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<\/a>I meet people all the time who say they want to write. Many of them don\u2019t know where to start or even how<\/em> to start. A lot of people are worried about \u201cdoing it wrong\u201d or feel they can\u2019t begin unless they get \u201cpermission.\u201d They don\u2019t know who they want permission from but they know that there must be someone out there who can give it to them.<\/p>\nWhat can you do about this critic? The first thing you need to know is that you\u2019re not alone. Every writer has an inner critic. Some writers are better than others at shutting this critic up. How do you do that? It takes practice and a different way to approach the problem.<\/p>\n Here are a few things that might help you:<\/p>\n If you forget about money for a few minutes, think about the reasons you might motivate you to write. Here are a few:<\/p>\n You may have other reasons to add to the list, but you\u2019ll notice that all these reasons to write are for you. Not one of the things on this list has to do with anyone but you. What\u2019s not on the list:<\/p>\n To win love from someone else<\/p>\n To be liked and admired<\/p>\n To get compliments and praise<\/p>\n To get fans<\/p>\n Writing is like cooking. Imagine you\u2019re alone and you want to eat dinner. You select your favorite foods and the ingredients that you like. You put in all your favorite spices. You cook everything and then it\u2019s done and you are about to eat it. Unexpected guests arrive. You have some extra food so you offer it to them. They accept. Some like what you cooked and others don\u2019t. But it doesn\u2019t matter. You cooked it for yourself. You<\/em> like it. If others do or don\u2019t that\u2019s their choice but it doesn\u2019t change the fact that you cooked what you<\/em> like. And you still<\/em> like it.<\/p>\n Write for yourself first. If others like it that\u2019s nice, but please yourself first. Not everyone will like what you write, but make sure that the most important person does. You.<\/p>\n If you don\u2019t like what you write you can always tear it up or delete it. Or you can rewrite it. Most writing requires lots of rewriting and revision. This is how everyone writes. We don\u2019t necessarily get it right the first time. Keep at it. You\u2019re in charge. Go ahead, start. Give yourself<\/em> permission.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" [et_pb_section bb_built=”1″][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text] I meet people all the time who say they want to write. Many of them don\u2019t know where to start or even how to start. A lot of people are worried about \u201cdoing it wrong\u201d or feel … Continue reading <\/a>All this comes from fear. Fear of failing, fear of being judged, criticized or rejected. These are very real and universal fears. Every writer has them to one extent or another. The problem is that these fears can stop many people from even writing a single word. The fears come from your inner critic. This critic is far worse than any friends, family, or even professional critic can be. This inner critic tells you that you\u2019re no good, that you\u2019re not a \u201creal\u201d writer, that there are more talented writers than you; that your chances of getting anywhere are a zillion to one, so why bother? And other similar negative messages.<\/p>\n\n
<\/a>As far as actually getting started: find a safe place to write where you won\u2019t be disturbed. That can be a private room, your favorite coffee shop, a library, a park bench anyplace where you feel comfortable. Once you find this place give yourself time to write. Do it at your own pace. And remember you don\u2019t have to show your work to anyone. You are allowed to write for yourself alone if that\u2019s what you want. Don\u2019t be the judge and jury of your work. Your early efforts will be just that, early efforts. Be okay with that. Writing is like learning to play an instrument. You will not be ready to give concerts in only a few weeks. Be patient with yourself.<\/p>\n\n
<\/a><\/li>\n<\/a>How do you write? You start writing. Do it a lot so it becomes a habit. When that happens, each word will cease to have the monumental importance that it does now. This will take some of the pressure and stress out of the process. You will begin to understand that nothing you write is carved in stone. You can change anything at any time. Your writing is like your own personal friend and support group. It\u2019s a safe place without judgement. Be gentle with yourself. Any place you start is the right place. There is no right or wrong way to do it.<\/p>\n