Praecedo—May 2012
I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
I haven’t read any of the other articles for this month, but I wonder how many writers had the Litany Against Fear from Frank Herbert’s Dune running through their minds this past month. And I wonder how many of them have used it as part of their posting? (Editorial privilege of having the first post of the month!)
I have been excessively cruel to the writers here. I’ve forced them to analyse what brought them to writing, to publicly pledge to complete a major project, to critique themselves as writers, hold themselves accountable for their progress so far, and this month they have to confront and admit to their greatest fears as writers.
With a little luck, by the end of the year their greatest fear will be emails from me…
May is fear month, and the opening of Act 2 in our three-act structure. Act 2 is all about character development, and for the next few months you’ll see the character of all our writers, as they face fear and difficulty and come out on the other side with triumph.
I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.
I think possibly we already fear your emails… and those who don’t fear yours perhaps fear mine?!
This process is harsh, it is unforgiving, akin to an exorcism followed by cauterisation, but as Herbert says: “Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.” I definitely feel better for standing on the other side of the fear… a fear I could not have faced if not for having to write my column this month.
I’m glad there is a new and lighter path to walk now. Dare I say it, a more authentic one. Not easier or more difficult, but more mine!