Is it Writer's Block, or is it Fear?

I joined Associated Content because as an online blogger and English major, I enjoy both reading and writing. Associated Content seemed like the perfect place for a person like me, but now after months of being a member, I find myself unable to write as often as I would like, and jealous of the articles written by other members that I read.

So many times I will read an article by another AC member and think to myself, "I could have written that," or, "I was going to write about that." So, why am I always the one reading the articles and rarely the one writing them?

As a writer it is easy to claim writer's block and go months without writing even the simplest of things. Sometimes I find myself even having trouble blogging. I am starting to realize, however, that my lack of new articles and blog entries is not because of writer's block, it is because of fear. You see, when I sit down to write an article I always think that it will never measure up to those articles that you see in the showcase, or in the list of highest rated articles, even though I have had an article in the showcase. It doesn't matter how many people view my articles, what comments they leave, or how much upfront payment I am offered for a piece, I don't think I will even be completely comfortable with my articles.

Maybe my lack of confidence doesn't come from a feeling of incompetence but rather from a vulnerability that I subject myself to when putting my personal thoughts out there for the world to read. There are of course always going to be those people who don't agree with your opinions, and out of those there will always be those who will leave you a comment telling you so. I wish I could be like Michael Moore and not care enough about what people think about me to continue on with my writing, but sometimes I just can't do that.

I have always been the type of person who was highly opinionated and who spent their free time soaking up knowledge about a wide variety of subjects, as well as the type of person who has cared a little too much about what complete strangers think of her. It is this combination that has lead to my dissatisfaction at jobs where coworkers and managers seemed to have it out for me, in school where I never felt smart enough, and with my family who of course have their own opinions of what is best for me.

So, how can I be a productive content producer when battling such fear? Should I write my articles in my word program on my computer first, in a blog-like style to alleviate some of the pressure? Should I never read the comments left to me? Should I write anonymously, not allowing even friends and family to know about my articles? Maybe I should stick to how-to articles and avoid expressing my opinions. Or maybe, I should just force myself to write an article a day until I eventually build enough confidence to just not care.

Whatever I decide to do, I am sure that the fear will never completely subside. After all, I have done well in school all my life, and yet I still feel that I could stand to be smarter, I could be more dedicated. I guess I am just one of those people who is always striving to be something better, and therefore never completely satisfied with what I already am.