Robbie,

As one who has been a natural born ham his entire life, I can tell you that even the most natural performer is painfully shy. Writing and performing songs are a way to deal with that as we can actually be different characters through the songs like actors are with a part. But all creative people are dreadfully afraid of critism and are natural introverts.

Some of us deal with it better than others. In the case of someone like the late Amy Whinehouse, often, alcohol or other substances are used to help them get over those fears and as that grows the demons do also. But that is in the most extreme cases. Most people quit or find other ways to manage the fear. But it can be managed. Trust me on that. Get a few dozen writer's nights under your belt and you will wonder what made you so nervous in the first place.

So you are in good company with being frightened. Only every one who has ever picked up a guitar, sat at a keyboard, picked up a pen and paper, and stood behind a microphone. Welcome to the club.

MAB