Tuesday, March 12, 2013

I'm Not Perfect, But I Love To Write



I just got a new book, If You Can Talk, You Can Write. At first glance, I thought, No way! I can’t possibly write everything I WANT to say. I’d lose all my friends and for sure uninspire everyone!

Then I began reading the book and realized it’s not about writing uncensored. It’s about writing like we talk and banishing our inner critic. I like the idea of banishing my inner critic. It’s been too loud lately. Ha! Who am I kidding. It’s been loud all my life.

 But lately I can’t seem to write a darn thing I like. No matter what I write—Nope, not good enough. Or, Nope, that’s boring. And if I do manage to get a piece done, I rip it apart. I’m terribly hard on myself. I think it has to be perfect. Whatever that even means.

 Oh, and when I don’t write—which is often— I tell myself it’s writer’s block. Well, the author, Joel Saltzman, says that writer’s block is really perfectionist’s block. It’s a way for us perfectionists to avoid writing because we never think it’s good enough, or it’s never going to be good enough. We make excuses: We have to research. Answer emails. Pour another cup of coffee. Rewrite that scene.

 Bingo! That’s so me! So now that I know the problem, I can fix it.

 No, I lied.

 I can attempt to fix it.

Hello, I’m Pamela and I’m a perfectionist and it’s going to take time to fix my tendency to want to be perfect. And I may never fix it. I may have to accept that I’ll always want to be perfect but I won’t ever be perfect.

In the meantime, I have to let go and do what I love and that’s write. No matter what it’s about—just write.

 So, here I am—writing, because it brings me happiness.

 What makes you happy?

 

8 comments:

  1. "Well, the author, Joel Saltzman, says that writer’s block is really perfectionist’s block. It’s a way for us perfectionists to avoid writing because we never think it’s good enough, or it’s never going to be good enough."

    Excellent point!

    But also, for me, I will usually get blocked if I "think" too much. Sometimes getting away from my computer and doing something completely different will often reignite my creativity; unblocking my mind.

    " I have to let go and do what I love and that’s write. No matter what it’s about—just write."

    You're right. And that's why I set a schedule to post on my blog because it's makes me commit to writing something. And it's amazing how in doing that, I end up with something to write.

    Great post, my friend!

    (((((((( You )))))))

    Have a fantabulous day....x

    ReplyDelete
  2. I've been the same way lately Pamela! Everything I think I want to write about...I don't! I think no one will be interested, and that whatever I write has to great, funny orinspirational. BAH to that! Let's get writing again Friend!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Ron, yes, I "think" too much too! And getting away does help. Although then I'll think of something brilliant but then forget it by the time I get back to the computer! ;)


    I would set a schedule, but it would go wonky. Like everything else does when I plan. So I try to not plan and just go with the flow. Or rather I "fit it in" after all my other stuff is done. Sheesh, that is dumb. I should change that.


    ((HUGS))

    ReplyDelete
  4. Mo, since it's not just me, maybe the weather has something to do with it. It's so darn yucky I can't stand it. I'll be somewhat happy when spring gets here. I say "somewhat" because then I'll be bitching because my neighbors' dogs will be yip-yapping all the time. Guess I'm just hard to please. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  5. HEY!!! I can comment again! This makes me so happy I can't even remember what your post was about, and I don't care cuz I CAN COMMENT!!! Course....commenting on what you said would be way cool but I can't be picky....:)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi Grammy! Good to see you. Glad you can comment again. Now I just have to post more often. ;) And get around to other blogs. I've been bad...well not really. I've been fighting bronchitis for 2 freaken months!!

    ((HUGS))

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi Pamela!
    I found you through Ron at Vent. I totally agree about the perfectionist thing. I had gotten away from my blog for a while because life was too overwhelming and I didn't think anything i had to say was relevant enough. Then I thought, F-it!, it only has to be relevant to me. If people read it and like it, that's great. If not, that's ok, too.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi Chrissy! Welcome. :) Ron is one of my favorite peoples.


    Life can be overwhelming and I've often thought what I had to write wasn't important. But like you, I decided it doesn't matter if anyone else reads, although I do like it. So I write and, viola, people DO read. It's awesome.


    Thanks for stopping by!

    ReplyDelete

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