Even though I’ve been writing for ages, and have become quite used to this activity, there’s one aspect of the writing process I’ve never been able to shake: the sense of dread. Whenever I pick up a pencil or pen, with plans to begin a new story or chapter, I’m hit with an uncomfortable fear.

The length and intensity of my relationship with this disquiet has proved an opportunity to study my ‘writer’s fear’ –from close quarters. This episode contains a few of my observations.