Facing the Nightmare while Living the Dream

by Lynna Goldhar Smith

The very idea of becoming a painter and dedicating myself, full time to this long held dream of mine, has prompted some nightmares.   The transition from painting in my journals, to painting on big canvas, has not been a smooth one.  The demons of self-doubt have been regular visitors. I have an entire chorus of disapproval, that lives in my head, yammering away, pointing out my flaws and doing their best to make me quit.  Their favourite song is “Who do you think you are?” by the Screaming Meanies.

However, I am stubborn, and the commitment is real.  So– no turning back.  Right?  I have come to the point where I don’t know the way back.  Thing is, I figured out that my fear of fulfilling my dream is far greater than the nightmare of failing at it. The fear of not trying is worse than making a fool of myself. This is the secret sauce. the magic ingredient that keeps me going. It’s what is going to make me go into the studio and face down that ugly mess I made yesterday. I know there is a beautiful painting in there.

I am sure It’s the same for writers. If you have a dream of writing that screenplay or that stage-play, you must sit down and write it, despite the self-doubt and fear. Try it. Try thinking about how you will feel if you never try to write that wonderful story. Your story. It’s part of you. Face down fear with a greater fear. That’s my trick.  And you could think about attending one of our writing intensives.  We are busy now preparing for the Fall season of Wet Ink Collective.

While you are waiting, here’s my top three inspiring YouTube videos for writers. 

• ‘Fleabag’: 10 Great Writing Tips You Can Learn from Phoebe Waller-Bridge
• Screenwriting Tips: Best of Sundance Screenwriters
• 5 Tips on How To Become A Screenwriter with Emmy-nominated Screenwriter Amy Aniobi

Happy Writing!