How to Write Even When You Don't Feel Like It
Writing is hard. Sometimes you just don't want to do it. You stare at your project and think, "Ah man. I really don't feel like doing that right now. Or anytime soon, honestly."
I get it. I really do. And, because I get it, I can say this:
Stop your whining!! Why are you not writing right now? What's wrong with you?! You've been putting off that story of yours for far too long. So get off the internet and start writing!
Easier said than done, you say. Or is it?
Here are 7 ways to get your writer on even when you really, really don't feel like it:
1. Identify the problem. So what is it that's bothering you? Maybe you're scared of writing complete junk. Maybe you think you don't have enough time. Maybe you don't feel inspired. Maybe your favorite kind of tea is no longer available. Find out what it is that's making it difficult to write. Can't place your finger on it? That's okay. Why? Because...
Quote from Make Good Art by Neil Gaiman2. Recognize that this problem doesn't matter. But Hannah, you say, yes, it does matter. That's why it's called a problem. Pffft. That's completely mental. The problem is not the problem. The problem is your attitude about the problem. There is absolutely nothing standing in your way that you cannot overcome. Don't believe me? I have Lyme disease, meaning my hands hurt all of the time, especially when I'm writing. And yet, I'm able to get one to two blog posts out each week, write a bit of my novel almost every day, while also working part time and being a part time college student. Now look me (or, you know, my profile picture) in the eye and tell me about how you can't write through your problem....Yeah. That's what I thought. You feel dumb, don't you? And not only because you just talked to a picture on your computer screen.
3. Remove your so-called obstacles. Schedule a time you want to write. Think of all of the things that are going to get in your way during this time. Now, go about and systematically eliminate these obstacles. Unless they're people...that's murder, one of the worst crimes, so, yeah. Illegal. Don't do it. Social media distracting you? Don't open up those tabs in your internet. Afraid that you won't be able to write anything good? That's okay. No pressure. If you don't like what you write, you can always learn from it and then delete it. Your kids won't give you any peace? Lock them in a closet. Wait, no, that's probably considered child abuse. Lock yourself in a closet. Okay, so maybe your problem isn't so much lack of time, but a lack of motivation or inspiration. In which case:
4. Remember that you don't need inspiration or motivation to write. Ever. I think a lot of writers sit down at their computers, can't immediately think of some beautiful paragraph to write, and decide that the stars are not in position for this task.
Seriously? No. This is unacceptable. You sit down and write even if you don't feel like it...even if you have no ideas whatsoever. If you're waiting for inspiration to hit, your writing project will take forever. So grit your teeth, force yourself to write even when you have absolutely no desire to do so. Fun? No. But writing isn't always unicorns and sparkles. Anyone who says differently is selling something.
5. Don't be afraid of writing garbage. Even if you start writing and ever single word that you put down is something that you'll have to delete later, keep going. You're just finding all of the ways that your book should not be written. Just this morning I had to go back and delete two pages that I wrote the night before. I spent an hour on those two pages and there was no way to salvage them. I knew they would need to be deleted even as I was writing them, but I kept going. Why? Because I knew that if I threw my hands up in disgust and stopped writing last night, I would end up dreading picking it up again tonight. So I thought, "Well, get all the garbage out tonight so maybe you'll have a chance at writing something good tomorrow." Now I'm looking forward to writing again tonight because I know what I did wrong and I would like a shot at fixing it. So yes, maybe you're going to write garbage today. But that means nothing in the grand scheme of things. Tomorrow you might write something wonderful. That's the beauty of writing.
6. Recognize your worth as a writer. You are the only person in this universe, past, present, or future, who is capable of writing this story. There are unique thoughts, feelings, memories, writing styles, and ideas all converging at a single point: You. The task of writing this story was appointed to you, and if you do not find a way, no one will. That is a very, very big deal. So why are you putting it off? Because you think you won't get it right? Because you're afraid? Because you simply don't feel like it? Please. You are the only one who can do this. You are unique. You have a talent. Use it.
7. Know that you will be glad that you wrote. It is normal to not want to write. Don't feel bad about it. Just remember: You like writing. You may not feel like it right now, but you really do. Once you actually sit down and start writing, you're going to be glad for it. The only way you won't be glad about it is if you get down on yourself for writing garbage. And, as we already discussed, garbage is fine.
And that's all I have to say on the subject. To sum up: If you're struggling with not wanting to work on your writing, remember these three things: 1) The longer you stay way from writing, the harder it will be to get back into it and the worse you will feel about yourself. 2) You are actually going to be happy to get back into writing. 3) The garbage will do.
Have any tips or tricks you'd like to share? Please leave them below! And don't forget to tell me about you current writing troubles and your plan to fix them. I know you can do it.
