I wrote the first rough draft of my book and was really looking forward to revising it! But I can see how much revision it needs, and how much more research and planning I'll need before I can really do that, and it's gone from "I WROTE A NOVEL!" to paralyzing terror that this is way too big and too much and I can't do it and not being able to tell which one of two directions to take with the revision. Trying to work on other projects leaves me as terrified too now. I can't even pick up a pen!
Now, say this to yourself, out loud: The anxiety I’m feeling about this is COMPLETELY NORMAL.
Because it is normal. It’s more than normal. It’s freaking super-normal. Often there’s a huge to-do made about just finishing a draft, just getting that book from start to finish and having something written. Many people start on that path, and many people never even get that first draft done. You’ve accomplished that, and that’s great. It’s an achievement. Pat yourself on the back. Seriously, do it. Or pat a pet or stuffed animal if you don’t like being touched. Or do a celebration dance.
Now, you’ve hit that second massive hurdle. That glorious thing you wrote? Probably 80% crap. And guess what? That’s true of practically every other author on the planet once they finish their first draft. How does it get from being mostly crap to a finished book? A lot of work (A LOT). Hours and hours of time spent pouring over sentences and paragraphs, character analyses, plot hole noticing and filling, possible changes in setting or of protagonists or POV. It sometimes seems endless, and you have to constantly ask yourself: Why am I doing this? What do I ultimately want?
The answer that should satisfy? Because you have to — you need to finish, for yourself. If you don’t write this book, no one will. And if you’re taking the time to do it, don’t you want to do it right?
Anxiety, stress, fear of failure and/or just the daunting task of work to reach completion are things every writer struggles with, so the other thing you need to do? Get used to this feeling. It’s probably not going to go away with other projects and more experience. However, it can lessen a bit, and you can move past it, by realizing that you’re not alone, it’s normal to have these feelings, and that without your efforts, this story may never be told.
Take another deep breath.
This is your story. You can tell it, and if it’s the right story, you’ll find you need to tell it.