The people I choose as models have a quality that seems to contain the past, the present, and the future all at once. It's hard to explain. I can look at 100 people in a room but only find it in one person. -Amy Sherald
Dear Writers,
When writers ask me what to do when they are stuck—and let’s face it—we all feel this way periodically—I often hear myself say: give yourself permission to write badly. Don’t worry when you’re drafting. #noexpectations If you let yourself write badly, you will find what you need. Your subconscious will work its magic. Your only goal is words on paper.
Then the other day, a writer didn’t simply accept this answer. “But really. WHY does that actually work? And how DO you let yourself write badly . . . especially if you are a perfectionist?
DANG.
She had a point. So, I made a list. Please reply to this post with your suggestions and ideas on writing badly. Because while I do feel like an expert on this subject, I am not the only expert!!!!
What is a draft for? For me? It’s all about DISCOVERY. That’s the main job I have given that first round, and sometimes a few more rounds. So I don’t expect it to be good. Or logical. Or even in order. ALL I need to do is discover who my characters are. I need to put them in scene. See them in action. See what they’re made of. In that first draft, I don’t care as much about story as I care who is going to bring my story to life.
Knowing yourself may make this easier or harder. While I am a perfectionist, I also have NO PROBLEMS deleting. This is because my early writing, no matter how great it is, is always wrong. At first. That makes writing badly easier.
Can you trick yourself? Try some speed writing. Or a group sprint. Or write without your glasses. Or write longhand. Or limit yourself to 15 min a day.
Or try Pomodoro—essentially write for 25 min, rest for ten. (And really rest. No email.) I can do anything for 25 minutes. If you struggle with attention, and that’s what letting your inner perfectionist take over, give this strategy a try.
When I am feeling particularly uptight, I side write. I am serious when I say “EMBRACE PLAY.” Make it a game. Try writing a letter from my main character. Or a prompt. Let your antagonist apologize. See what they say.
No matter what I do, writing badly happens—whether I want it or not. But the plus side is: writing badly really helps me figure out: what my characters want. How my story will/might end. What I want to say. That thing about the subconscious? It’s true. Because mostly, writing badly also means: not listening to my internal editor. When she’s in the back seat (or in a jar with a tight lid), I take more chances.
Bottom line: When we are not thinking about PRODUCT while we write, we tap into our imaginations. When we don't care if it’s good, we write things that maybe spark bigger things. When we are not reading over our shoulders, we are honest. And when all that goes on the page, we can reimagine what we’re writing.
Ready to stretch?????
Really, let’s start with a stretch. Hands over head. Lean to the left. Then the right. Then reach back. Then touch your toes.
Now let’s do something we did in my JUST DO IT class.
Ask your MAIN CHARACTER to give each secondary character one or two or more aliases. For me, this inspired a lot more emotion and tension. I hope it works for you.
Happy Writing!
Here’s some of Amy Sherald’s art. Sherald also makes the images she wants to see in the world.
What do you want to see in the world?????
xo Sarah
Hi Sarah! I love that you are asking us to think about this - perfectionism and writing and overcoming. I have struggling with this for as long as I dipped my toe in writing for children. For me, there is something about creative writing that can cause fear and panic. -While I am sure I was the same perfectionist as a college student (undergrad/grad) there were parameters and metrics and models available that allowed the perfectionism to have a clear road map for success. Give me a rubric and I will deliver above and beyond. :)
I do feel that I used to have the ability to write more freely - until I learned that there were 'rules' about what makes writing good to great. That's when the panic set in. How would I ever really know?!
A few years ago I posed this exact question to writers in the 12x12 FB group and got oodles of suggestions however, one stood out - if this was a real problem that was getting in the way of my goals, this writer said, consider therapy. I didn't want therapy - I wanted to write! Fast forward to today, I am 4 years into therapy and ooh, la, la! Yes, indeed these roots run deep and there has been a lot to untangle. So - for some of us who really struggle - there could be something underneath it all that won't be solved implementing all the best suggestions so lovingly offered.
That being said, I have never stopped trying to find my way in and out and around and under this obstacle to getting my writing done. (However, I have far more ½ finished projects than finished - another issue I am working on!) Writing the sh*&^y first draft is language that paralyzes me - but I have embraced what Kirsten Larson calls 'the kitchen sink draft'. I am trying to develop my 'finish it' muscle which does help with the letting go of getting each word right so that I can type 'The End'. 'Play', for me, needs to have a purpose or a time limit - so, maybe I say to myself - On Monday morning I will spend 1 hour penning a letter to/from my MC to discover X. I have found that many of the exploratory suggestions that are 'side' writing often work better for CBs or MGs - longer form. I do find many of them not quite right for PBs, imo.
Recently I revisited Jeff Tweedy's How To Write One Song, and really enjoyed some of his 'play' suggestions. Although I've let it lapse recently, writing haiku (nature based, inspired by a photo) every week/day has really helped me to remind myself of my creative self even when I am not feeling very positive with my 'book writing'. Delving into the creative processes of folks outside the literary world (e.g. artists, inventors, bakers, etc.) has helped me to understand that creative work is HARD and full of false starts and things that don't work but it's the 'doing the thing' that matters - and will provide the stepping stones to getting better at the craft.
Finally, I recently came across this quote in 'Writing Poetry From the Inside Out' by S. Lyne (recommended by Phyllis Root in a class I recently took with her): 'When I think about it, the happiest, most successful, most fulfilled people I know are the ones who, over time, gave themselves the most permissions-- in all areas of their lives. Guided by the compass of an inner truth, the did not wait for others to tell them what it was okay to do, or wait for others to tell them which steps to take. Through trial and error, they learned how to experiment with their lives. And maybe this worth underscoring: The best writers give themselves the most permissions. The happiest, most fulfilled people give themselves the most permissions. The two go hand in hand."
I know this is long but I gave myself permission to open up ... :)
x
Beth
wonderful entry. And I love your art, Srah. Bravo.