Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Exorcising Your Demons

Hello Kiddies! No, I don't mean exorcising your demons, like when little Reagan spewed pea soup all over the priest and yelled, "I'm the devil!" I mean exorcising your writing demons. I spoke before on stress causing writers to not write as often as they should. I think most writers have experienced that.

What I mean is thinking that you're not good enough as a writer. Evanescence has a song entitled, "Sweet Sacrifice." A particular verse is pertinent to my topic. It goes, "Fear is only in our minds, but it's taking over all the time." Sometimes even the most brilliant writers think that it's time to give up the ghost, so to speak. Most writers are they're own worst critics. "What if no one likes my story," or "What if my words don't make sense," and "What if my words aren't complex enough." Trust me, I have heard it all.

We need to be our own critics, as well as our own cheerleaders! I know, it may seem like an oxymoron, but it works. If you have to complete revisions, your inner critic says, "Oh, that sucks. Get your butt back in that chair and change it!" But, on the other hand, if you have polished your manuscript and are a little hesitant about sending it out, your inner cheerleader says, "You've done great! Now send out that manuscipt and celebrate!" Okay, I know that was corny but you get the point.

Also, you need to write every day. I think it was Hemingway or Faulkner, I can't remember which, who said to at least write something every day, even if it's just a paragraph a day. Exercise your brain and write daily in order to hone your skills! And exorcise those demons who tell you that you cannot do it! Until next time, America!

6 comments:

Gwyneth Bolton said...

This is really great advice! Writers need to both exorcise and exercise. :-) Those demons will take over if you don't do the first and they won't have to take hold to ruin you if you don't stay on top of the second. Exercising your craft and honing your skill is key. Great post!

Gwyneth

Naomi said...

This is timely advice for me. I'm so close to finishing my current project, but I'm letting too many other things keep me from it. Thanks for the boost!

Tyhitia Green said...

Gwyneth,
Thanks. This is something that every writer should practice. :*)

Naomi,
Glad to be of assistance! :*)

Heather Brewer said...

Oh, man, those "what ifs" are just awful...totally been there!

Liane Manso Betton said...

I'm currently re-writing the first two chapters of my manuscript so your post hits close to home. Trying to improve my words leaves the door open for those nagging voices. I just keep reminding myself that being asked to re-write some chapters means that I have caught someone's interest. Every writing should be an attempt at improvement.

Tyhitia Green said...

Heather,
It must be true for most writers at all stages of success. It's just part of our territory! :*)

Lycan,
You're correct. Every work should be an improvement. Your most recent should always be better than the last...