You Can’t Edit a Blank Page

I mean, the title is the post.

It’s the best writing advice I’ve ever read. I don’t know where I came across it – writers read, writers research, and writers, perhaps all else, read and research the craft of writing. I googled and apparently it traces back to author Jodi Picoult, and while I am not really a fan of her writing, I’m a big fan of her life advice, it seems.

I’m working on two new creative writing projects at once. Plus I’m still cranking out thousands of words a day for my actual job. I’ve never really had a problem getting words to flow but lately I’ve felt that old nagging feeling that everything I pump out is not good enough. I’m too scattered, unfocused, and nothing is getting the love it needs. A mother with too many children, and not enough attention to go around, it seems.

On mornings like this I sit in front of my computer feeling overwhelmed and think, “You can’t edit a blank page.” Get the crap out. Force words from my fingertips. Throw ideas against the wall like half-cooked spaghetti and see what sticks.

There will be time later to polish these ugly rocks into gemstones, it seems.

The post You Can’t Edit a Blank Page appeared first on Lynn Jatania.