WTFB--The Hardass Message
Music I'm listening to: Fascist Groove Thang by Heaven 17
I am many things to my clients. Some need their writing coach to give gentle nudges, others want companionship and commiseration, some seek help with the nuts and bolts of the craft, and some need a hardass to stand over them with a whip until they finish their books. My goal is always to do what is best and most helpful for each of my clients, whatever that may be.
Ahem. This message is for those needing the hardass whipcracker. You've been warned. Proceed at your own risk.
- - - - - - -
WTFB: Write the f***ing book.
An incredibly talented friend has been waffling about whether to continue writing. Frankly, her writing is so good that she makes other talented writers drool. The Goddess of Prolific and Swoon-Worthy Prose has rung her doorbell on many an occasion. Yet at times, I've had to drag my friend by her lovely locks to the scary Writing Chair, shackle her to it, and go open the door for the Goddess—otherwise, my friend would be feigning deafness and cowering under the duvet.
It's the darnedest, most contrary thing I've ever seen. And yet it's perfectly understandable to anyone who's spent time in That Chair.
Dearest readers, I was "blocked" for many years—which, for me, is really shorthand for I was too scared to try. Let me tell you, the pain of NOT writing, the guilt and shame of wasting creative dreams, is MUCH worse than the pain of actually writing.
And yet some people choose to take on the greater pain.
Why is that? Often it's because of that old saying: the demon you know is better than the one you don't. (Or at least that's what the D.Y.K.—the demon you know—insists, often and loudly, and right in your ear.)
Demons? Sure, they're out there. Call them what you will: D.Y.K., Inner Lizard, Bitchy Inner Critic, AntiMuse. But whatever you name yours, ignore its whispering. Or duct tape its mouth and lock it in a soundproofed closet. It will only lead you back into the pain of Not Writing.
So sit down and WTFB. Do it or don't. Because either you want to be a writer, and you're willing to do what it takes to make that happen, or you're not.
You decide.
Now go WTFB and make your coach proud.
Best of all, go make yourself proud.
I am many things to my clients. Some need their writing coach to give gentle nudges, others want companionship and commiseration, some seek help with the nuts and bolts of the craft, and some need a hardass to stand over them with a whip until they finish their books. My goal is always to do what is best and most helpful for each of my clients, whatever that may be.
Ahem. This message is for those needing the hardass whipcracker. You've been warned. Proceed at your own risk.
- - - - - - -
WTFB: Write the f***ing book.
An incredibly talented friend has been waffling about whether to continue writing. Frankly, her writing is so good that she makes other talented writers drool. The Goddess of Prolific and Swoon-Worthy Prose has rung her doorbell on many an occasion. Yet at times, I've had to drag my friend by her lovely locks to the scary Writing Chair, shackle her to it, and go open the door for the Goddess—otherwise, my friend would be feigning deafness and cowering under the duvet.
It's the darnedest, most contrary thing I've ever seen. And yet it's perfectly understandable to anyone who's spent time in That Chair.
Dearest readers, I was "blocked" for many years—which, for me, is really shorthand for I was too scared to try. Let me tell you, the pain of NOT writing, the guilt and shame of wasting creative dreams, is MUCH worse than the pain of actually writing.
And yet some people choose to take on the greater pain.
Why is that? Often it's because of that old saying: the demon you know is better than the one you don't. (Or at least that's what the D.Y.K.—the demon you know—insists, often and loudly, and right in your ear.)
Demons? Sure, they're out there. Call them what you will: D.Y.K., Inner Lizard, Bitchy Inner Critic, AntiMuse. But whatever you name yours, ignore its whispering. Or duct tape its mouth and lock it in a soundproofed closet. It will only lead you back into the pain of Not Writing.
So sit down and WTFB. Do it or don't. Because either you want to be a writer, and you're willing to do what it takes to make that happen, or you're not.
You decide.
Now go WTFB and make your coach proud.
Best of all, go make yourself proud.
posted by Katey Coffing, Ph.D. | 8:00 PM
1 Comments:
Hmm...this friend of yours, is she short, bossy and Floridian? I think I know her. LOL
I printed off WTFB and taped it to my desk hutch.
Shelby
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