On a bicycle again: For the first time
White knuckled with fear and with a death grip on the handle bars my instructor coached me from the sidelines. This is long before my feet are on the pedals.
Gone are the days of running beside a bicycle holding onto whatever worked. These days it’s heel to toe push until you can balance the bike or start at the top of a small incline and let gravity help. Then the pedals come into play one at a time.
Instructor? What! Yes, well my next door neighbour is a competitive cyclist and kindly offered to help. She’s taught people of all ages to ride a bike. She walks beside her students providing encouragement and verbal support. I’ve tried before to ride a bike, the last time was a number of years ago. Maybe this time I will succeed.
Writing can be like that. You start and stop then try again and again. Sometimes you stare at a blank screen and feel frustrated and fearful. You begin to think you are bereft of talent, skill or spontaneity. You ask yourself, why am I doing this?
The answers are many and sometimes like riding a bicycle the process does make sense. You just need someone to keep you balanced every now and again.
If you don’t have a writing mentor or buddy look for one to support and encourage. What you give you get back and there is no need to go through this alone. I am so happy to have support for my writing and someone to drink wine with over story strategies. The help I receive is invaluable and I’m grateful.
Do you have writing fears? Is there a writing buddy or support group you work with?
~ June Lorraine
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