Writing, in general, is an exercise that wraps the writer in vulnerability. Showcasing our thoughts and feelings for others to read, judge, and analyze can be scary and intimidating. However, no one is more ruthless and brutal than our inner critic. The inner critic is the source of insecurities while writing, which stops us from writing freely, confidently, and to the best of our abilities. As I have mentioned before in past blog posts, the inner critic combined with a blank piece of paper is frightening, and fighting against it is no easy task, especially if the inner critic –or others, tells one’s writing is shitty.
Since nobody wants to feel like their project, writing, or product is shitty –because it affects our morale, Renee Long advises an alternative view to Anne Lamott’s vision of Shitty First Drafts or initial writings and how to address the rude inner critic. Long uses the metaphor of a seed and a tree compared to the first draft and the final project. Though sometimes one may need that extra push that, as Long says, “normalizes imperfections,” that is usually not the case or mood for me. I rather take a gentle approach to my writing than a rash one since I can get demoralized by my writing pretty easily, and that only keeps me from actually writing.
I have had experiences in which tutors gave me “tough love” to incite the writing spark; this only made me doubt my skills and lean on my ineptitude. This is why I feel more compelled to write my first drafts using Long’s view than Lamott’s. However, I understand that my personality type is not the only one out there, and both views serve their specific audiences.
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