How do you get over being over-critical of your own writing? I try, but sometimes I can’t even put out a paragraph it’s so bad.

neil-gaiman:

joehillsthrills:

I remind myself that no one day of writing matters all that much. A story is built somewhat like a stalactite – one little drip of mud and grit at a time.

I  remind myself that the first few drafts are just for me. That gives me permission to let it be an ungodly mess, full of shit sentences and crap ideas, whipped into a creamy froth with the occasional bits that do work. Later I’ll winnow out the stuff that was no good. What remains will be (I hope) fun, economical, and lively.

It helps (me) to write longhand. I know no one is ever going to see my longhand draft but me. That’s a free pass to suck.

Also, though, I try and work small. If I think a scene blows dead rats, I’ll stop thinking about the big picture, and just think about the next sentence. If I can get down one sentence that really excites me, sometimes it will throw a spark powerful enough to bring a dying moment back to life.

WHAT HE SAID.

I think that may need more emphasis. 

Ahem.

WHAT HE FUCKING SAID.

There.