Dear Mr. Inner Critic...Bugger Off!

Writing is a funny thing. Not ha-ha funny, but the kind of funny that makes you scratch your head and say huh!

As writers, we tend to spend an awful lot of time in our heads, completely alone. Sure we have our characters to keep us company, but sometimes that's just not enough. I often find myself getting frustrated with my work - I doubt I'm alone on this - and that's when Mr. Inner Critic shows up.

Guild of Ghostwriters

He's a jerk. He's always telling me I suck and that I'm wasting my time. I dislike the man. Yes, my inner critic is a male. He hasn't told me his name yet, but I'll get it outta him sooner or later. *shakes fist*

I'm still working out ways to shut him up. I find writing down his nasty words then combating them with positives helps. It's a full out argument, but at least it's on paper thereby reducing my crazy quotient significantly,  *cough* at least I hope it does.

Another trick I've learned more recently is showing off my stuff. Hmm, I think this requires further explanation. I am NOT an exhibitionist. Promise.

What I mean is stopping the cyclical mind games that Mr. Inner Critic and I play, and going out to get some hardcore proof that I DON'T SUCK.

A few weeks ago I sent out Part Two of my NaNoWriMo novel to a few writer friends. I reminded them it was only a once-edited draft and asked them to read it and provide some very honest feedback on structure and content. Well, the initial response was FABULOUS! In fact it was just the ammo I needed to tell Mr. Inner Critic where he can shove his negative attitude.

Needless to say he ran off, tail between his legs, whimpering like the measly coward that he is. I'm under no delusion that he won't return. I know he will, but this time I'll be quicker to give him a dose of pure, unadulterated optimism. Just the cure for a sourpuss.

How do you combat your nasty inner critic?