What do writers do to battle anxiety? Here's what members of my Bang the Keys writing workshop had to say...
I’ll tell myself I only have to write for 15 minutes or, if I’m really in bad shape, 10. Then I’ll put on a timer. More often than not, when the timer goes off, I’ll want another 15 minutes, but if not, I still feel better knowing I did something. If that doesn’t work, there’s always ice cream.
- Lauren Yaffe, Brooklyn writer
I push past my anxiety about writing by remembering I do it because
I enjoy it. I try not to judge my work too harshly. I'm also realistic
about my skill set. I know I'm never going to be Hemingway, but I can
paint a vividly descriptive tale infused with humor and insight and that
is a truly wonderful gift to possess!
You can quote me on that 
- Marc Heft, Manhattan writer
I think about how disappointed I will feel if I don't reach
my goals. In other words, I use guilt to fight anxiety.
--Anonymously yours,
Anonymous.Mindfulness meditation works for me -- focusing on the moment, watching
my breath, accepting the anxiety; the worst thing for me is to "fight"
it (as the Borg used to say "Resistance is futile" -- so let it ride
until it turns into something else, like excitement ideally...)
--Burt Shulman, Brooklyn writer
And on that note I leave you with a remedy:
the ultimate book on mindfulness meditation ...
For more on the craft of writing and the art of meditation: www.bangthekeys.com. How many of you meditate as part of your writing practice?
