i know we are our own worst critics. but exclaiming “my writing is horrible” is not at all helpful. be more gentle with the words you use. you know how detrimental those words can be to other writers. that’s why we don’t go around saying it. you gotta give yourself the same respect you give other writers
I hope you don’t mind me adding on to your post, but I wanted to share a method I found for dealing with what I’ve learned is called artist’s blindness.
I actually have a story about how I learned to overcome it myself. It’s not with writing exactly but I find the method works in all creative fields I’ve dabbled in regularly, writing included. I like to think of it as the “Editor’s Effect”, since it usually involves a second party’s hypothetical opinion.
I used to draw a lot. I’m going through a block right now, but I used to do it constantly. And like so, I was drawing at a 4th of July festival when I was sixteen, and like any artist, dismaying over what I saw as little imperfections.
I’m approached early on during the festival but before the actual festivities by a girl a few years younger than me. I’m terrible with names, but I think hers was Aubrey.
I looked up when I noticed a lingering shadow by my shoulder to see her watching my drawing. I can’t remember if I was working on the line art of the sketch or the actual coloring. I just know she had a lot to compliment about it.
Everything she liked about it had all those little imperfections I was upset with. And she liked them for those details.
We talked for hours after that: about media (specifically Owl House), about friends, about dealing with ADHD, our experiences with questioning gender and sexuality; it was one of those deep but versatile conversations you can only have with a stranger. And it went on for hours.
Sadly, for whatever reason I can’t recall, we weren’t really able to exchange information, but I think about that day every time I struggle with those little details in my artwork. I ask myself if Aubrey would like it.
This is where the editor’s effect plays in. Think of one person you have deeply connected with and/or cherish the opinion of, if not cherish in general. Ask yourself how they might see it, what they might like about it.
It can be anyone. A stranger you’ve only spoken to once and never seen again, your closest friend in the whole wide world, a role model you look up to or even aspire to be like, anyone. Just think of how that one person might like what it is that you made.
Think of somebody who will like it for all those imperfections you so perceive.
