On writing, Steven King once wrote, “The scariest moment is always just before you start.” It’s a moment all writers have faced. We sit down to begin a story and are overwhelmed by the prospect of this major undertaking. Writing is not an easy task, but there are steps we can take to ease the transition into a new project.

Be courageous

Fear is a challenge we face when starting a new writing project. Some common thoughts associated with fear include:

Will others want to read my work? Will this book, article, blog post, etc. be a hit among readers? What if readers don’t like my ideas? What if my writing is terrible?

Considering these questions only leads to increased stress when beginning a new project. We fear the unknown, we fear failure. But, we must not let fear stand in the way of our success.

“Instead of being afraid, we must be courageous,” writes Jeff Goins. “But, as you probably know by now, courage isn’t the absence of Fear; it’s the willingness to face it in spite of how you feel.”

Be positive

To face fear, we must have a positive attitude when it comes to writing. Instead of considering negative questions, we should focus our attention on writing as an expression. We should write from the heart with no expectation of the end result.

I used to have low self-esteem when it came to sharing my ideas. I would even let constructive criticism break me down to the point of no return. I would give up.

Years of writing and practice have taught me that as writers, we expose ourselves to criticism anytime we share our thoughts and ideas with others. When our views become public, readers have the ability to respond. Just because everyone may not agree with your views, doesn’t mean you’re wrong. Embrace differences and know that’s it’s nothing personal.

Find inspiration

Inspiration comes from many places. As writers, it’s easy to find support through the blogs we read, books we study, or support groups we build.

Learning that other writers — even famous ones — have had to face their fears when starting a new project, helps solidify the fact that one of writing’s greater challenges can be overcome.

When you set out a new undertaking, consider how your favorite writer may have dealt with the difficult task of writing. It’s comforting to know that you’re not alone.

To find inspiration, pick up a book, read a blog post, or discuss this challenge with other writers.

These are just a few ideas to help inspire you to push through the difficulty of beginning a new writing project. While all writers struggle with this, we can overcome it by maintaining a positive outlook and knowing that we don’t have to freak out when starting a new project.