What I Did Last Night

Posted by danleone on April 27th, 2007 filed in writing

I began the process of beginning to think about starting to organize my writing…and then I watched The Office.

I believe that Ellen DeGeneres once said:

Procrastination isn’t the problem, it’s the solution. So procrastinate now, don’t put it off.

I am so afraid that I am simply wasting my time with this. Why should I devote hours of my day (when I don’t even have a spare minute in my day) to writing down words no one will read and that might not even be that good? Last I checked, I have 3 kids. Last I checked, I need to work for a living. Last I checked, I need to pay bills. If this is just a hobby, then perhaps I should up reading. At least with reading, I am not pretending to be on display.

I am so afraid of coming across as a poseur that I sometimes hate seeing my own words. I know hate is a strong word, but it really fits. Perhaps, it is because I know what goes into a story and even when I am making up characters and traits I really am picking and choosing my own characters and traits that I want to highlight.

How do you overcome your self-doubt?

By the way, you are allowed to say “quit your whining!”

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4 Responses to “What I Did Last Night”

  1. Michael Says:
    April 27th, 2007 at 10:41 am

    I’ve found that sometimes all it takes is going back and reading some of the things you have written. With me I found that most was miserable stuff but every so often I would find something that would impress even me and I am real picky…

    Sort of like the game of golf. All it takes is one great shot to remind me why I play…

    Take Care
    Michael

  2. Stephanie Says:
    April 27th, 2007 at 1:12 pm

    Dan,

    Do what moves you, when you can. Be yourself, reveal yourself through your characters, TRUST yourself. The rest will work itself out. I feel the same way when I write poetry. The self-recrimination in the pursuit of perfection can be paralyzing. Just take a deep breath, and WRITE!!

    Steph

  3. danleone Says:
    April 27th, 2007 at 4:21 pm

    Hello Michael:

    Finding a diamond in the rough is a good technique. I will re-read some of my stuff BUT what if the “best shot” I ever written reminds why I SHOULDN’T be writing?!

    Thanks!

    Hello Stephanie:

    Thanks again for talking me off the ledge!

    Dan

  4. Yamagoo Says:
    April 28th, 2007 at 2:32 pm

    Hey listen Dan…I’m reading and other are and will. Are you writing for you or for others? Make that determination. If it’s not for you..tell yourself to get over it. If it IS for you then stroke your faves over and over. Write what makes you happy to read and then its done. The important thing is to write cause if you don’t the words will well up inside you and choke you. They will murder your “real” life and all those “responsibilities” will fall by the wayside anyway.
    Just write..

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