Checking the freshness date on your ideas
Photo by: brancomaster
So many times as writers we are told to get the inner censor or critic out of the way and just write.
But there is a time and a place for the big lug. Yesterday in the middle of a longish post mine came up and tapped me on the shoulder.
IC: Um, you sure you want your name associated with that?
Me: Do you think the writing stinks?
IS: No, No. The writings not bad. Could be better of course, but not bad.
Me: What is it then?
IC: It’s the topic.
Me: What about it? This is one of those things that’s been annoying me for a long time. I’ve thought a lot about going on a rant about this, instead I’m trying to take a rational approach and see both sides of the story. So what’s the problem?
IC: You’re pandering.
Me: Huh? What? No way! I…
At this point I reread what I had so far, and realized my inner censor was right. A thousand other articles had been written about this subject. I had what I thought was a unique take on it. But I saw no value in it.
And worst of all, as I read it I realized how little I cared about the actual topic anymore. It had just been one of those ideas that I had been passionate about at one point, but I had left laying around for too long. When I picked it up I forgot to check the freshness date on it. It was no good to anyone anymore.
So with a sigh of resignation I right clicked and deleted.
Then I thanked my IC, then told him to go away so I could come up with another post to write.
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Nice post.
I know that feeling all too well. My biggest problem is that after I do that, I most often don’t write anything at all. Maybe I need to learn how to better tell my “IC” to go away.
I know the feeling.
But two things saved me from that this time.
The first was wanting to tell the story. I think it’s an important lesson.
Second, I’ve started keeping lists of topic ideas with notes.
I carry around index cards for just this purpose. One index card one topic with notes.
When I get home it goes into MacJournal and is sitting there ready for me when I start my writing session.
In fact I finished another post last night that still needs copy-edited. And I’m about 3/4 done with another. Never would have happened without my list.