There is hope that exists inside every writer–this hope exists to remind you that the work you want is still attainable, still important and worthy to be created.
Write the hope into your work…it needs it.
Keep going!
With Love & Ink,
JBHarris
What is one of the things that I have noticed in my writing career (as both a writer and coach), is this fear that writers have about (1) what they have to say, and (2) being brave enough to say it.
This fear leads to writer’s block, and what I affectionately call ‘The Yipps.’ This is the fear that you have when you know that you have to write, know what you have to write is important–but can’t! This normally happens when you have a project you want to start, but don’t believe that you have the ability to do it.
The fear of being judged, fear of not having your work read–or quite simply? Just believing that you can’t. It is this fear that snowballing into everything else related to your writing and to any future projects!
There is no way around this. There is only a way through it.
The fear is unreasonable, so you, too, must become unreasonable.
Subdue the fear–by writing anyway. Don’t be afraid of what it will say, get it out first. Then we can do back and fix everything else. This is what drafts are for.
So what will you choose to do: are you going to believe the fear or …believe your talent?
Note: An excerpt of the essay, Writing Through the Wall, will be ready on 11/6, and ready for download on 11/9.
The pages are blank.
Fill them.
Now.
With Love & Ink,
JBHarris
The fact that you are writing anything at this point?
That is amazing.
Give yourself credit.
Give yourself grace.
You can do it…one word at a time.
I am proud of you. Keep going.
With Love & Ink,
JBHarris
“Too much”:
noun. The idea that a writer cannot write about what they want for the fear of what people will think or say.
Is this a legitimate fear? Of course. But this is part of the process! In the words of Bishop T. D. Jakes, “You have to feel this fear (you have to acknowledge that it is there!) and do it anyway.” The book that you want to write is within you! The story you want to write is yours, and dependent on your own tenacity and talent!
The work that you create need to reflect exactly what you want to create and that cannot be tethered to the opinions of other people.
You are a writer–so write.
Your job is writing, the audience’s job is to read.
So…give them something to read.
Keep writing!
The time you spend doubting yourself, is time that you can spend writing.
That is it. That is all.
With Love & Ink,
JBHarris
There is no such thing as ‘writing too much’ or having ‘too much to say.’
There are worlds trapped inside your hands. There are imaginary people in your head that need to live.
Keep going!
Keep writing!
With Love & Ink,
JBHarris
You cannot hurt a blank page.
You can offend a blank page by not filling it.
You can do it.
Happy Writing!
With Love & Ink,
JBHarris
There is a power in the continue. I want you to remember that you have something to say, and you have the right to say it.
Writing is one of those things that can be equal parts frightening and freeing.
Say what you must.
With Love & Ink,
JBHarris
Dear Writer-
The pages won’t write themselves. Get back to it.
With Love & Ink,
JBHarris
