I started reading this post yesterday after struggling for hours (yes, pathetic) to write a single page of rough story draft. I couldn’t relate to everything in your post, because I’ve always (okay, since I was about five) thought story writing is hard.

The post simply reminded me that I hadn’t kept my promise to focus on “writing down the bones” (in Natalie Goldberg’s words). I was supposed to let myself be free! I’m still writing a rough draft for my current novel; it’s rewriting, but still, rough. I don’t need to think about all the writing “rules” yet.

A quick trick gave me access to my flow for a brief moment. I considered every nitpicky remark I’d heard from my inner editor that day, rolled the remarks into an imaginary ball, shoved in negative comments I might hear, then threw the ball away. Then I sat down to finish the troublesome page and write about 1,000 more words (4 pages).

Again, thank you. May your gun paralyze knowledge long enough for creativity to guide you to your next goal.

If we all followed the same advice, we’ll all sound the same.

I can’t play the devil’s advocate here, sorry. I won’t even try.

I think Karen and Uninvoked say it all, but like you say, it’s letting go of that editor to get the story out. For myself, some days are easier than not, and on the not days I have somehow trained myself to find that spot inside myself where I have faith. I am blowing it to you – with the time zone difference, it should be there within minutes.

Danielle, quick, start writing that novel before you learn anything more.