WRITER'S BLOCK: ALL WRITING IS PRECIOUS

Before I understood that ALL writing is precious, I would throw out what I didn't like.  I didn't understand then that what I was really doing was discarding parts of me.  Or maybe I really wanted to throw out those parts, hoping it would mean that they no longer existed.

I'm not perfect.  And never will be.  And that is what makes me a whole human being.  There's always something of value in what we consider "bad" writing.  Sometimes it's as simple as seeing that after "bad" writing comes "good" writing.  "good" according to us, the writer.

Recently on You Tube there was a clip of a woman singing on the British version of the American TV show, American Idol.  Because of how she presented herself as well as how she dressed, her voice surprised not only the audience, but the judges as well.  And renegade Simon Cowell of American Idol was one of the judges.   The woman had no idea that her voice was as outstanding as others thought.  So, after all, who does decide what's "good."  Therefore, again, why not keep it all?  Perhaps the "bad" writing is not as "bad" as you think.  And, the "good" writing is not as "good" as you think.  But, it is true that all the writing is you, and is therefore entitled to exist.

One further point.  Looking back on old "bad" writing years later, I have often been surprised to discover gems.  Had the writing improved, or had I developed a new perspective?  The point is that by saving ALL writing you allow yourself the opportunity to harvest when the time is right.