When you know what you want to say but you’re struggling to write it, chances are you’re making one of two common mistakes. And you could be guilty of both.

You’re either looking for words that aren’t natural or trying to use them in a voice that isn’t yours.

Imagine giving a speech in a phony voice with vocabulary you never use. That’s a stunt. That is acting.

But that’s basically what a lot of writers do–they start acting on the page.

They struggle to accept that the choices that come naturally and easily could be best. They think their vocabulary is too plain. They think their voice is too soft, too direct, or too vulgar.

So, they go to extremes to create a writing persona that says things they think will sound good using words they think will sound good.

Writers commonly get in front of the page and try to be more or less funny, raw, quirky or intelligent than they really are.

Instead of the work coming out better, it often comes across dull, awkward, or complicated. Sometimes, it’s plain stupid.

Trying to pull these stunts takes more time, it’s more difficult, and it still usually fails.

You’re struggling to write what’s on you’re mind because you’re trying to be un-you.

So why do writers put themselves through that?

It’s a form of self-doubt. And it isn’t surprising that it’s rampant given how filtered and phony our society now is.

In this environment, if you’re aren’t careful you could easily be led to believe that being un-you is what the crowd finds most attractive.

Unless you’re an extremely fucked up individual, I doubt that’s true. And even if you are fucked up, it’s probably still not true.

Contrary to popular tropes, there are few outcasts. There is audience for all of us. No matter how far someone’s thoughts are from yours, there’s a tribe for them. It’s just a matter of finding it.

Granted, for some it may require a harder and broader search than for others, but still there is an tribe for you.

As, creators we’re at our finest when our work is authentic. So unlearn the habit of being un-you. And you’ll find it’s easier to channel what’s in your mind onto the page.

See Also: Want to Write Better? Stop Giving A Fuck

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