"My first unpublished post was written on January 1st. Then I sat on it until August"
This was me also. I created my newsletter in January and didn't get up the nerve to post anything until July. But, better late than never :-)
I love the quotes about thinking being the enemy of creativity. In my experience, that's absolutely true. You can intellectualize the idea, the revision, the analysis, but not the creation. That comes from somewhere else. I couldn't say where... and probably don't want to know.
Seriously! I don't really know, but for me I think it was because I got hung up on "I won't publish until it's perfect," knowing nothing was ever going to be perfect. It wasn't until I decided to let go of that and say screw perfection! that I could hit publish. Now I kind of enjoy the thrill of writing messy posts ;-) I read another writer who said he thinks of each new post as an opportunity for evolution--to leave behind his former self and grow with each new post. I kind of like that idea. Even if maybe the internet isn't so forgiving, as writers we can try to be.
I love the community here too, and I really enjoy your writing! I'm looking forward to reading more in the coming year :-)
"My first unpublished post was written on January 1st. Then I sat on it until August"
This was me also. I created my newsletter in January and didn't get up the nerve to post anything until July. But, better late than never :-)
I love the quotes about thinking being the enemy of creativity. In my experience, that's absolutely true. You can intellectualize the idea, the revision, the analysis, but not the creation. That comes from somewhere else. I couldn't say where... and probably don't want to know.
All the best to you in the new year!
Why is it so hard to start? Looking back it seems silly, but obviously I’m not alone.
I love Bradbury’s quotes. They always help me pull my head out of my ass and stop taking everything so seriously…until the second draft 😂
I’m excited to see what you do this year. I love the community of writers on Substack and you have been an enormous encouragement to me.
Seriously! I don't really know, but for me I think it was because I got hung up on "I won't publish until it's perfect," knowing nothing was ever going to be perfect. It wasn't until I decided to let go of that and say screw perfection! that I could hit publish. Now I kind of enjoy the thrill of writing messy posts ;-) I read another writer who said he thinks of each new post as an opportunity for evolution--to leave behind his former self and grow with each new post. I kind of like that idea. Even if maybe the internet isn't so forgiving, as writers we can try to be.
I love the community here too, and I really enjoy your writing! I'm looking forward to reading more in the coming year :-)
Thanks for the encouragement! Now... to write.