10 Reasons I Can’t Bring Myself to Hit “Publish”

Inside the mind of a neurotic writer

It starts with an idea. “Oooh, this is interesting! I want to write that!” So I write the first draft. Then there’s crying. But I pull myself together and sit down to revise the draft. More crying.

I try again, cry again, and realize it’s time for the crucial decision: To hit “Publish” or not? After putting time and effort into a piece of writing, why would I leave it to rot in my hard drive? Why would I waste all that work?

Trust me, I always have a good reason.

1. The title is terrible.

In the era of digital publishing, titles are more important than ever. How do I convey the substance and nuance of my piece in a one liner that is clever, yet leaves the reader wanting more? HOW?

2. It’s not timely anymore. I took too long.

God damn my lack of impulsiveness! I just had to research the topic. I just had to rewrite it. I just had to sleep on it. Now no one is talking about that picture of a black hole and they won’t read my treatise on how it’s a cosmological metaphor for the implosion of Western society!

I am a delicate flower with an ego made of glass.