Writing is not something we do. It is one half of a relationship between a writer and her writing. That is why I tell me clients to treat themselves like their own best friend whenever they write. Don’t say anything or do anything you wouldn’t say or do to this friend. If you wouldn’t criticize this friend, don’t criticize your writing. If you would never raise your voice at your friend, never raise your voice at your writing. Instead, when problems arise, think about how you would work your difficulties out with your friend. If you would tell her, “Let’s sit down and talk,” or, “We’ll find a way through this,” say the same things to yourself when you feel blocked or anxious about your writing. Simply resisting the impulse to strike our at yourself will give you room to begin to find your way out of the writing thicket.
