Expectations

I have a new writing assignment. I live in two worlds when it comes to this assignment - the real world and the made up world I have in my head. NO, it isn't for a grade, or for a publication or, for any reason other than fun - but I am scared to death!

Reality: A fun thing to do with a friend of mine. Writing a horror movie about an evil pool vacuum cleaner. No expectations from the other person writing. They just want to write, and want me to write with them. No pressure, no opposition, no problem.

Whacked out Katie world: Am I good enough? Will my parts of it be good, or will I let her down? I don't think I can breathe.

CRAZY, right? Honestly, I think it will be fun, but my first thought was not "oh, this will be fun," but rather - "how can I get her to write the whole thing?" My biggest problem is the fear of letting someone down, and in this case the only way I can let her down is by not participating. Somewhere along the line when I was growing up I lost sight of the fun factor. I don't remember my parents critiquing my work, but I came away from my childhood with the idea that I can't do anything that I don't know ahead of time will be a success. She comes from a world where she is encouraged in everything, pushed to think outside the box and learn from the mistake, not raked over the coals for it. In this I need to think that way, not my way. Problem is - how do I unlearn 27 years of worry and focus on the experience?