To be a writer is to be in a constant state of worry. Will anyone be interested in my work? Will they like it? What if they don’t like it? The worst is when the worry morphs into criticism and you doubt your own validity as a writer: my book isn’t good, no one will ever read it, I should just quit now. Sometimes it seems as though your inner demons take up as much space in your head as your stories and characters.
I recently read an interesting article on how to mindfully address your inner critic. The author offers some good suggestions, such as waiting the emotions out (they will pass) or agreeing with your inner critic and going forward anyway (for example, you’d say something like: “I should just quit now…and I will go ahead and write another paragraph.”
I often use the agreement technique, only I follow up with “but” instead of “and.” The article says not to use “but” because you’re supposed to be agreeing with the critic, not challenging it. But (see what I did there?) I guess I’m the challenging type because it makes more sense to me, is more reassuring, and, therefore, is more effective. My agreement statement would be more along the lines of : “I should quit now…but what else am I going to do with my life?” Even more challenging is when I go with the ‘agree but don’t care’ method (AKA the stubbornness approach). When I’m in this mood I’ll say something like: “I should just quit now but I like what I’m doing, so who cares what anyone else thinks–I’m going to do it anyway.”
However you deal with your worries or inner critic, the most important thing is to remember that they are liars. Unless you have legit psychic powers (if you do, I have a question about the lottery numbers…), you really don’t know what tomorrow will bring. Just because you don’t see how things could possibly work out doesn’t mean they won’t. Life is funny that way. So go ahead and ignore your inner critic, or tell them off, or sit and have a polite conversation with them–whatever you need to do. As long as you don’t listen to them.
How do you deal with your inner critic? Share in the comments.
And while you’re here, make sure to download my free short story Blood Magic. Myth and magic collide in this story about choices, transformation, and retribution: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/816146
Aspasía S. Bissas 
Recently I had one of those dreaded self-doubt moments, as in, “What’s the use of writing? And, how do you know anybody’s reading what you write?” Not too long ago I probably would have walked away from the writing. But, I thought, “No, I’m not going to fall for that” and shut the self-doubt down right there. I give at least partial credit to inspiring articles from The Positive Writer, Steve Laube’s Literary Agency, and other blogs
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I think most, if not all, writers go through that, sometimes on a daily basis. Ignore that voice 🙂 I’m going to have to look up those blogs (thanks for letting me know about them)…
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Writer and writing coach Kristi Holl has another helpful, encouraging site. I subscribed to her e-newsletter. It’s worth the time to read it. Books and Such is another literary agency blog. You are probably already familiar with The Writer and Writer’s Digest magazine and blogs. If not, you may want to check them out.
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