The inner editor

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In writing, and to a certain extent in speaking, I often experience interference by what I call "the inner editor". This is a nagging little voice which scrutinizes and criticizes everything I write or say. This "editor" takes everything very literally and over-analytically and is always ready to point out inconsistencies and absurdities in metaphors and in many figures of speech (even "figure of speech" makes the "editor" a bit nervous). In my younger years I could more or less ignore this creepy little voice, but now it seems to have taken control completely. This severely restricts me in what I put on paper, and, worse, takes all the joy from writing. I used to take great pleasure in using proverbs in letters and essays, for instance, but now these have me fretting all day about how much sense they really make when taken literally (very little usually). Does everyone else have this? Is it typical for Aspies? And what can be done about it? It's driving me nuts (here the "editor" had to be overruled!). Thanks!

I have a similar "inner editor". However, I tend to be the opposite regarding figures of speech and metaphors and over-use them. This sometimes gets me into trouble especially with other Aspies who sometimes take my comments literally. A bad habit I do have is (both verbally and in writing) repeating myself using different language in case the reader/listener hasn't grasped what I'm communicating. My wife says this can come across as patronizing but it isn't intended that way. My "inner editor" is always standing on guard in case I say something that may offend people. It often steps in, especially with black humour and says "Halt!" like a censor. Similarly regarding emotionally charged subjects which I normally avoid anyway because whatever I communicate either comes out wrong or inadvertently offends.

Strangely, my love of metaphors and figures of speed doesn't mean I'm immune to taking things literally myself. Spelling mistakes often throw me. For example a post in the computer forum where someone used the word "hear" instead of "here" just didn't "twig" and left me confused.

Ah, the joys of being an Aspie.

My inner editor makes me sit and edit my posts until they're spelled and punctuated correctly.

I notice too much stuff. I can't help but correct people. Nobody likes the correction or even agrees with it when I am right.

For example, somebody might type..

"he's brb"

I could tell that person that what he just typed doesn't make sense. It literally expands to: he is be right back.

Sure, we all understood what it is meant to mean, but it still drives me crazy, and even crazier when they DISAGREE with the literal interpretation.

I am just too overly analytical on some things. That may be the attention to detail stereotype for autistic individuals.

I've noted at least once on this forum what most everyone does here. They do...

"I'm AS"

Which literally means: I am Asperger's Syndrome.

Wow, that person is so autistic that they are the entire disorder itself! We all know what it means of course. I just wish people would say things literally and use a lot less of that above examples. ~_~

There are other examples of such things I could use that just drive me insane. I'd rather my "inner whatever" would just shut the hell up so I can relax a bit, because nobody seems to have any kind of respect or give-a-damn for such kind of detail anyway.

I have it. As someone who majored in English, I hate to put anything in writing which is grammatically non standard. I often edit my posts after I send them if I catch something in error or unclear. It does not bother me, but it is more time consuming. If I am in a hurry I will loosen my standards and post anyway, and that does bother me a bit.