How To Deal With Self-Editing & Judgement When Writing

So sorry for not sending anything sooner but March break and then spring colds wiped us all out for a bit. Now I am back! Hope everyone is well.

Now that you may have a clearer understanding of your why, it’s time to start putting words on paper. This can feel like a daunting task, but if you take it slowly, you might find it’s actually quite enjoyable.

Many writers—including myself—tend to get caught up in self-editing and judgment while writing. It’s important, especially in the beginning, to resist the urge to go back and revise. Just write down whatever comes to mind. Often, it’s during these free-flowing brainstorming sessions that your best ideas emerge. When I’m writing, I constantly have to remind the logical side of my brain to stop correcting spelling errors or dismissing ideas as “not good enough.”

There’s no right place to begin your story. If you already know how it ends, start there. If a character pops into your head, write about them. Over time, you’ll be able to sift through your notes—and the ideas that keep resurfacing are usually the ones worth keeping.

Celebrate small wins! Set achievable goals for yourself—start with just 5 to 15 minutes a day. The more consistently you write, the more naturally your sessions will begin to lengthen. Before you know it, you’ll feel a deep sense of pride in what you've created.

Main Takeaways:

• Resist the urge to edit or over-correct as you write

• Set small, attainable goals (life is busy—we get it!)

• Begin your story wherever you feel most inspired 

Next time, we’ll explore how to begin organizing your story.

Until then,

Sam