What will people think?

We can tie ourselves in knots worrying about what other people will think of what we write, but that only keeps us from doing the writing we wish to do.

And the truth is: no one else is watching or reading YET. We are free to write what we want, as awkwardly or badly as we want, RIGHT NOW. First drafts are meant to be private and clumsy. They are raw ideas pouring onto the page. And they are yours alone.

There is lots of time to polish and perfect (and rewrite and rewrite). And you can worry about what everyone else thinks later. Even if the issue you are struggling with is a person who does not want you to write this story, you do not have to have that all figured out at the beginning. You are free to start.

So, for now, write as if no one is watching. The story you write may surprise you.

Alison Wearing