Internal Heckler vs. Internal Editor (Critic)

I was listening to Writing Excuses. I've come to look forward to listening to Writing Excuses. If you haven't listened to one of their podcasts, try it this week. Brandon Sanderson, Mary Kowal, Howard Tayler and Dan Wells talk about and give advice on everything writing.

This was the session I listened to the day:
 
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Mary pitched this subject to us — it’s a discussion of the difference between that voice that says “this will make your story better” and the voice that says “nothing can save this story because you’re awful and should quit forever.”

You’ve probably heard the staple bit of sage advice that which says, in essence, “silence your internal editor.” Some of us need that internal editor, though, and the distinction between the editor and the heckler is critically important. And some of us need to train up those voices in our heads so that they say something useful.

Mary pitched this subject to us — it’s a discussion of the difference between that voice that says “this will make your story better” and the voice that says “nothing can save this story because you’re awful and should quit forever.”
You’ve probably heard the staple bit of sage advice that which says, in essence, “silence your internal editor.” Some of us need that internal editor, though, and the distinction between the editor and the heckler is critically important. And some of us need to train up those voices in our heads so that they say something useful.
- See more at: http://www.writingexcuses.com/#sthash.eIiqZzT1.dpuf

Mary pitched this subject to us — it’s a discussion of the difference between that voice that says “this will make your story better” and the voice that says “nothing can save this story because you’re awful and should quit forever.”
You’ve probably heard the staple bit of sage advice that which says, in essence, “silence your internal editor.” Some of us need that internal editor, though, and the distinction between the editor and the heckler is critically important. And some of us need to train up those voices in our heads so that they say something useful.
- See more at: http://www.writingexcuses.com/#sthash.eIiqZzT1.dpuf

I loved this idea! I think there is a distinction between the two. Mary talks about how much she appreciates her real live editor and the advise she gives. I think this is true for our inner critic/editor. We are told to tune out our critic but what if she/he is really helping?

A heckler is totally different, trying to discourage us by telling us we are worthless and so is our writing. That is the inner person we need to ignore.

* What do you think about the distinction?


Here is the link to that podcast if you want to give it a listen:

Internal Heckler vs. Internal Editor