Detach to Connect

Often with my student writers I find an unhealthy attachment to their writing. They become so attached to what they've written that they're unwilling to change it, even when they receive overwhelming feedback to do so. Several factors drive this tendency. Resistance to change can come from fear of failing. Novice writers may want to hang on to what they've written because they fear the void they'll face if they hit the delete button. "At least," they reason, "I have something down on paper. I think I'll just hang on to it." Resistance to changing or editing writing can also come from becoming too fond of certain expressions or turns of phrase to the point that writers don't want to let go of them even though it's clear they detract from rather than enhance the writing. And sometimes resistance can just come from a false sense of already possessing skills they don't possess, thinking they are better writers than they actually are. Whatever the cause, becoming too attached to your writing can be dangerous. It's ironic that, in order to write well, you must develop a healthy detachment from your writing. It's okay to be fond of your writing, but not to the point of dismissing feedback that will help you make your writing better . Detaching from your writing to the point that you can be open not only to feedback from others but also to your own internal editor that tells you something isn't working well is critical to honing your skills as a writer. What you strive for is to connect deeply with readers. Detaching from your writing will help you make that valuable connection.