Write Things: On What's Been Stolen From You

Write Things: On What’s Been Stolen From You

Hello writers,
None of us know exactly how our lives will unfold or where our journeys will take us. As writers, the same can be said for our stories. We start out with one thought, destination, or idea in mind, but then—after several chapters written or several years lived—we often arrive at a moment of insight.

So this is what this is about.

From my perspective, this is what makes writing and life such a beautiful adventure.

If your writing or your life isn't feeling like an amazing journey right now, there's a chance you've been robbed.

The Shift

The Inner Critic is constantly trying to prevent us from writing the story—and living the life—we’re here to live. It does this by sabotaging our inner compass, convincing us to abandon our “true north” for a new set of coordinates: its coordinates.

It tells us one story. And if we believe it, we’ll never be able to enjoy the journey toward our dreams. We might accomplish and achieve, but the path will be riddled with anxiety, self-doubt, and self-criticism.

Or, we’ll abandon our dream completely. We may then live relatively free of the Inner Critic’s voice—but at the cost of never pursuing what we really want.

One thing is certain: we won’t move toward our dreams with appreciation, excitement, or joy.

And the story it tells is this:
You must earn self-trust.

It’s the Inner Critic’s greatest trick.

If you're a perfectionist, your idea of a job well done is conditional on doing it perfectly—above reproach, better than anyone else. If you fail to meet this standard, you see yourself as a failure, a joke, unworthy of respect or love.

If you're a people-pleaser, you only trust you're doing well if everyone else agrees and tells you so. You know this is true because if even one person is apathetic or critical, their voice is all you can hear. You can’t feel peace as long as someone disapproves.

What these two groups have in common is this:
Your idea of success lives outside of your control.

It’s dependent on an external standard or opinion—real or imagined. And for as long as you believe you can only trust yourself, be proud of yourself, or feel grateful for your gifts if these external standards are met, then your joy, direction, and sense of freedom will never belong to you.

And if you're not in control, how can you trust yourself?

Live your calling. Write your story.

When the standard shifts from what others think to what you desire, the entire game changes.

All you have to do is make a new choice.
And the only time you can make this choice is right Now.

Your Next Four Minutes

Prompt: “What about what I want?”

This is one of my favourite lines from Pedro Pascal’s character, Oberyn Martell, in Game of Thrones. In this moment, he tells Tyrion Lannister that he’s come to the capital not for politics or power—but for justice, to confront the ruling family responsible for murdering his sister and her children.

So—what do you want?
What would you face impossible odds to achieve or protect?
What adventure do you want to live, or story do you want to tell?

New to quick-writing?
It’s simple:
Find a space where you can focus. Turn off your phone. Close the door. Grab something to write with—pen and paper or a keyboard.

Set a timer for four minutes and write continuously on the prompt above. If you get stuck, write the prompt again until something shifts. You might free-write your thoughts, explore your self-talk, or even start a scene.

You can turn it into a story, use it to clarify your next step, or keep going for another four minutes. It’s up to you.

Either way, you’ll have written for four minutes—
and that’s what writers do.

They write.

Thank you to everyone who’s shared this newsletter with a fellow writer or friend—it means the world to me.

Wishing you and your stories all the best,
Trevor Martens
Founder, I Help You Write Things

P.S. I’ve got three seats available for writers who want to work directly with me this summer. The group meets Wednesday afternoons in August. If you’re looking to get your writing and mindset tuned up for fall, I’d love to work with you.
Grab your seat here.