Acts of Malice

Squelchers are the kryptonite of the writer’s psyche, those seductive lies that our internal editor tells us to destroy our creativity. They may reflect the criticisms, or perceived criticisms, of others. Or, they may betray only our own internal self-doubt. But either way, it’s tough to be creative when Younger Self, that creative idea-driven right-brained part of our psyches, is squashed down with the baggage of our squelchers.

So, how do we beat our squelchers and get on with the business of being creative?

Cook’s suggestion is as simple as it is powerful: Write down your squelchers. Then rebut them. In writing. Three rebuttals per item is a good number. Save that sheet of paper (or word processor file). When a squelcher pops up, remind yourself of how you’ve answered it, and then keep writing.

Here’s an example of a couple of my squelchers and how I might rebut them:

Squelcher	Rebuttal
Nobody’s going to take your writing seriously.	Why not? If I take it seriously, others will too.
	Why not? Plenty of other writers are taken seriously, and everyone had to start somewhere.
	So what? The only judgment that really counts is mine.
You’re not good enough to get published.	Why not? I’ve already had many articles published in magazines and newspapers, and a book isn’t really any different - just longer.
	Why not? Plenty of other people get published, and I can write at least as well as some of them.
	Says who? I’ll never know what I can do until I try.
Nobody wants to read what you write.	Says who? I’ve gotten positive responses to my writing before - why should this be any different?
	Says who? I’ll never know if that’s true until I try and find out.
	How do you know? People like all sorts of different kinds of stories - I’m sure I can find people who want to read the stories I have to tell.

So, how about it? What are your squelchers telling you? And what should you be telling them back? Sound off in the comments, and let’s silence our squelchers together.