A Thought by Luke Cowling.
The creative process is different for everyone, but you didn’t need me to tell you that. But I think the one thing we all have in common, whether it’s a novel, music, art and anything where you put yourself out there for people: self doubt.
The creative process is different for everyone, but you didn’t need me to tell you that. But I think the one thing we all have in common, whether it’s a novel, music, art and anything where you put yourself out there for people: self doubt.
“This isn’t as good as I could do.”
“My old work is so much better.”
“People just won’t like this.”
I could give you a million examples, but you get the idea. And I am not immune to this phenomenon. In fact, I am especially vulnerable. Every paragraph. Every chapter. Heck, even my entire first novel.
It’s in these moments however, I remember something I read on a website whose name I don’t remember. Probably written by someone notable, but I don’t remember that either, neither are important.
“The worst thing you write, is always better than the best thing you don’t write.”
Ideas come and go. Your brain is constantly coming to brilliant conclusions, or wonderful stories or lyrics, photographic moments etc. Some you can catch in your memory, most slip by. It’s in the ones that slip by that regrets form.
“I wish I wrote that down.”
“This isn’t as good as that idea I had last week.”
My solution?
Just sit down and pour anything that comes out, out. It’ll never be perfect. Nothing is. You might be your own biggest critic. So be it. It’s still better than everything you didn’t write.
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