What’s REALLY getting in the way of your writing?
And why is it holding you back?
If you’re anything like me, when you resolve to write, a thousand different things will suddenly seem more important. And, if you’re anything like me, you will rationalize each and every one of them to delay writing for as long as possible, until you no longer have the energy for it.
But then you realize what you really should be doing is prioritizing your writing and reschedule everything you’re deliberately doing instead.
What does that look like?
You note down every single thing you’re more likely to do rather than write, and take care of it at another time, perhaps the night before or in the afternoon.
Stuff like loading the dishwasher. Or doing laundry. Decluttering your desk. Replying to emails that could wait a little longer. All that fun stuff.
Then you sit down with your thoughts and try to figure out why you’d rather willingly do laundry, when you’ve hated it all your life, instead of work on your novel by journaling the reasons out of you. When you journal, you may find that:
A. You’re afraid. Taking on a writing project can be intimidating. What if you screw it up? What if it isn’t perfect?
B. You’re brimming with self-doubt. Who are you to write this? Who are you to write anything?
Fortunately, you’ve read enough quotes by writers to know that both feelings are completely normal, and that every writer from every century with even a smidgen of talent has experienced the same at some point or the other, and will continue to do so for every century to come.
“I have written 11 books but each time I think ‘Uh-oh, they’re going to find out now. I’ve run a game on everybody, and they’re going to find me out.’”
— Maya Angelou
If you’re afraid, tell yourself it’s okay. It’s just the first draft. The whole point of a first draft is for it to exist. That’s it. (And I write this to convince myself to believe it as much as I write it for
The journey to ‘perfection’ comes with feedback and revision, which is a whole other process, but it can only start once the first draft is done.
Give yourself permission to write, even if it doesn’t live up to your expectations. Secure yourself in the knowledge that your writing can only get better with time and constructive feedback from people you trust to give it.
“You can always edit a bad page. You can’t edit a blank page.”
— Jodi Picoult
If you’re doubting yourself, that’s okay too. Everyone’s got to begin somewhere, and no one started out knowing everything about their field. If you feel you don’t know much, remind yourself you’ll learn as you write, just like every other writer has.
Whether you’re writing a novel or a newsletter, don’t let doubt or the desire for perfection shut you out.
March forth! Let the anticipation of exploring your abilities lead you, rather than a fear of what could go wrong.
What’s really holding you back from writing?
This was originally published as a newsletter on Revue, which is now defunct. If it resonated with you, give it a clap or two (or fifty!), to help other writers find their way here.
