The Writer’s Bane

Posted on

The writer’s bane is not lack of paper, a pen out of ink, printers that won’t work, time to write, or lack of caffeine. The writer’s bane is her own self-deception about what writing is. Her own perception of perfection.  It is the little voice inside that says what you pen should be perfect out of the gate. It’s the desire to follow a map that you don’t yet trust. To start the journey in a beat up car that you aren’t sure will make it.  And the inability to trust that when you turn off the main road, down an unknown path, that it might lead to wonderful adventures that you couldn’t possibly have guessed.  So instead of venturing out for the journey of a lifetime, she makes excuses for not doing what needs to be done. Me included.  One finished novel, a file full of short stories and poetry, three more novels in various stages, and I still haven’t fully found an antidote to the old bane of fear and self-doubt. My only weapon is to keep showing up to my lap top every day. To write, despite it all. To remember it’s not about twitter followers, blog comments, book trailers, self publishing or traditional publishing, editors, agents, websites, Facebook groups, book covers, or perfection. It’s about the reader. It’s about the story. So I say throw caution to the wind. Write with wild abandon, and write some more, let you fingers fly across the keyboard and your imagination take you on a fantastical journey. Stop fretting. Don’t let yourself be powered by self-doubt. Let yourself be powered by passion and let self-doubt melt in the fire of your rapture.

5 thoughts on “The Writer’s Bane”

  1. I think every writer knows this bane intimately. Writing is such an isolationistic practice, but we know that eventually our works will be public domain.

    That knowledge has been the the source of an on-going battle of selves between the writer and the perfectionist.

  2. Well said! I always say I’m my own worst enemy. I also suffer from I Suck Syndrome (or ISS). I think it’s important to just write. It’s amazing what you can produce when you’re just free writing, brainstorming, or just journaling.

    I think so many get lost in the networking (althought it is important) and sometimes lose focus.

    Great post =)

  3. Two favorite quotes: First, “Self-doubt and selfism are the cheapest things I ever bought.” Ian McCulloch of Echo & the Bunnymen, from the song The Back of Love. Second, “Literature is strewn with the wreckage of men who have minded beyond reason the opinions of others.” – Virginia Woolf

    Sometimes we have to step back and examine the fear that lies behind our self-doubt. And then, once we lay it out in the full light of day, ask ourselves, ‘Do I really want to allow THIS to hold me back?’ I have to go through such cylces about weekly. 🙂 Nice post!

  4. Hi Heather,

    Great point. I think we all feel this way at times. Doubting and wondering what are we doing. But, I agree write, have fun, and enjoy the ride.

    If you lose sight of why you wanted to write in the first place, you might lose your love for it.

    Thanks for sharing.

Comments are closed.