I'm being too hard on myself today. As I told friends yesterday, my inner critic is a bitch and I hate her. Yesterday, she was silent. The words flowed from my brain to my keyboard like magic. Everything was wonderful. I was excited.
Today, she's back. She asks me what I think I'm trying to do, why anyone would want to read anything I write. I'm second-guessing like crazy - the big idea that inspired my story to continue and just might be the big plot line that drives the whole thing now seems like an exercise in futility.
I keep telling myself that the first draft is just that - first draft. I don't and can't produce perfection the first try. I compare the words on my screen to books I'm reading and cringe at the comparison. My logical side knows that all the published books I read had many drafts and revisions, but my inner self-doubt tells me I'll never good enough.
I hate my inner critic. But I have no idea how to make her go away.
Does everyone who writes feel like this? What does it take to be confident? How does one silence the inner doubt?
Tell that bitch to shut up! Let the words flow. Write a shitty first draft and then make it wonderful. You can do it Christine!
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, I think all writers feel like that. At least I do. All the freaking time. You are not alone. Not by a long shot.