While the tricks I use to get through my own personal writer’s block work for me most of the time, there are those moments when I fall prey to the machinations of my own demon. I highly doubt that only writers deal with their demons. Being criticized, whether by self or others is probably more common then I realize. And it is particularly daunting when I let it get to me. At those times, I personify that fear into what I have dubbed my Inner Critic. Regardless of his origins, and yes it is a ‘he’ for some reason, I do know my critic is really me. But for my own purposes it helps if I make him his own entity. And he is nasty one.    

     What has helped me get perspective and take care of the task at hand, which is writing, has been to take the opposite tact of my inner critic, who takes himself very seriously. I don’t take myself seriously.  If my critic hurls insults, I shrug it off as merely opinion. If my internal demon is rude and obnoxious, I laugh at him and then tune him out. If my critic doesn’t like what I have written, I shrug because I know my writing isn’t for everyone.  And when it comes right down to it, he is not my editor. So my advice is whether the critic is external or internal makes no difference. Ultimately, you have all the control.