Feeding the inner critic -

…is easy to do.

So easy, most writers don’t realize they are doing so. Here are a few ways you might innocently be feeding this little monster.

Give it a nibble of a one or two-star review and it can be satiated for a day, month or year!

Invite feedback from people who dismiss your writing as a hobby and it’ll gain a few pounds.

Listen to unsolicited advice about what’s popular, what trend you should follow, what’s important, and you’ve given it the best appetizer.

Dismiss your work before anyone else can by saying “Oh, it’s just a little thing I’m working on.” “I’m not as good as (top author)” “Nobody will probably read it…” this is a savory dessert.

Let it chew on rejections like a jerky by rereading them and keeping your work out of the market in response.

Want to give it something really tasty? Talk about your idea before you write it and let people tell you whether it’s ‘good’ or not.

Want to serve it a seven course meal? Compare. Whether a career, a finished work to your draft, a writing pace, anything, and it will be stuffed for months, years.

But there’s one thing the inner critic worships.

It’s one of the biggest things the inner critic gorges on.

It is…

Delays.

The inner critic LOVES them like a glutton. It’s the most delicious dish. While you’re waiting for a clean desk, a clear plan, the right time, the right moment, the inner critic is gaining not only pound but muscle. It is not only feasting but gaining power, strength.

The inner critic can be voracious, but while you may never completely starve it to death, you can whittle it down with practice.

Put it on a strict diet.

Keep secrets (people don’t need to know what you’re working on). If you can’t talk about your writing without putting it down, then Don’t Talk About Your Writing. Rejections are not meant to be reread and reviews are not meant to be read at all (they are for readers not writers).

Feed your creativity. Read freely, write freely.

Don’t delay.

Because the beast is waiting.