So, you've given yourself the perfect space to write in, cleared your diary, made a commitment to write a certain number of words a day, turned off the internet, the radio, the tv, and got ready. But there's a small nagging voice in your head, and it's not complimentary.
It's important to be clear-sighted about your writing, but not to the extent that you don't write at all. Divide your efforts between writing and editing. Every author says it's vital to get into a writing habit, and to make sure you write something, anything, regularly. If your work is blocked, try a writing exercise. While you're writing, if you hear a constant refrain of 'it's not good enough, how can you think you're a writer' - just block it. For this moment, you are the writer. You are writing. That's all you need to do.
Once you've hit your word count, or your time is up, then put it away. Have a coffee break, or even leave it for a day. Then the next time you sit down, concentrate on editing. There's nothing wrong with being ruthless, but you have to have words there to be ruthless about.
Do you have trouble with that voice in your head when you're writing? What do you do about it?
(Editorial Consultant)
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