Kill the Critic

In the process of writing fifty songs one of my goals was to understand the process of creativity. For myself and for others.  Something that keeps sticking me in the side like a thorn is the voice that says “Yeah, you might write 50 songs, but they’re not going to be ANY GOOD!”

This is not a very nice voice at all.  I have argued with this voice and I have even attached it to different people outside of myself.  It is the voice that will prevent me from doing this process, and it’s the voice that stops many people every single day from writing that verse, painting that picture or singing a song.

My tactic has become this:  Sit down.  Start to write.  The voice says “Yeah but these lyrics aren’t good at all!” “WHAT’S THE POINT!”  I Usually don’t take a deep breath and connect to my spirit animal at this point. Instead I just say.  The process is more important than the result. I keep writing.  Then the critic tends to get wise.  The critic puts on this genuine smile that usually fools me and he says “You know,  I don’t want you to look foolish out there, I’m just trying to help.  Let’s go back and edit some of those lines right now, you know. Just in case.”  Some times this works--although lately I have practiced saying.  Yes I will go back and edit those words BUT I’m not going to do it until I have 50 rough drafts.  Once I have 50 rough drafts then you can come and help me maybe.  I say maybe because I honestly can’t commit to letting the critic have too much creative license in the process.

Give yourself a little break from the critic.  Whether it’s five minutes or an hour.  It is worth it.