The Civil War All Writers Have to Fight
May 27, 2025 9:45 pm
This is going to sound weird, but bear with me.
Did you know that there are actually two writers trapped in your body?
I know...
Wild.
But it's true.
Inside your head, there's a constant boxing match happening between:
Writer #1:
The Creator
• Flows with ideas
• Lives in the moment
• Doesn't care what anyone thinks
• Makes intuitive leaps
• Vibes 24/7
Writer #2:
The Editor
• Analyzes everything
• Obsesses over word choice
• Constantly thinks about the reader
• Spots logical gaps
• Judges
Here's the problem:
Most struggling writers let these two versions of themselves interrupt each other all the time.
It's like trying to drive with a passenger who's constantly yanking the steering wheel.
The Creator writes two sentences, then The Editor jumps in:
"That's trash. Delete that sh*t."
The Editor structures an article, then The Creator whines:
"But this feels so boring, gimee the steeing wheel!"
Does this ring any of your jingle bells?
But here's the thing:
The secret to brilliant writing isn't having one voice dominate the other.
It's creating a clear boundary between when each gets to speak.
Try this the next time you sit down to write:
- Set a timer for 25 minutes and let The Creator cook. No editing, no judgment, no second-guessing. Just flow.
- Take a 10-minute break (critical step most people skip)
- Set another timer for 25 minutes where only The Editor gets to work. No new ideas, just refinement.
This isn't just some productivity hack.
It's paying homage to the dual nature of your creative mind.
When you separate these two voices instead of letting them constantly interrupt each other, something magical happens:
- You'll write more.
- You'll write better.
- And most importantly, you'll actually enjoy the process again.
Try it out and let me know how it goes.
Speak soon,
Godfrey
PS. In Medium Mastery, I dive deeper into how to leverage these two mindsets to create content that's both creatively fulfilling and strategically effective.