: Re: Re-reading and making changes to current work that makes everything worse? I constantly re-read my work before writing again. It helps me get in the proper mind set. But my biggest problem is

@Sent2472441

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You're going to have to change your setup.

Either:

1. Stop re-reading your work before you write more. This will feel frustrating to you but it may be a rule you have to give yourself so you can move forward. It's hard to write new things but easy to revise what you've already written. It also can lead to berating yourself for writing the "wrong" thing in the first place which can take you to the dark place of not feeling worthy enough to write more. Don't give in to doubt. Cut that sucker off at the knees.

2. Review your work if you need to, but in a format where you can't revise it. There's nothing wrong with reminding yourself of the last chapter or scene you wrote before you get started on a new one. And if you're in the middle of one, you have to re-read what you have. Don't do this on your computer. When you're done for the day, print out what you've written and leave it unread on your desk. When you go back to your writing (whether it's the next day or next week), use the printout to remind you what you last did. Make sure you accidentally forget to leave writing implements nearby.

Once you get to a place where one of these things works, you can and should set aside time for editing. Going back and revising things is clearly important to you, and it's a good thing to do. Your problem isn't that you revise, it's that you use it to avoid writing something new.

Allow yourself the pleasure of editing your work. Just carve out separate time for it so it doesn't interfere with actual writing.

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