I'm an artist by trade (namely, a painter), not a writer. Lately, however, I've been getting this nagging feeling that perhaps I should try my hand at writing something. But, I'm scared of writing.

Here's the reason behind it: English is definitely not my first language and I have mild cases of OCD. Those two combined make for a bomb, because I get scared that if, even if somehow I manage to get through that annoying feeling that mediocrity might show its face, I were to write anything - it'd be a total disaster.

It's one of those annoying feelings I have to face. But have you guys ever dealt with this or something similar? what helped you get through it?

I know exactly how you feel -- I get like that all the time. When I know that I want, and need, to write, I usually ask a friend of mine to help. Roleplaying also helps alleviate some of the 'fear'. I think it's just something you, yourself, need to work through. :)

haha, English is my first language and I get like this all the time. I'm an extreme perfectionist and when it comes to drawing and writing both I'm constantly afraid of petting my pen to paper because I know if it's not perfect the first time, I'll freak out and give up.

I guess the only advice I can give you is to just... go for it. Sometimes if you just push your worries out of the way it works. Sometimes you have to force yourself.

The best way for me to start writing is not to jump right into a story's beginnig but actually write out the scenes that I imagine I want my characters to be in. I think planning and having well-thought out characters can really help your writing so when you look back at it, it won't be a total disaster. When I look at a lot of my old stuff, I want to cringe.

Try thinking of your writing as essay you'd make in school - plan, write your rough draft, edit, and keep working until you get that final version. Editing to me is a very important step because everytime you look over your story there seems to be things that can be improved. It's a long process but I think it's well worth it.

I think the best thing is, seriously, to just write. You'll only get better with the more writing you do and aside from that you don't have to show anyone until you feel comfortable with it, although getting constructive criticism from others can be extremely helpful.

Also, if you hadn't said so I would never have realized English was not your first language. ;)

I agree with the posters above me. Believe me you, I've gone through some tough spells myself and seen plenty of people around me go through them as well. Take my best friend Nicole, for instance. She was diagnosed with autism loooong before I met her, and look at her now! She's finishing up her first novel, and going strong with the ideas for another.

Also, as for english not being your first language; that post was written with excellent grammar, so... just get yourself an understanding editor if you're worried, and you'll do fine. :3

Neither english is my first languaje and i have a very particular teacher who do not like how i write, actually i love writing but as soon as i grab the pen my hand start shaking Because i can not avoid to think that he will get my composition down again But any way i keep trying, some day i know that he will get back about my writting performance :P

Same here. And the thing is, I know that nothing is bound to be perfect on the first try, and some things will be harder than others. But it's extremely hard for me to accept. What do I do? I just write the first draft, without forcing a thing, and then allow myself to go butcher it to my heart's content. When you force everything onto the paper from the start, you make yourself even more frustrated. Of course, it is usually easier said than done; however, the more you write, the easier it will become to just let your mind release itself on the first round and accept that mistakes will be made, but fixable ones. That's difficult for anyone to accept, but you get better about it over time. It's just as human to be self-critical as it is to make silly mistakes.:P

Thank you, guys. I suppose I'm going to have to suck it up and just write until my fingers bleed, and see if I can get over the fear.

Lucefox, thank you! that means a lot to me. I'm always getting worried that I'm going to make silly mistakes and stuff.