Victoria Foyt: What's the Dirty Little Secret About Writing?

You want to write, you have a story burning a hole in your heart, but something holds you back. Perhaps you're ashamed to talk about it. You're not alone.

I can almost guarantee you that there is only one thing stopping you from getting to the last page: the Critic in your head!

Like a soundtrack on automatic play, that pesky voice endlessly repeats, "Who are you to think you can be a writer?" Or, once you fill the intimidating blank page, he is waiting with, "This stinks!" And into the trash your hard-won effort falls.

Sound familiar? Take heart. You can defeat this foe. Here is a three-step strategy that works for me:

1. Acknowledge the fear in you. To deny it simply emboldens the Critic—it festers in the dark. Eventually, the negative voice will win out if you ignore it. Shine the light on that nasty thing!

2. Create a dialogue with the Critic. Listen carefully to the attack and parry back thoughtfully. Verbalize to yourself or write the dialogue, like an interview. The key is to be specific! For example, if the Critic’s favorite punch is, "You have no imagination!" then make the best counter-attack possible about that subject. Your defense might be as simple as, "I like to daydream." Or perhaps you'll remind yourself of that fabulous story you want to write!

3. Gradually, you will wear down the Critic. Your writing will progress. Be warned: The Critic won't like this. Like peeling an onion, another layer of criticism will surface, though with less impact. Just repeat the dialogue process. And keep writing. As you gain confidence, the negative tape will fade into the background!

How does your Inner Critic stop you?

Victoria Foyt
Author of The Virtual Life of Lexie Diamond