Writing Goal – Finishing Things – Part 4

I didn’t make my writing goal of finishing my play. I did an evaluation and to be fair to myself I did have a lot on and it wasn’t my only project. While I did improve what I had it felt like I was polishing stuff that’s not right/will need changing as I still don’t like the story shape or the ending.

I highlighted ways I needed to feel in order to finish it I came up with adventurous, trusting, brave enthusiastic. I basically need to feel the opposite of precious about the text. I want to feel like I can rip into it/make big changes. Daring maybe? However I struggled to find the thoughts to get myself to feel those feelings.

I’ve been thinking a lot about what Maisie said about how if you want a different result you need to make different decisions often about mindset. I think it comes down to that I don’t actually believe I can write a good story. I don’t want to think this but it’s like a horrible nagging doubt in my mind. Having so often got to this point and not managed to get past it there’s a sense of this always happens and I don’t have the proof I can do it. I know the only way I will get the proof is through writing it but I feel very stuck in this model.

 

 

Answer:

Feel free to disagree, but what comes to me here is that perhaps what’s happening is your lower brain is doing it’s job of keeping you stuck. It wants to conserve energy. Part of it doesn’t want to finish the play. And it’s sneakily using thought work as an obstacle.

What if you don’t have to find thoughts to create a feeling at all? You just need to get writing.

I love this idea of being daring. Think of someone you know who you admire for their daring.  What do they do? Embody them. Borrow their courage. Perhaps even a character in your play is daring? How much time does a daring person spend analyzing their thoughts? We’re not saying thought work isn’t amazing and useful in so may ways. But sometimes we just need to get into our Action line and get moving.

That inner critic is going to be there, telling you you can’t. It will show you all the ways you’ve failed in the past. That’s ok. Bring that part of you along as you move towards your goal.  What is the next bold step you can take? When will you accomplish it by? You aren’t behind, you’re right where you’re supposed to be.

We don’t normally make action suggestions, but from what you’ve said here I wonder….Do you ever invite feedback on your writing? It’s very daring but can really help with some of the hurdles you’ve mentioned. What do you think?