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Daily Dose #89

I’m not a very good writer, but I’m an excellent rewriter.

James Michener

I’ve been working on a rewrite

That’s right

I want to change the ending…

Song lyrics to the (probably) unknown-to-you, obscure song “Rewrite” by Paul Simon. Google it.
(Or don’t… I’m not here to tell you what to do. And even if I was here to tell you what to do, you would be wise not to follow other people’s advice willy-nilly. It’s not sensible. Especially if I said something like… “Here, drink this Kool-aid.” …I think we all know how that turns out.)

Where was I going with this?

That’s right! A rewrite.

Someone recently told me I was an ‘excellent’ writer. (you know who you are) You cannot know how taken aback I was by this comment.

Me? you talkin tah me?

That’s what I was thinking and that’s what I wanted to reply, BUT I learned at an early age how to receive a compliment.

*side note* receiving a compliment is a skill everyone should master.

The way I see it is this… IF someone takes time out of their day to offer me a kind word, I listen. Even if I don’t necessarily agree with what they have to say.
NO wait… especially if I don’t agree with what they have to say.

Maybe, just maybe, it’s Life’s way of nudging me out of an outdated mindset! I’m all about changing an outdated mindset. And when it comes to my thoughts on writing I’ll be honest…

I’m terrified of writing.

The entire process scares the mess out of me.

So when this particular compliment came my way it got my wheels a turning… (uh oh)

And of course whenever the wheels turn, inevitably a conversation with ME, MYSELF and I will certainly follow:

**If I were you I would skip this entire section**

(You’ve been warned.)

ME: Hold the press! ME? An excellent writer? Has the world turned upside down?

MYSELF: Well, yes… the world has indeed turned upside down in many more ways than one.

I: Please no… not another conversation with yourself.

ME: I’m a horrible writer

MYSELF: Indeed, you speak truth! But by gods, you are an excellent rewriter.

I: Who? tell me who in the world talks like this? Is there an escape hatch anywhere?

ME: I am serious, this is serious, you can’t be serious! I don’t even consider myself a writer. I just put words down on paper, then I work with them for a bit, clean them up, and polish them–

MYSELF: Hey Beck– News flash! That’s what a writer does. Duh…
(Did you see what I did there? Hey Beck! that’s just so fun to say. Hey Beck! Try it… or don’t **See previous parentheses**)

I: This is hell… I’m living in an eternal hell…

My sincere, humble apologies

At this point, I think I owe you an apology. You really didn’t need to be exposed to all that and I’m sorry.

The Moral of the Story

I said ALL that to say this.

If you are feeling insecure about your writing. Don’t. I think it’s safe to say that we are all terrible writers. So, don’t even bother to endeavor to become a great writer. Instead go ahead, spew the crap out on the paper, and then…

Endeavor to become an EXCELLENT rewriter!