Trying something new is freaky

[Becky the Evil Flower]

So I've been reading zines and had it in my head that I wanted to make one for years. And today I finally sat down and started to do it. I had my glue stick. I had all the stuff I had written and wanted to include.

Then I freaked out. I got scared that I would mess it up and it would turn out horrible. Finally I got over myself and started making it, but I am scared that it won't be good.

Will someone reassure me that it doesn't have to be perfect? What was your first zine like? Was it so different from where you are now?

[Isabel Xochitl]

the way i stop myself from worrying is to tell myself nobody will ever read it. after i made my first real zine, i was so embarrassed i refused to show it to any of my friends. but after a few months, i started giving it to people, and they kinda liked it. i wasn't so proud of every little piece of the zine, but i was proud i actually finished it!
i think it's important to remember that you're making the zine for you. then, if people give you positive feedback, it's nice, but it doesn't make or break the experience.
another thing you can do is make short little minizines. they don't take very long and you can make lots and have a nice big stack of zines you've already made when it comes time to start that deep introspective perzine, that will make you more confident.

[rieka]

inertia, thanks for the link!
will definitely try it out (:

[Mab]

Don't worry! My first zine was 8 pages long, full of my own poor drawings and flashcards from my German class, and written entirely about inside jokes with my best friend. I look back and laugh now, but hey...if you never make that jump and try it, how will you ever learn from it and decide what you do and don't like, what you'd like to change in the future, etc? I began writing my current zine, RatBrat, in 10th grade--4 years ago--and even my first issue of that seems angsty and strange to me now, but I can see myself grow as a person over those 4 years through what I've written in my zines.

[Becky the Evil Flower]

It does help to know I'm not the only one who feels like this.

Rieka: if you are having trouble getting the words down, might I suggest this killer website http://writeordie.drwicked.com/

It forces you to write. What you write may not be gems, but at least you have something down and usually I am able to write some really good stuff while using it.

[rieka]

I'm with you and dee.

I started writing/typing out the words for my zine a few days ago and I kept re-reading each paragraph and struggling with my words. as the written words got longer, the more I felt like my writing was growing blah. and, I admit, I am sort of freaking out as well and I don't really know how to carry on writing.

(I'm sorry if it wasn't much help but I thought I was the only one who felt this way.)

[Dee | Digested]

I'm making my first zine as well. I have everything for it. All the stories. The layout. Theme. EVERYTHING. Whenever I go to make it, I start to freak out as well. I begin to get that voice in my head that follows me around on a regular basis.

"You know no one will want to read this," It always says, "It's going to turn out like crap."

So I know exactly where you are coming from. Quite frankly? Bullocks. I say let our fear drive us forward. All it can do is make our endeavors more creative, right? Perfection is boring. It's always the raw, passionate flaws that people love.

Just make what you really feel like making. If you like, other people will like it. c: