Scott,
This blog is pure gold. There's so much to take in. It's inspiring, informative and just choke full of really useful advice. I'm working on a Myspace page and I hope I have your permision to include a link to your blog. I think every writer should know about it!
Don

PS,
Sorry about the typos!! :-)
DP

I think I've been in denial - "I would've finished by now but I'm just too busy." Yip, there's some fear right there. Time to be honest, isn't it? Otherwise how can I expect my work to be honest. Thanks for the enlightenment. Nice to know I'm not alone.

kiwichick, writing is a singular and lonely occupation. And fear -- it's part of the process. All I'm suggesting is that we accept that fact and do the best we can to use that knowledge to our advantage. Whatever we're afraid of re our writing, fine. Admit it, accept it, and allow ourselves to experience that fear. It's not negative or positive, it just is.

If we can 'neutral value it,' then we can use the experience of fear as a focus point to enter into our characters.

There's a great quote from master screenwriter Robert Towne about characters and fear; I'll try to find that and post it in the next few days.

But I guess what I'm trying to say is not to look at fear as the writer's enemy, but rather the writer's friend. Use tht feeling to go deeper into yourself and your characters.

Done. Thank you.