You sit down to write your book.
Your heart pounds, your stomach is in knots.
Yesterday you were writing without problem.
Now you have writer's block.
What happened? Your inner critic has struck again.
Your inner critic throws harsh criticism at you that destroys your writing confidenceand blocks your natural, creative expression.
The critic attacks writers, "You're not a writer.
Give it up.
" "Somebody else has written this, and better.
" "Who do you think you are, trying to write a book? You don't have what it takes.
" You just want to write your book.
Instead, your writing anxiety builds.
What should you do? You cantry to write anyway and push away the inner critic, but that never works for long.
What you need to do is make peace it.
In three easy steps, you can befriend your inner critic and transform your experience of writing.
As a writing coach, I've seen these steps free writers from the grip of their inner critic over and over again.
The Secret about a Writer's Inner Critic As a writer, you experience the inner critic as harsh and mean-spirited.
The enemy of your creativity.
The truth is this:The inner critic's job is to help you.
Once, long ago, you were harshly criticized by a teacher or family member for something you wrote.
Maybe your parents mocked a story you created.
Or a college professor slammed a paper that you were proud of.
You felt foolish and embarrassed Or, you may have grown up in a critical, demanding family.
No matter what you did, it wasn't good enough.
Your inner critic came to life in those moments, to protect you from being hurt like that again.
It constantly reminds you of the pain of harsh criticism so you'll avoid it.
It's the bully, when you need an ally.
3 Steps to Peace with Your Inner Critic You need to make peace with the critic so you can end your writer's block and write with freedom and enjoyment.
You can do this in just three steps.
Step One: Bring the Critic Out of the Shadows.
The inner critic knocks you flat because you don't see it coming.
Suddenly your just can't write.
So the first step is to heighten your awareness of the critic at work.
You have to notice the harsh messages that lie just beneath your writing anxiety.
I recommend a technique, suggested by writing teacher Heather Sellers, that words wonders.
When you are writing, record the inner critic's barrage of negative thoughts that you hear on a separate page.
Interrupt your writing to get down everything it tells you, such as "You're not even sure what to write.
Just stop.
" ""At the rate you're writing, you'll never finish this.
" Yes, it's a nuisance to stop and record all these thoughts, but it's effective.
Be diligent about it.
Soon, the critical voice will soften and be less insistent.
More important, you now will recognize when the inner critic attacks you.
Step Two: Get to Know the Inner Critic.
This step will transform your relationship with inner critic.
You'll need paper and pen and a little uninterrupted time.
It's easy to dislike someone you don't know.
As you get to know them, compassion and friendliness arise.
The same is true with your inner critic.
Sit quietly with your eyes shut.
Bring to mind the most painful messages the critic hits you with.
Now have a conversation with your inner critic, and write down both sides of the dialogue as it happens.
You might start by asking, "What is your purpose in my life?" Listen for the answer, and write what you hear.
Stay open and curious.
Ask questions that shed light on the inner critic's purpose and expectations, such as "Why are you so worried about my writing? How can I reassure you it's safe?" Write down the answers.
Continue as long as you want.
The more often you do this exercise over the coming weeks, the more quickly the critic will discover it doesn't have to hurl invectives at you.
Step Three: Make the Inner Critic Your Ally.
This final step takes almost no time, but changes the rest of your writing life.
Now that you understand the inner critic's purpose, have another conversation in which you suggest a different, more important role for the critic.
The role of ally.
Tell your critic that you do need its sharp discernment during the final stages of your manuscript.
Invite the critic to reserve its criticism until that stage of the work.
(It's important that you see the real value of this.
Faking this part of the conversation just doesn't work.
) Then listen to and record the critic's response.
You'll be surprised by how readily your inner critic responds to your need for a new kind of help.
You'll feel the internal pressure and anxiety dissolve.
Your creativity will soar in the peace and quiet of your new writing life.