Kill Your Inner Critic Before It Annihilates Your Writing Career
You can shriek "Shut UP!" or try these actionable strategies
The inner critic—a relentless voice that whispers (or shouts) doubts and insecurities, threatening to derail even the most promising creative endeavors. It's a common foe for writers, but thankfully, not an unbeatable one. Let’s consider some strategies to silence that inner critic, at least temporarily, so you can unleash your creative potential:
1. Name it and shame it (kind of)
Recognize the critic's tactics. Become aware of the specific things your inner critic says. Does it focus on grammar? Plot holes? The originality of your ideas? Identifying its favorite attack vectors helps you anticipate and deflect them. And it’s a good place to start investigating your insecurities—do some homework on your weak areas.
Give it a silly name. This might sound ridiculous, but it works. Instead of a terrifying monster, your inner critic becomes "Brenda the nitpicker" or "Carl the comparison king." Humor can diffuse its power.
Acknowledge its presence, but don’t make eye contact. Say to yourself, "Okay, Brenda, I hear you. But I'm writing now, and you can chime in later during editing." This acknowledges the critic without letting it take over.
2. Shift your focus
Focus on your process, not the outcome. Instead of worrying about the final masterpiece, concentrate on the act of writing. Enjoy the flow of words, the exploration of ideas. The process is where the magic happens.
Set small, achievable goals. You could say, "Write a novel," but it’s more prudent to aim for "Write 500 words today" or "Outline Chapter 3." Small victories build momentum and quiet the critic's negativity.
Visualize success. Visualize yourself writing confidently, enjoying the process, and producing something you're proud of. Positive visualization can counteract the critic's doom-and-gloom predictions.
3. Reframe negative thoughts
Boldly challenge the critic's assumptions. Is it true that your writing is "terrible"? Or is it just not perfect yet? Question the validity of the critic's pronouncements and allow yourself to build great writing step-by-step.
Turn "shoulds" into "coulds.” "I should write like Hemingway" becomes "I could experiment with a more concise style." This shift in language makes the task less intimidating and less prone to criticism. You invite yourself to grow rather than beat yourself up.
Focus on what you do well. Even in a rough draft, there are things to be proud of. Maybe you nailed a particular scene, or you came up with a clever plot twist. Acknowledge these successes to boost your confidence. Recognize your strengths and empower those skills.
4. Create a safe space for creativity
Write in a distraction-free environment. Minimize interruptions and create a space where you can focus without judgment. And for Pete’s sake, turn off the television.
Set aside dedicated writing time. An essential habit to develop: Treat your writing time as a sacred appointment. This sends a message to your brain (and your inner critic) that writing is important.
Find a writing buddy or group. Sharing your work with trusted friends or fellow writers can provide encouragement and constructive feedback—drown out the inner critic's voice.
5. Practice self-compassion
Remember, everyone struggles. Even the most successful writers have inner critics. You're not alone in this.
Be kind to yourself. Treat yourself with the same compassion you would offer a friend struggling with their writing. Be honest with yourself, but not brutal.
Embrace imperfection. Perfectionism is a trap. Accept that your writing (and you) will never be perfect, and that's okay. Imperfection is where creativity thrives. If you adopt only one of these suggestions, make this the one.
6. The nuclear option (Use sparingly)
Schedule "worry time.” Allocate a specific time (e.g., 15 minutes at the end of the day) to indulge your inner critic. Really wallow in the muck of your insecurities. This can help contain its influence during your writing time.
Write down your critic's concerns. Getting the negative thoughts out of your head and onto paper can help you analyze them more objectively. Then, put the list away or burn it once your worry time is over, and focus on your writing and your strengths.
The inner critic is a persistent beast, but you can tame it. These strategies can help you manage it, allowing you to get your words on the page and unleash your creative potential. Remember, the more you write, the stronger your creative voice becomes, and the quieter that inner critic will be. However, I’ve said this before—if you are certain particular areas of your writing don’t measure up, fix them. Take a class. Study other writers. Read voraciously. Practice.
The only way you’ll fail is if you give up.
If you need a boost, look into this course that’s a cut above typical online fare. Write-Earn-Repeat might be the leg up you need. It costs nothing to explore this new course—in fact, you’ll get a free book just for looking.
My inner critic is named Wingnut and sits on my desk, giving me the stare down.
Your suggestions are very helpful. Having a regular, consistent accountability buddy is helping me keep my own relentless, lying inner critic quieter. But alas, it is a lifelong challenge. Thx, Maryan. 🌸