Insecure Writer's Support Group (IWSG) is a
really awesome meme that you should be doing along with the rest of us
writers. Unless you truly are happy with your writing and don't feel the
need to vent about your insecurities because they don't exist for you. But, really.... Don't they?
IWSG is hosted by Captain Ninja Alex at his blog, Alex J. Cavanaugh.
IWSG is hosted by Captain Ninja Alex at his blog, Alex J. Cavanaugh.
This month, I don't have insecurities to discuss, but rather triumphs in my writing, as of late! Well, I consider these obstacles I've overcome to be triumphs, anyway.
I've been so much better about writing without all the critical chatter in my head. I know I will write really terribly, at least during the drafting stages, and it seems to help. I also try to get into a very altered state of consciousness while I write, or it's just something I can do easier now, and that really helps. It's like getting the left side of the brain to turn off for a while so I can create.
The other thing that's been helping this issue is to say to my left brain, "Listen, I need your help, but not right now. I'm in the middle of trying to create this story and you're just getting in the way. When I'm finished with getting it all out, I'll contact you so you can help me clean up this mess. Creating is supposed to be messy! For now, please wait until I call on you. It's just too early for you to do any good."
That's a long talk to the brain! But, this attitude really seems to help ease that inner critical worrier perfectionist into feeling like it will get to do some work, but the part I need it for comes when I'm ready for editing and revising my manuscript. That part of the brain, that analyzing part, just doesn't know how to create. It's not what it's naturally good at, so using it only for what it is good at, editing/revising, when the time is right helps to quiet it down.
These days I'm feeling a lot better about my writing and it has been flowing better than it has in a long time. Soon, I'm going to clear out my schedule so I can just write all night and have no other distractions until I get this first draft finished. Instead of dreading that, I'm actually looking forward to it. I know, if I were the me of one year ago, I wouldn't even consider doing so much writing in any given day for fear of all the chatter in my head.
Are there tricks you've discovered that help you quiet down the perfectionist/worry wart/analyzer in your head when you write?
Welcome to IWSG! That's a great trick, having a little chat with the left side of your brain. I like it and will have to try it out since I have the same problem of shutting the perfectionist down. :)
ReplyDeleteRiver – IWSG Co-host
Seasoned With Words
@River: Glad I could give you a nifty new idea! It seems to work for me, so it might for other authors. ;)
DeleteI think I need to have that discussion with the left half of my brain...
ReplyDelete@Alex: That left half is looking wary at you right now......O_O
DeleteI'm so glad the writing is getting easier, Cathy! It can definitely be hard to tell the left brain to take a hike for a while and have it actually listen, but first drafts aren't perfect, and that's important to remember. :)
ReplyDelete@Cherie: Yes, I know 1st drafts aren't supposed to be perfect, but tell that to my left brain! Some discussions just don't work, but the one I figured out does seem to. :)
DeleteMy left brain doesn't like to hear that either. LOL! That's why lately in my novel writing I've had draft zero instead of draft one, so I can let my left side play along until I'm comfortable in the story and then can go back, fix the beginning, and continue on.
DeleteCongratulations on silencing the inner critic! I do the same when I'm drafting, though it isn't always easy. After all, a draft doesn't have to be perfect!
ReplyDelete@Emma: Thank you! It's hard, but I have to figure out what hoops to jump through to get my inner perfectionist to take a hike. Believe me, this one is a tough cookie.
DeleteWay to go! You put that left brain in its place!
ReplyDelete@James: I will! Thanks. :D
DeleteIt is SO hard not to over think what we are writing. Heck, we're writers. We're supposed to be good at this. Right? What helps me get through that first draft is not reading what I have written. I mean I do go back a few paragraphs to see where I have left off, but that is it. Farther than that and I find myself re-writing entire sections. I hope this helps.
ReplyDeleteLeanne ( readfaced.wordpress.com/ )
@Readfaced: That's a good tactic to not reread what you've already written. I will do this to an extent, but I always need to know where I left off. If I need to make a change because I came up with a better idea, then I do end up rereading before the editing phase.
DeleteLook how far we've come in a year! It's great that you've found a way of writing that totally works for you. Clearing your schedule is a good way of ensuring that you have the time to write. Often when you're in the writing zone everything else is forgotten anyway so having nothing to do in the first place will def help. Can't wait to read the first draft :)
ReplyDelete@Lan: I know, right? I think we can pat each other on the back, but we still have a long journey ahead of us.
