For most writers, the blinking cursor on a Final Draft page is the most intimidating aspect of the creative process. Taking the leap into a new script becomes the first step of yet another opportunity for the writer to open themselves up to judgment. The approach to the first lines often requires a level of courage that some might struggle to muster, leaving them hopelessly looking for guidance or escape. To that, Ralph Keyes extends a hand.

In July’s Reading on Writing book of the month, The Courage to Write: How Writers Transcend Fear by Ralph Keyes, writers are encouraged to face their fear of the craft and learn to use their writing anxiety to their benefit. The book pushes the boundaries of the traditional writer’s handbook and gives writers a tool kit to help kick off the pre-production stage of the writing process. In it, Keyes introduces writers to common elements of writing induced fear and provides examples of ways to invite these challenges into the creative process. 

Why I Liked It:

This type of anxiety is a subject often overlooked in the process of learning about writing, and it was fascinating to read an entire book dedicated to the topic. Keyes separates the book into two sections: “The Elements of Courage” and “Coming to Terms with Fear.” The former features chapters that focus on the components of the writing process that often lead to anxiety or self-doubt in writers. The latter provides chapters highlighting examples of how the writer can come to terms with their fear and use their anxiety as a way to guide their process. 

Throughout the book, there is a genuine sense of reassurance that the varying forms of fear that appear during the writing process were not unique to me. Keyes uses countless examples and quotes from other successful writers ranging from poet to playwright that have all experienced similar woes.

I had the most fun reading about the different types of rituals, and totems writers use to prepare themselves to attack a project head-on. It was surprising to learn about the lengths famous authors have gone to get into the proper headspace to create a story. (Hemingway sharpened twenty pencils before getting down to business.) 

In the chapter, “Should You Write in the Nude?,” the debate regarding the necessity of dressing to write was also perspective-shifting. It forced me to consider what dressing ritual truly heightens my productivity. Keyes sites writers on both ends of the argument, ensuring the reader gets a well-rounded view. Some suggest that getting dressed provides opportunity for distraction; others state that getting dressed for the job helps support a workflow mindset. I prefer the latter ritual. 

Constructive Criticism:

Though I think the lessons presented here are invaluable to writers of all mediums, Keyes focuses primarily on authors. Being that he is an author himself, I don’t think his lack of screenwriter love was personal. However, it did strike me as mildly exclusionary that he made a point to highlight writers from every other medium (journalists, essayists, poets, playwrights, authors, etc…).

There was one quote from screenwriter Burt Prelutsky (Dragnet 1967, M*A*S*H), but it wasn’t about his efforts to write despite his anxiety. Instead, it was an excerpt from a piece he wrote following the death of his father used as an example of writing from the raw. In this sense, the book felt like a guiding light for all other types of writers and made me feel a pang of self-consciousness. It suggested that the book was only intended for certain kinds of writers.

Famous Last Words:

Despite the book’s emphasis on the creative process through the lens of authors, it is a very informative read on a topic working writers might otherwise suffer through alone. I would encourage any writer to educate themselves on writing anxiety and how it affects their approach to their work.

Keyes does an amazing job of reassuring the writer that anxiety and fear are natural hindrances. He then outlines how they can be used to create work the writer is proud of. If you’re seeking courage for your next project and wondering where to start, your answers might be between the covers of this book.

For more work from this author: https://ralphkeyes.com/

About the Author

Mercedes K. Milner is a Co-Founder and Administrator of the Write or Die Chicks and the Writer’s Group Coordinator. She is a staff writer for the WODC Blog and she heads the Reading on Writing column.