The string around the finger

I sought fit words to paint the blackest face of woe […]/Oft turning others’ leaves, to see if thence would flow/Some fresh and fruitful showers upon my sun-burn’d brain./But words came halting forth […]/Thus, great with child to speak, and helpless in my throes,/Biting my truant pen, beating myself for spite–“Fool,” said my Muse to me, “look in thy heart and write.”

~Sir Philip Sidney, Astrophil & Stella

This has sort of been the story of my writing life lately. I’ve been trying to figure out certain characters, certain plots…picking my brain to shreds to come up with something perfect.

I have to remember that nothing is ever perfect the first time around. And I have to stop worrying about how people might perceive the character or the plot: I just need to WRITE. It will be cathartic enough to not worry about what everyone else thinks, and once I stop badgering myself, something pure and true is sure to slip out.

Plus, everything gets fixed in post, anyway.

Enjoy your day, self. Don’t worry so much. You have everything you need inside. You (and God) are all that is required to make the incredible happen. Remember that.