So, as you can see, I have been procrastinating this blog.
Why?
Well for the same reasons I always procrastinate writing. I am afraid to get it done.
I am afraid to put it out there. Don't get me wrong. I have been writing. I have three drafts started for this blog, but the finality of putting the work (I use this term very loosely.) "out there" is just too much. My internal editor (and ego) don't want to put it out there. I find most of my writing process to be an internal argument with my internal editor about getting it done.
Here an attempt at some writing. I am sitting on my internal editor in order to post it.
Why is writing hard?
It is hard because we put it out there for someone to see. Like conversation – there is the potential for misunderstanding for dis-grace – a state none of us likes. We do not want to look dumb. Or we do not want to look.
Sometimes, we don’t like it because it hurts – our brain hurts as we they to put those thought down –
---Or, we don’t have the words for what we mean.
Maybe we do not know what we mean. Maybe we are afraid of what we mean.
Writing pushes us to be honest – To connect with ourselves.
--------We have to slow down.
We have to connect with our thoughts, ourselves.
--We have to wade through this jumbled bundle of thoughts in our heads.
Sometimes the best thing to do is to just get it done. Do what you have to do to get the writing down. Sometimes this means starting with the grocery list - then just letting yourself keep writing. Put a mark on the page or a stroke on the keyboard. Tell your internal editor to hush and just get the words down. (I’m talking to myself here.)
Press on Dear Writers Press On. We all have scared, stalled moments.
I never really thought about it that way. An internal argument with your editor. It is very true we are our own worst crtic. I do tend as well to get nervous when writing anything for people to read. I always think well what if my grammar is messed up and it makes me look dumb. Or what if I offend them and ect. Thats when you just have to trust in yourself and put it out there. It is not easy, but it is worth it
ReplyDeleteWow Dr. Pickle, you may have just read every mind in class. Writing can be scary because you want your work to be liked, appreciated, informative and most of all a prize winner. Everyone wants that "acceptance" award in all aspects of life but I do agree with your wise words on how writing could become so stressful and pressured by your own thoughts, it may be difficult to say, "Okay I am going to write this and everyone will love it." Opinions are inevitable when it comes to writing. All we can really do is be happy and satisfied with ourselves and know with all our heart that was a great paper and I liked what I wrote, even if it may be judged by others in a negative fashion.
ReplyDelete~SHedrick
How wonderfully motivational. That post was a really fun read. Although, I knew this to be true, it's still a relief to see professionals struggle at least slightly at what us amateurs scramble to compose.
ReplyDelete