The inner critic can be a killer when it comes to writing, that's for sure.

I'm inclined to think the inner critic is made up of at least two parts, with one part being the part of our mind that fears exposing our deepest thoughts and feelings.

Another part might be the natural human laziness, which is natural to us humans as a species. At least that's how I see my inner critic.

As I write this I'm taking a break from a beginning work on a story that my inner critic has already told me won't work. "You don't know enough about the subject." "That's stupid, don't say that!" On and on.

I said, as I usually do, "Shut up! Let's see where this goes."

Sometimes the critic is right, a piece just won't work for one reason or other.

Dolly Parton once remarked, "Sometimes I may write, or start, twenty songs a day. Some just don't go anywhere and I forget those and concentrate on the ones I think will."

Like Dolly, usually we'll know when we hit on something worth pursuing. Then it's time to thump the critic off the shoulder and write on. Write for yourself, then later let that inner critic have a voice while you edit for the reader.

Dee,

Good to hear from you on this topic. You are, as always, thoughtful, reasonable and eloquent.

I think it’s about timing.

Every story, poem, rave, or rant, has its time.

This, I discovered recently, as I reviewed everything I’ve written in the last year. Most withstood the test of time …but a few, forced the question - what was I thinking? Compounding the confusion were the positive comments I received about these pieces at the time.

It wasn’t the topic, or the story line…but instead, something else. At the time, my inner critic happily offered its stamp of approval - I don’t submit or post anything without it. But now, today, these pieces seem somehow different, and even foreign. Certainly, the story didn’t change - it remains words on virtual paper.

I suspect, though, that I’ve changed. Maybe I’m a different writer than I was before. Not necessarily better, or worse, but different.

A few weeks ago I had an idea for a story. I began to write and, initially, my inner critic’s opinion was somewhat less than flattering. So I began again, and ended up, this time, with luke- warm, but hopeful, results.

All right…time out. Probably need to set this one aside for awhile.

And, I’m pleased to report, this past Monday, at work, after only four hours sleep, I gave birth…to a healthy, happy… story. My inner critic, by the way, is ecstatic, and resting comfortably.

I believe that our inner critic is an ally- there to protect us from mediocrity. It’s important, though, that before my writing is accepted by others, it must first be acceptable to me.

What doesn’t work today…

Whenever I sit to write, that's all I do...write. If I hear the critic start to surface at any time, I write faster. I rarely have any trouble with the inner critic any more. It's a sort of state I enter whenever my butt hits the chair.

That and the inner critic loves when I let her out for the editing process. I think that's what keeps her at bay during the writing process ;)

I believe having an inner critic accounts for why so many writers drink to excess. The inner critic is soluable in alcohol. However, alcohol also dissolves the inner editor so eventually, writing turns to mush.

I take a different road. I absolve myself of all guilt and doubt when I sit down to write. I don't care about what anyone will think or say except that I hope that after my inner editor is finished fileting a piece, I have caught as amny of the issues that could take away from the best I could produce - whatever that is. I hope others catch my poor choices and I will listen to them.

The ones I won't listen to are the ones who simply say that they didn't like the piece. Or the ones who compare me to thier favorite writer. That is not critique. It is simply making noise to be heard. It has no substance.

In the rare case where the writer is attacked rather than the writing, I have a nasty response. "Just because you have one doesn't mean you have to act like one." I allow the person to give that ambiguous statement any meaning he or she chooses. It is no longer my problem.

Lollipops and unicorns.