It has been a while since I posted something other than a book review. Indeed, it has been a while since I've written anything other than a book review. The reasons are many - I've been very busy, I've had a lot of work, this and that - but the real reason is that my inner Editor has been awaken, and that isn't always a good thing for a writer.
We live at the age of reviews. We like to read reviews - they give us quick information, they save us time by recommending or not recommending books, restaurants, even energy companies or television sets. They also turn us into constant critics. Even TV programmes are full of criticism - everything is a competition and everything is open to comment. So when the inner Critic has raised its head and is on the lookout for something to review, suddenly even considering writing is slightly scary. And the strangest part is that the fear is not of being critisised by others but of being slagged off by my very own self.
To be able to finish a piece, whether it is a full-length novel or a short story, a writer needs to lock their Critic up in some cage and not let it out until the whole thing is done. A bit difficult when every now and then I need my lovely Critic to come out and help me review a book or a venue. Maybe it needs a new job description. A new contract that says: 'Inner Critic is contracted to review other people's books only.' I'll try that. In fact, I'll type that up and print it out right away. Or is that procrastination?
We live at the age of reviews. We like to read reviews - they give us quick information, they save us time by recommending or not recommending books, restaurants, even energy companies or television sets. They also turn us into constant critics. Even TV programmes are full of criticism - everything is a competition and everything is open to comment. So when the inner Critic has raised its head and is on the lookout for something to review, suddenly even considering writing is slightly scary. And the strangest part is that the fear is not of being critisised by others but of being slagged off by my very own self.
To be able to finish a piece, whether it is a full-length novel or a short story, a writer needs to lock their Critic up in some cage and not let it out until the whole thing is done. A bit difficult when every now and then I need my lovely Critic to come out and help me review a book or a venue. Maybe it needs a new job description. A new contract that says: 'Inner Critic is contracted to review other people's books only.' I'll try that. In fact, I'll type that up and print it out right away. Or is that procrastination?
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