'The Fleas Come With the Dog'

By Doug White
Online Reporter

It’s 15 minutes before deadline and you’re panicked. It’s not that your story isn’t done, it’s just that it isn’t any good. Actually, it stinks. You think you even smell a pungent odor emanating from the printout.

You’ve put your heart, soul, and sweat into the story and diligently pored over every sentence, every word. You’ve done everything you possibly can, but the fact remains: This is without question the worst piece of prose to ever appear on the printed page.

"This story is pathetic," you think. "I’m horrible at this."

Congratulations and welcome to the club! You’re a writer.

Most, if not all, writers doubt their ability from time to time. As Poynter senior scholar and faculty member Roy Peter Clark points out, writers of all ages deal with fear.

But that fear can be especially intense for less experienced journalists who are just starting to write for an audience.

"The fleas come with the dog," Clark said. "The anxiety and vulnerability is part of the excitement of being a writer."

Having fear is "a very writerly response," he said. "The act of writing tends to reveal the writer. That’s why the writer feels nervous, anxious, and vulnerable."

One way to counter fears and grow as a communicator is to write often. Another way is to take note of the feedback you receive, and learn to see the value of both encouragement and criticism.

Clark notes that as positive feedback gradually seeps in, students eventually learn the language of self-encouragement. But he added that writers should not develop callouses against criticism.

"Learn the value of any criticism, even harsh and insensitive criticism, Clark said. "If you can find a way to absorb it without it crushing you, then it helps you develop writing and revising muscles. Ask yourself what it was in the story that made the person react that way."

Clark said instead of apologizing or defending your work, simply describe take what you can from the criticism, and then let it go.

"Writers can get beat up by insensitive teachers and editors," Clark said. "They may feel vulnerable to exposing themselves to more of that. The best way to get back is to stand up straight, read it loud, and be proud."