“I slacked off, I didn’t create a thing, next time I’m hoping I don’t.” Simple message that should be put out there way more often.

Thanks for sharing that, and no apologies needed — just sharing that has value.

As for yourr dilemma I read this tip in the book Movies in the Mind and it seems to work for me — hope it helps:

First, get out a yellow legal pad (or some other notebook) and write “The Critick’s Comments” in bold across the top of the page. Now, when you are writing and your inner critic says “that sucks” or “that’s the worst piece of cliche-ridden crap I’ve ever seen” put a little footnote-like mark next to the passage, then go over to your legal pad and write down your critic’s comments next to a matching footnote number. Then tell your inncer critic “Duly noted, now shut the *&^%$! up,” AND KEEP WRITING.

When you’ve finished the piece, go back, look at the notes, and throw it back at your critic: “All right wise-ass, how do you propose to fix it?” Don’t expect a good answer, but the challenge will shut up your critic long enough for you to fix it.

This seems to work well for me because it lets your critic do a critic’s job without stopping your writing. And, once acknowledge, the critic seems to pipe-off a whole lot less.

Again, hope it helps.

As much as I revere Steve’s books on writing, I’m working on my own version, something about peacefully courting the muse.

I think there’s another school, one that doesn’t involve grabbing our ankles for cricket-bat wielders; one which involves more love and less guilt.

My wife is kinder to me, gentler with me, more supportive and positive than the rest of the world combined. If softness doesn’t motivate, she should be my last go-to person, right? And yet, if I believed for an instant she needed me to waltz naked through fire, I’d already be picking out the music.

Love is a better motivator than guilt. While we’re moving toward pleasure, away from pain, which direction are we facing, anyway?