Getting in your head

Writing is a strange creative act.

When you put words to the page you’re taking ideas from your head and translating them to written language.

The original ideas feel perfect. They’re shapeless. They lack definition, but hold unlimited promise.

On the page they come off stilted and imperfect.

Through practice and reading our words can improve. Our writing can get better.

But there’s still something that holds us back.

We self-edit while writing.

We imagine vague people in the ether who might disapprove of a word or two. So we delete, save to draft, and leave the words in our minds.

Don’t do this.

Write your words. Then share them with someone you trust.

My favorite posts are written to a single person. A friend asks a question, and I write for them. In those moments I’m not creating abstract concepts for an invisible surly critic. I’m helping my friend.

To get there I have to write more words. Some of it I’m proud of for its own value, but the rest I’m proud of myself for doing it.

We’re far more gracious to friends than ourselves. Let yourself know you’ve done a good job, even if the words aren’t all perfect.