DeleteI definitely want to be able to be in the writing zone and not HAVE to worry about how I just forgot to do something I needed to do for the day. That's why it'll be nice to not have those things hanging over my head for a while.
It's always nice to feel good about our writing, especially when both halves of our brains start communicating with each other :)
ReplyDelete@M.J.: Yes, it is, isn't it? I want these two to play nice. When they do, it's quite a relief.
DeleteI'm right along with you there. I live by the rule "just write - because chances are you might have to scratch it all by the end when you find a better way anyway." As you can see I wrote down that rule in the spirit of its rule because that was hideously wordy. The point is - I used to spend so much time criticizing and editing my work until it was some form of satisfying. I progressed slower than a dead fish, and usually ended up scrapping scenes when I came up with a better idea or correction for the course of things. So hurrah! Give your left brain a nap and get messy with your writing. I say always move forward.
ReplyDelete@D.V.: I agree with you! When you spend too much time fussing over every little word you write, you get no where real fast. You have to let that mentality go and just write so you can get your work done. Well said. :)
DeleteI love it when things just flow, and I feel good. It's great that you've figured out a trick to get your internal editor to be quiet for a little while. Whatever works. Great IWSG post!
ReplyDelete@Kim: Thank you very much. I'm happy, too! :D
DeleteHaven't found a trick for that yet . . . let me know when you find one! The only way I ever get a manuscript released into the world is b/c my editor pries it out of my hands and tells me I have to step away from the shiny object some time b/c no book is ever perfect.
ReplyDelete@Jamie: I have found one! But, to each his own. What works for one might not work for another. I know just telling myself my 1st drafts are supposed to be crap doesn't really help that much, but it seems to work for most authors.
DeleteI'm so happy to hear you've made progress and are feeling good about it!! You've really fought a battle of nerves and you deserve everything good that happens to you. I hope I get over my own doubts and get my crap together soon. But meanwhile, congrats, Cathy!! Yay!! :-D
ReplyDelete@Lexa: Thank you so much! It's been a very uphill battle for me the past year, so I'm happier than anyone about getting my anxiety under control. I hope you manage your doubts better this year, too!
DeleteAwesome post and I'm so glad to hear you're making progress! And I love this ===> "Creating is supposed to be messy!" So, so true and I will be using that quote the next time my brain tries to interfere. Write on, Cathy! :D
ReplyDelete@Elise: "Write on, Cathy!" <== I see what you did there.... Thanks for you comment!
DeleteSometimes you just have to shut down the logical part of your brain when you write. The part that tells you that nothing will ever come of writing. The part that tells you you're crazy to be a writer. You can turn it back on later.
ReplyDelete@Ken: So right! That part of your brain just beats you up, and who needs that when you're trying to get your creative work done? I can deal with it when the work is finished.
DeleteHi Cathy!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great post. Yes, we DO have to find a way to quiet the beast that rages in our mind as we create. I'm a nit-picky perfectionist! That's fantastic when it comes to editing, but rarely do I get to that point because I'm too busy criticizing my story as it's being created. The constant beating down does nothing to help the story flesh out. Thank you for this reminder!
@Jen: Your welcome--glad I could help you out, too! I often have trouble finishing what I start due to the nit picking of what I've written so far, so we both need to quiet that nasty voice.
DeleteAt film school (I studied screenwriting) one of my tutors used to refer to the first draft as the 'vomit draft' - meaning you just have to get it out, whatever it is, as fast as you can and you can't worry about what mess you make... it's not the most pleasant of mental images, but definitely helps in its weird way ;-) Great news that you're feeling flowy - it's the best feeling in the world!!
ReplyDeleteClaire
@Claire: You're so right! 1st drafts are the vomit drafts, the messy stuff of creation and nonsensical right brained thinking, or lack thereof. It has to get translated into left brain terms later on, but that has to be done when the time is right. Thanks for your comment!
DeleteI like what you're saying to your brain! It's like saying to the dishes 'Stay there while I finish cooking and making my mess and then I'll see to you!' I can identify with that - will give it a go!
ReplyDelete@Linda: That's a good analogy about the dishes! I might just have to use that for dusting and vacuuming. ;)
DeleteGood on ya!! The critic in our head is always the hardest to deal with.
ReplyDeleteSarah Allen
(From Sarah, with Joy)
@Sarah: Thanks! Don't I know it. :)
Delete