or, How Letting Go of Your Writing Worries Can Free Your Creative Mind - Writing worries can hold us back from writing a word. Here's how to stop giving f*cks!
I know you well enough, Graham, to know that you won't mind a little dissent from the peanut gallery. While I agree wholeheartedly that we writers shouldn't give a fuck what others think, I think we do need to give quite a few fucks about what we think, and mull over our writing long and hard until we're satisfied that it does exactly what we wish. I see too much evidence of sloppy writing out in the world to encourage writers not to worry at all, a lot of it encouraged by those (not you) that suggest that you need to write every week in order to win an audience and GROW, GROW, GROW. I wish some people worried more and took the time to make their writing better.
I vehemently disagree. There's no way you're in the Peanut Gallery! lol
Seriously though -- yes, I'm always up for dissension and discussion. However, I'm not sure there's any dissension here!
I agree with you 100% -- I would say that quality needs to be the most important thing on the list when it comes to putting out things for publication. In my day job, I recommend to clients pondering a blog that yes, schedule is very important, but you need to have a schedule that allows you enough time to put together a quality piece. Slapping something together because you've committed to a schedule doesn't do anyone any good. Delay the post, skip the post, shorten the post, but don't half-ass the post.
My philosophy though is that slapping stuff together to get started is absolutely fine. Too many of us worry about the final product before starting, well, anything. Throw down the "bad" words and then polish it up in the next drafts. And yes, you definitely have to make it the best you can before you put it out to the world!
Thanks for the insights, Tom -- and the discussion!
Oh yeah, you’re right: there’s probably no dissension. Because I’m totally with you on the uncensored beginnings … what I call the “barf it out” stage. Perhaps I’m attuned to this issue because this piece I’m just finishing has been in a state of draft for four months! Luckily, it’s now much shorter than it was before, something I’m glad I had time for. Your stuff always makes me think, Graham.
I love how writing sums up life philosophy. The subtle art to give it our all without losing ourselves in attachment, performance anxiety and expectations. Thank you for sharing Graham!
Ooh, I like how you put that, Peggy! That's exactly it: putting our energies into the art without putting *our vulnerable selves* into the art. Great way to look at it!
I know you well enough, Graham, to know that you won't mind a little dissent from the peanut gallery. While I agree wholeheartedly that we writers shouldn't give a fuck what others think, I think we do need to give quite a few fucks about what we think, and mull over our writing long and hard until we're satisfied that it does exactly what we wish. I see too much evidence of sloppy writing out in the world to encourage writers not to worry at all, a lot of it encouraged by those (not you) that suggest that you need to write every week in order to win an audience and GROW, GROW, GROW. I wish some people worried more and took the time to make their writing better.
I vehemently disagree. There's no way you're in the Peanut Gallery! lol
Seriously though -- yes, I'm always up for dissension and discussion. However, I'm not sure there's any dissension here!
I agree with you 100% -- I would say that quality needs to be the most important thing on the list when it comes to putting out things for publication. In my day job, I recommend to clients pondering a blog that yes, schedule is very important, but you need to have a schedule that allows you enough time to put together a quality piece. Slapping something together because you've committed to a schedule doesn't do anyone any good. Delay the post, skip the post, shorten the post, but don't half-ass the post.
My philosophy though is that slapping stuff together to get started is absolutely fine. Too many of us worry about the final product before starting, well, anything. Throw down the "bad" words and then polish it up in the next drafts. And yes, you definitely have to make it the best you can before you put it out to the world!
Thanks for the insights, Tom -- and the discussion!
Oh yeah, you’re right: there’s probably no dissension. Because I’m totally with you on the uncensored beginnings … what I call the “barf it out” stage. Perhaps I’m attuned to this issue because this piece I’m just finishing has been in a state of draft for four months! Luckily, it’s now much shorter than it was before, something I’m glad I had time for. Your stuff always makes me think, Graham.
Congrats on wrestling down the piece! I know that feeling all too well. It's nice when it finally falls into place, doesn't it?
Ask me again on Sunday! If I don't get at least one unsubscribe, I'll be disappointed.
lol - can't wait to read it! (Bet that one unsubscribe *won't* be me!)
Thanks again for the opportunity to share the contents of my helmet, Graham. 🔥⛑️
Thanks again for letting me! Really helped to show the point. Much appreciated!
I've found that my best writing always comes out when I stop thinking about what others will think about it. Thanks for putting this in perspective!
That's exactly it, Punit! When we step back and stop worrying about how it will be received, we can concentrate better on what it *is*.
Thanks for that, Punit!
I love how writing sums up life philosophy. The subtle art to give it our all without losing ourselves in attachment, performance anxiety and expectations. Thank you for sharing Graham!
Ooh, I like how you put that, Peggy! That's exactly it: putting our energies into the art without putting *our vulnerable selves* into the art. Great way to look at it!