Luckily, we have people like you and this community to help combat that. Your idea to “don’t even thin about criticizing the way you write until you’re in the editing phase” is a great one that I hope I can remember because you’re absolutely right — second-guessing can be the greatest downfall. It’s easier said than done when you know you need to trust yourself, trust your ability, and trust your passion, especially when a writer is their own worst enemy.

Thanks for the wise advice (and, always, the support and friendship!) — it’s something every writer can take to heart.

More than that, though, you need to stop being so overly critical of yourself. Don’t even think about criticizing the way you write until you’re in the editing phase; otherwise, you’ll just wind up shooting yourself in the foot, second guessing everything you write, and destroying any momentum you had going for you. I should know. I’ve had to bandage up my own feet WAY too many times. I walk with a limp now, though I pretend it’s swagger.

To paraphrase Red-Green, keep that pen on the pad! We’re all pulling for you!

And I checked out your website — nicely done! A great way to hold yourself accountable. Thanks for all of the insight and sharing your story; looking forward to hearing more from you

Have fun writing!

I would be interested to know how you started your novel and any additional advice or insights you might have. It sounds like you’re on an exciting adventure with your book and I wish you the very best (and lots of inspiration!) with it!

Anna: I think I’ve become so used to writing short stories and vignettes that even the idea of tackling the novel again seems a daunting undertaking. I’m at a crossroads as to where I stand with planning vs. just writing. On the one hand, I can see the benefits of planning — the story needs to have a direction. On the other, I fear that I wouldn’t be able to reach that balance and that I would over-analyze, perhaps plan too much. Perhaps I need to take that advice (and invest in that book!) and learn how to lead the story in the right direction, perhaps take it from there. Thanks for your insights, as always. You’ve provided something even more for me to think about as well.

Good luck, fellow writer.

I feel for you! Plot is difficult to hammer out, and it sounds like you are overwhelmed by giving birth to a whole book at once.

You say you are not a planner, but that is exactly what I suggest you do. I am struggling with the same issues as you are (except I haven’t touched my novel since December…of ‘07! Don’t let that happen!) and I have come to the conclusion that plotting the novel is necessary.

Instead of seeing it as a story spoiler, I am choosing to see the plotting process as the exciting part. I’m finding out what happens just as organically, but I’m using a bigger brush, so to speak. Then after I lay out the plot, guess what? I get to go back and rediscover all the exciting details! (Actually, I’m getting more excited about plotting as I write this. It’s time to go crank plot!)