What keeps us from writing

As I write through the nanowrimo event I find myself wondering why I fight sitting in the chair and just writing. Yes, I have carpel tunnel and my hands do go numb, but that is no excuse for not telling my stories.

Ah! there it is. Telling MY stories. In telling the stories I have inside me I am sharing a special part of myself.. That can be very terrifying. What if people don't like what I have to say? What is they are cruel in their judgements? That kind of thinking can stop even the most daring person I know. Well perhaps not, but in my mind this is something that is horrid.

Also is the 'critic' that keeps telling me that it has to be perfect. Perfection is a dream, excellence is the goal. Still that can be an unattainable idea if followed through to it's end. Not quite as bad as perfect, but close.

So what should be done? For me it is taking on challenges to just write. In doing so I learn many things about myself. One: Because I am an oral storyteller, I write in first person. That is the most comfortable arena for me. Two: I write in dialogue. Duh! I write scripts and plays. To take on the challenge of writing something else is a good thing.

To those who convinced me to write the 'novel' in a month, I thank you. Due to your insistence I am learning to stop the 'critic', realize how I write and most importantly that I can write. That is very freeing. Yes, I am still concerned that it will not be good, but hey! it will be written and I can always hope for a good editor after the first draft. Thank goodness for friends.