Inner Critic vs. Inner Editor
Working for myself has been a journey.
Kind of like working for a toxic boss at first. I didn’t know how to treat me, and I was way worse at giving myself grace than I have ever been at extending grace to other people.
It took me years (and a little help) to realize there were opposing forces in my head, and they both had a voice.
What mattered was which one I listened to.
As writers, artists, or creatives of any stripe, we all have critics. We have editors, too.
We can’t choose our critics, but we can choose our editors, and that choice begins inside our own heads.
Inner Critic
INHIBITS future progress.
Criticizes EVERYTHING you do.
Convinces you YOU are wrong.
Leaves you nothing to DO.
Inner Editor
VALIDATES the work you’ve done and ENCOURAGES future work.
Illuminates the POSITIVE, which in turn casts into relief what needs work.
Highlights problems with the WORK.
Points the way FORWARD toward progress.
Which Will You Feed?
I didn’t use my capitals randomly that time. If you notice, I gave you a shortcut to remembering which is which:
Inner Critics: Inhibit Everything You Do
Inner Editors: Validate and Encourage Positive Work Forward.
We all have both an Inner Critic and an Inner Editor. Which one is stronger depends entirely on which one we’re willing to listen to most of the time.
Need to develop your Inner Editor?
Ask for help. Chances are, you are too close, too deep, or too sensitive, and you can’t see the forest for the trees. If you’re not even sure where to start, use the quick cleaning method, even if you just make a list.
When you have guests coming unexpectedly, you clean what you can, right? You make a priority list from the front door to the bathrooms, and you get moving. It’s the same with quick editing.
- Make a list of all the things you’d fix if you could.
- Make a list of all the things that cannot change without ruining everything.
- Make a list of problems.
- Make a list of questions you want answered.
- Make a list of everything you want your reader/audience to experience through your work.
Even if you only have a list at the end of this process, you will have SOMETHING, which is NOT NOTHING. A list is a great place to start, either for yourself or for your next reader.
If you’re looking for a little more guidance, ASK ME about one of these courses starting in June. They are mind-blowingly simple but powerful tools that you will use over and over again, I promise, because I do. Let’s get something done this summer, what do you say?
Take the NEXT STEP: Sign up for LIVING WRITE or EDIT SOBER (GROUP courses) starting JUNE 2026
LIVING WRITE and EDIT SOBER are 5-week courses that include a guided journal with practical prompts and exercises to keep you moving forward every day for more than a month. Asynchronous courses are also available!
LIVING WRITE is for starting or refreshing a creative routine AND/OR for finishing a first draft of any project.
LIVING WRITE INTEREST FORM: This is NOT a commitment. There is NO obligation. Only Interest.
EDIT SOBER is for whipping a “Dirty Draft” into shape for ALPHA or BETA Readers or an Editor.
EDIT SOBER INTEREST FORM: This is NOT a commitment. There is NO obligation. Only Interest.
INTERESTED? [COMMENT or DM ME the name of the course you’re interested in!] Keep an eye on my Instagram! Video descriptions are coming soon.
CURRENT NOVEL PROGRESS
TDG is LIVE: https://a.co/d/9YJ3ztr
ASD Draft 1: GOAL: 50K-word draft by May 31, 2026!
Current Word Count: 17,584
I took some time away without really meaning to, and now I think I’m ready to return. I dumped what I had left and am working on new words this week. Wish me luck!
HAPPENING THIS MONTH
Tuesday Evenings: YouTube Stream at 5 PM Central / 6 EST
Creative Collective: NEXT MEETING (tentatively): JUNE 1, 2026 @7:30 PM
In Other News
Don’t forget, if you’re having trouble naming your passion, finding time to work, or just want to discuss your WIP, I’m only a click away. Take the time. You won’t regret it.
Start or Finish today. I can help.
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