THE WRITING ASYLUM

The SmackDown, Let the Battle for the Brain Begin

Even seasonal writers get stage fright. This week I’ve struggled. For years I have been sharing flash fiction on my blog and exposed to the world how writers slowly lose their minds to the madness known as storytelling. 

This week I started double thinking and questioning myself. 

Don’t send that shit, you’ll scare readers away! Think of how well you’re doing. Don’t you dare hit that “publish” button. You’ll ruin everything.

PUBLISH.

Yay — oh no… no yays yet… don’t be stupid. 

You can delete. It’s not too late. 

The stomach starts to do its thing like the brain isn’t enough. A gang up. Bullying isn’t cool. When your mind and body troll you. CANCEL. Why can’t I boot the pair from my system? Bitches!

But like any battle, I make sure I win. Nothing great is achieved without risk. The more you push past the internal bullies, the less control they have. In my experience, ignoring the voices is a fruitless effort. Bullies only hit back harder and stronger. Shrugging with a “fuck you, I’m doing it” is more effective. If I fall on my face? So be it. At least I tried and stopped letting the internal voice control me. 

That internal voice does not have our best interest at heart. It’s our shadow talking. And according to Jungian theory (psychology), the shadow’s job is to protect our egos. So thank you very much Shadow, now kindly piss off. 

Because referring to myself in the third person and having conversations with The Muse wasn’t enough, now I address my shadow as an entity of sorts. Writers, we’re all stark raving mad. And love it!

Push through the feelings. The other side might surprise you. I’m a bad judge when it comes to my own writing. Stories I think should be flashed are often a hit. So all I can say is, writers post that shit! After you edit the shiny turd. 

Exceptions: When to Listen to the Self-Doubt Voice

Unedited work is unforgivable. You deserve bullying from the shadow and stomach. You are being told your work isn’t ready. 

If the story is extremely personal think twice about posting. Genies don’t go back into bottles once they are free. Maybe we aren’t ready to be exposed. 

A battle might also be a sign the story goes against your values. I have a big mouth — I know, I know you’re gasping, it can’t be true. On occasion, trying to be funny screws me over. My intention is never to hurt. Okay, okay, I’ve had my moments. My point is, my gut might be advising me to tone my language down. In the end, I have to live with what I write. There has to be a standard.

And word of warning, never trust the muse. She’ll have you exposing EVERY-DAMN-THING! She doesn’t give flying hoots that consequences are real. Her objective is to create.

At any rate, there is nothing this week I have posted that I am ashamed of. My shadow is being a 🍆.

Hmm, Tannille, you’re not really going to post this are you? You’re going to make us all look insane.

PUBLISH!

~*~

Do you ever suffer from poster regret? Does sharing give you anxiety?