How to Silence the Internal Editor When Writing

The Internal Editor is the voice within that critiques what you're writing, especially your first draft, while you're writing it. It tells you what you're writing is not good enough, and no one will want to read your words. Read on to learn more.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Realize that you're writing the first draft. First drafts are rarely polished. Give yourself permission to write a first draft that needs work.
2. Put it down on the page. When you begin a writing project, type or write your ideas on the page as quickly as possible. If you allow your Internal Editor to rule, it will rob you of valuable ideas.
3. Forget correct spelling—just write! You can always return to fix it. The same is true for grammar.
4. Use free writing to silence the Internal Editor. Free writing is where you write whatever comes to mind, and I do mean whatever. For example, free writing looks something like this: "I wonder about toast. I haven't eaten it in awhile, why am I thinking about, the leaves are blowing out side my window and I hear my daughter practicing her voice is pretty why are the kids, drums are the high school practicing." If you continue, you may find a few nuggets to use to fashion a story.
5. Tape sayings and messages in your writing area that remind you that whatever you write. You can always fix them later.
6. Keep your work private, if you desire. No matter what your Internal Editor says, no one ever has to see your drafts but you.

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