In an interview in Psychologies magazine, singer/songwriter K. T. Tunstall talks about a problem that a lot of writers face, famous or not:
"...I was scared of people knowing too much about me. I thought I was protecting myself from fame by being so guarded, but I was jeopardizing my creative output. As a writer, you can't close doors because, if you do, it turns into a puppet show. It's hard, but you've got to let yourself be vulnerable."
For novel writers, the fear often is that too much of themselves will get into their work...which is exactly what's needed. Of course it doesn't have to be a literal version of your life, your fears, your feelings; many writers find a way to transform those into another time, another place, or to use them as metaphors.
What are you afraid to write about?
Consider that perhaps that's exactly what will make your work come alive.
(for more help, see 'Your Writing Coach,' published by Nicholas Brealey and available from Amazon and other booksellers.)
