By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills

In school, we dreaded receiving an F on our papers. For writers, the letter F may subconsciously trigger a fear of failure. This post takes the dreaded letter F to a new level by confronting those writing fears with biblically based principles and arming ourselves with fearless fortitude.

How does a writer arm themselves with fearless fortitude? The best way is to understand the enemy. When we know what motivates our fears, we can transform that relationship into a powerful force for growth. However, when it comes to Satan—our worst enemy as Christians—we must resist his schemes of failure. When we know our enemy’s tactics, we are better equipped to avoid his traps.

Critical and condemning thoughts, whether whispered in our minds or spoken aloud, can stop us cold. Consider these examples from the enemy’s arsenal:

Hurt

• “Who told you that you could write? What a joke.”
• “You wrote this? I’m not surprised. It’s the worst I’ve ever read.”
• “You have neither the talent nor the resources to try writing. Cut your losses while you can.”

Resentment

• “I see another rejection—fifth one this week.”
• “You spent a month writing that article and look where it got you.”
• “You quit your job to write, and now all your friends are published but you. How are you going to pay the bills?”

Anxiety

• “Admit it. Writer’s block has you paralyzed. Quit before everyone recognizes you’re a coward.”
• “Afraid of failure? Don’t try and escape the embarrassment.”
• “You published one article, but you’ll never publish again. Someone felt sorry for you.”

Rise up, Christian writer!

We are called to write for Him. God gives us flaming arrows to overcome any fear of failure. Here are seven ways we can stay strong:

1. Confess our fears and ask the Holy Spirit for guidance.
2. Stay rooted in the Word with daily Bible study and prayer.
3. Educate ourselves daily by pursuing excellence in the craft of writing, social media, updates in the publishing world, and reading bestsellers.
4. Practice daily: write, edit, submit, and repeat.
5. Take care of our bodies and good mental health.
6. Thank God for every rewrite, rejection, and publication because that’s how we grow and learn.
7. Memorize Psalm 109: Let it strengthen your spirit.

Writers are lifelong students. We are faithful, diligent, and obedient to our calling as writers. Release those writing fears and write on!

What writing fears attack you?

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She weaves memorable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels. DiAnn believes every breath of life is someone’s story, so why not capture those moments and create a thrilling adventure?

Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards, the Golden Scroll, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests.

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, an active member of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers, Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, the Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. DiAnn continues her passion of helping other writers be successful. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country.

DiAnn has been termed a coffee snob and roasts her own coffee beans. She’s an avid reader, loves to cook, and believes her grandchildren are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.

DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Goodreads, BookBub, YouTube, LinkedIn. or her website: diannmills.com