How to Beat Publishing Anxiety and Produce Your Best Work Yet

Tips for being comfortable and confident with the work you are producing

I’ve never been someone who likes to stand out. I’ve always been a background player.

When I started writing, I learned quickly that if I wanted to succeed in my dream career, I had to be willing to put myself out there.

I think most writers are their own worst critics. Especially when we’re new to the game. Writing to me is not only a career but a lifestyle. It has improved my world in countless ways. I have a new confidence in myself that I never possessed before.

Writing has empowered me.

However, it wasn’t this easy in the beginning. I had a bad case of publishing anxiety, especially when it came to social media.

I feared that my friends and family would think I was a joke, an imposter, that I was going to fail or burn-out. I would picture people saying, “She thinks she can write? Who is she kidding?” I was terrified of criticism.

Facebook was my “mountain to climb.” I’ll never forget the day I shared my first article: “Effective Communication With Your Doctor When You Have a Chronic Illness.”

This post was my coming out to the world as a writer, and it was terrifying.

I was pleasantly surprised when my article resonated with my friends, family, and even total strangers. I can’t thank them enough for the kind words of encouragement I received during this period of uncertainty.

That was my struggle, I have gotten over this fear and you will too.

Many other writers I’ve spoken to who write on Medium have also expressed a great deal of anxiety about pressing the publish button. They’re amazing writers, but the fear of rejection lingers in their minds every time they press that bright green button.

The pressure of curation, publishers, and other writers reading your work can be daunting. However, if you over-read and over-edit your content, your writing can become stiff. I’ve done this, and I have pieces that sound straight-up robotic as a result.

“While writing is like a joyful release, editing is a prison where the bars are my former intentions and the abusive warden my own neuroticism.” ― Tiffany Madison

So how do we relinquish control, find confidence in ourselves, and let our work shine without fearing rejection?

It takes a lot of mental preparation, but it’s worth your time to conquer this fear so you can enjoy what you do even more.

Why Do We Have Publishing Anxiety?

You worry that your life is too mundane to write about

When I first found Medium, I went on the site as a reader. I was so impressed by the quality of content and the caliber of talent here. Also, many authors on here have very harrowing true-life stories, and my life is pretty mundane, or so I thought.

In the beginning, I feared that people would be bored with my content. How was I supposed to compete with stories about having a child via an affair or tracking gorillas in the jungle?

I felt I had nothing to offer until I began to dig deeper into my life. My life is definitely more entertaining than I thought, and yours is too.

You have many stories to tell, and people want to read them.

You have to be willing to break into your memory bank and unpack some of the things you’ve been holding inside. It will be unpleasant at times, but it will be worth it.

The truth is, we don’t need to compete with each other because we all have interesting lives with unique stories to share. Your story needs to be told and this is why you’re a writer.

“If a story is in you, it has to come out.” — William Faulkner

Fear of criticism

This is a big hurdle to get over when you’re a new writer or treading in controversial territory in your pieces.

Personally, I recommend holding off on writing anything too politically or socially polarizing until you have gained some momentum on whatever platform you choose to write for.

This is important: You need to make sure your sentence structure, spelling, grammar, and punctuation is flawless before you publish anything that’s controversial. This will be the first thing that people will go for if they can’t criticize your message. I recommend Grammarly for extra help with finding the little errors that most of us forget to look for.

Trolls always go for the jugular. These people have nothing better to do and will probably read your piece several times until they find an error.

It’s actually sad to be so insecure with yourself that you have to be cruel to others to feel good about your life.

Always remember, trolls have a goal and it’s to provoke you. Recently, a friend of mine had someone write a very cruel and untrue comment on an excellent piece she wrote. It was an emotional hit for her, but he was obviously trying to provoke her into a fight.

These people want to make you upset. I always respond back: “Thank you so much for your comment, I’m so glad you enjoyed my piece!” It has never failed to stop a troll in their tracks. We also have a handy little button called “block,” and you can use it anytime!

The truth is, you’ll get over this hurdle. It won’t be easy, but the more you write, the more confident you’ll feel in your work. The more prolific you are, the more followers you’ll gain, and more publications will seek you out or accept your submissions.

When we write, we’re opening ourselves up for criticism. I’ve gotten some very good constructive criticism and tips from fellow writers. It has helped me excel as a writer and improved the structure of my pieces.

These helpful comments are a gift.

“Criticism, like rain, should be gentle enough to nourish a man’s growth without destroying his roots.” — Frank A. Clark

Tips for Writers Who Are Experiencing Publishing Anxiety

• I enjoy meditating. Meditation is proven to expand your third eye chakra and open the gates of creativity. I recommend trying this guided meditation before you write.

• Write your story without editing, and turn off Grammarly until you’re in the editing stage. Don’t stop to edit; just keep your creative flow going.
• Share your story, and don't be afraid to put yourself out there. This could be your big break. You could get a client or an offer to join a publication. The best part? You could help someone with your story.
• If you’re worried about family or friends reading certain stories, don’t share them to social media. You could also write under a pseudonym or pen name.
• Editing: Initially, I suggest you use Grammarly or another editing application to correct your small errors. Then read your work out loud, twice and only twice. Once to add your formatting, italics, and bolding. Your last read is basically a formality, a final send-off for your piece before you publish it.
• Don’t read and re-read your work repeatedly; this will increase your anxiety and self-doubt.
• Some writers recommend writing and then editing much later. I’ve done this if I’m tired by the time I edit. Tiredness and editing is not a good mix. Editing later is something you can try, as it works well for many other writers. Due to my OCD, I have to get things done “right now” or it eats away at me, so I prefer to do everything at once.
• Forget the trolls — only focus on the good feedback you get. This is easier than it sounds. Challenge your thoughts about what they’re saying. Chances are, there’s not an ounce of validity in what they have to say about your writing.
• Make writer friends! Other writers understand your way of life and can help you with editing or give you feedback when you need it. We’re in this together.
• Hit publish, share your work on social media, and walk away. Meditate, watch Netflix, sleep. Don’t refresh your stats, worry about comments, or reread your piece. Take a break!

Writers are under a lot of pressure. Many of us are the breadwinners of our families, taking a leap into the unknown every time we press publish or send a submission to a magazine.

I believe that writing is a career path that chooses us; we don’t choose it. It’s a special job for special people who have amazing stories to tell.

You were meant for this, and the only way you’ll succeed is to put aside your fears and write. We have enough anxiety in our day-to-day life without making a career that should be rewarding into something stressful.

Relax, breathe, create, and be proud of what you’re doing. There aren’t many people in the world that have the guts and guile to do what we do.

“Pick up the pen, write down a sin, it’s a cleanse, Lay that shit down, play it for friends, Make a few M’s, then do it again” — J.Cole, “Family and Loyalty”

I want to say a special thank you to Heather Monroe for sharing her insight with me on this subject.