You Should Be Writing: A Journal of Inspiration & Instruction to Keep Your Pen Moving (Gift for Writers)

"I observed that Nita would have inspired many readers through her books. 'I can't think of the person reading my books when I write. I have a coaster: Dance like no-one can see you. I need one that says: Write like no-one is reading. When I edit, I think about the reader but not when I'm writing.' I commented on that inner critic who sits on our shoulder when we write. We have to learn how to silence them so the writing can flow. Nita worked as an assistant to bestselling author of Writing Down the Bones, Natalie Goldberg, for many years and took several of her classes. The writing practice Natalie teaches is to set a timer and just write. Natalie Goldberg talks about the Guardians at the Gate. She visited a Zen monastery in Japan. Huge, grotesque statues stood at the gates. Natalie says that your inner critic is like the guardians. They roar, 'How much do you want this? What are you prepared to risk?' Our inner critic is trying to protect us. Nita says that she has a guardian on one shoulder and a little cheerleader with pom-poms on the other, chanting, 'You can do this, Nita!' The guardian is louder with its roar but they both want the best for her. I asked how she makes her peace between those two voices. 'I often think the guardian/inner critic is trying to keep me safe. So, I just think: I know you are trying to protect me, but it's okay I have a plan. Let's just see where it goes. You just have to keep moving. It's like writing. The inner critic is yammering away at you, but you just have to keep your hand moving along the page. So long as you are writing, the inner critic won't catch you.' This is why Natalie Goldman uses periods of time for writing. You keep your hand writing, no matter what. That's the key. If you don't acknowledge the inner critic, it starts screaming. So, it's important to acknowledge it calmly."
-Deborah Klee, author and host of The Mindful Writer podcast