

Courage.

Writing is not a lone wolf undertaking. Though writing is inherently very personal and difficult to share, a writer who works alone will not develop and progress in the craft. Community is pivotal for support, feedback, insight, and encouragement. A lack of courage severs the process of growth.

This lack of courage is what held me back from my own growth as a writer for so long. I was simply too afraid to share what I had written. I understand, it's hard to share when all of those nervous questions pile up.

• What if they don't like it?

• What if it isn't any good?

• What if they think it's strange?

• What if I'm not ready?

But such questions leave no room for growth, and it is courage that will free the writer from the endless cycle of self-doubt and fear.

I though that seriously pursuing my self-publishing dreams would be the most courageous decision that I would have to make in the month of March. I soon discovered that I was wrong. 

On March 14th I participated in a writers open mic night at a local coffee shop. 

It's one thing to sit behind a screen and declare, "I'm a writer!" It's another to stand before a group of strangers and read an excerpt of my own writing.

But you know what?

I did it.

And it was scary. And wonderful. And amazing.

It was what I needed. I needed to grow in my courage, in my ability to be honest with my writing and learn with a community of writers who love the written word. 

A writer does not live in a vacuum. The courage to share is invaluable for growth.

So writer, be courageous!