Related articles:
What To Do When Your Story Bogs Down
Controlling Your Plot Bunnies: How to Write A Novel From Start to Finish Without Getting Distracted10 Way to Make Your Writing Time More ProductiveSaveSaveSaveSave
Enjoy this post? Take a look around. If you like what you see, please don't forget to subscribe by email for a new post every week!SaveSave
SaveSave
I get it. I really do. And, because I get it, I can say this:
Stop your whining!! Why are you not writing right now? What's wrong with you?! You've been putting off that story of yours for far too long. So get off the internet and start writing!
Easier said than done, you say. Or is it?
Here are 7 ways to get your writer on even when you really, really don't feel like it:
1. Identify the problem. So what is it that's bothering you? Maybe you're scared of writing complete junk. Maybe you think you don't have enough time. Maybe you don't feel inspired. Maybe your favorite kind of tea is no longer available. Find out what it is that's making it difficult to write. Can't place your finger on it? That's okay. Why? Because...
Quote from Make Good Art by Neil Gaiman2. Recognize that this problem doesn't matter. But Hannah, you say, yes, it does matter. That's why it's called a problem. Pffft. That's completely mental. The problem is not the problem. The problem is your attitude about the problem. There is absolutely nothing standing in your way that you cannot overcome. Don't believe me? I have Lyme disease, meaning my hands hurt all of the time, especially when I'm writing. And yet, I'm able to get one to two blog posts out each week, write a bit of my novel almost every day, while also working part time and being a part time college student. Now look me (or, you know, my profile picture) in the eye and tell me about how you can't write through your problem....Yeah. That's what I thought. You feel dumb, don't you? And not only because you just talked to a picture on your computer screen. 3. Remove your so-called obstacles. Schedule a time you want to write. Think of all of the things that are going to get in your way during this time. Now, go about and systematically eliminate these obstacles. Unless they're people...that's murder, one of the worst crimes, so, yeah. Illegal. Don't do it. Social media distracting you? Don't open up those tabs in your internet. Afraid that you won't be able to write anything good? That's okay. No pressure. If you don't like what you write, you can always learn from it and then delete it. Your kids won't give you any peace? Lock them in a closet. Wait, no, that's probably considered child abuse. Lock yourself in a closet. Okay, so maybe your problem isn't so much lack of time, but a lack of motivation or inspiration. In which case:
4. Remember that you don't need inspiration or motivation to write. Ever. I think a lot of writers sit down at their computers, can't immediately think of some beautiful paragraph to write, and decide that the stars are not in position for this task.
Seriously? No. This is unacceptable. You sit down and write even if you don't feel like it...even if you have no ideas whatsoever. If you're waiting for inspiration to hit, your writing project will take forever. So grit your teeth, force yourself to write even when you have absolutely no desire to do so. Fun? No. But writing isn't always unicorns and sparkles. Anyone who says differently is selling something. 5. Don't be afraid of writing garbage. Even if you start writing and ever single word that you put down is something that you'll have to delete later, keep going. You're just finding all of the ways that your book should not be written. Just this morning I had to go back and delete two pages that I wrote the night before. I spent an hour on those two pages and there was no way to salvage them. I knew they would need to be deleted even as I was writing them, but I kept going. Why? Because I knew that if I threw my hands up in disgust and stopped writing last night, I would end up dreading picking it up again tonight. So I thought, "Well, get all the garbage out tonight so maybe you'll have a chance at writing something good tomorrow." Now I'm looking forward to writing again tonight because I know what I did wrong and I would like a shot at fixing it. So yes, maybe you're going to write garbage today. But that means nothing in the grand scheme of things. Tomorrow you might write something wonderful. That's the beauty of writing.
6. Recognize your worth as a writer. You are the only person in this universe, past, present, or future, who is capable of writing this story. There are unique thoughts, feelings, memories, writing styles, and ideas all converging at a single point: You. The task of writing this story was appointed to you, and if you do not find a way, no one will. That is a very, very big deal. So why are you putting it off? Because you think you won't get it right? Because you're afraid? Because you simply don't feel like it? Please. You are the only one who can do this. You are unique. You have a talent. Use it.
7. Know that you will be glad that you wrote. It is normal to not want to write. Don't feel bad about it. Just remember: You like writing. You may not feel like it right now, but you really do. Once you actually sit down and start writing, you're going to be glad for it. The only way you won't be glad about it is if you get down on yourself for writing garbage. And, as we already discussed, garbage is fine.
And that's all I have to say on the subject. To sum up: If you're struggling with not wanting to work on your writing, remember these three things: 1) The longer you stay way from writing, the harder it will be to get back into it and the worse you will feel about yourself. 2) You are actually going to be happy to get back into writing. 3) The garbage will do.
Have any tips or tricks you'd like to share? Please leave them below! And don't forget to tell me about you current writing troubles and your plan to fix them. I know you can do it.
Related articles:
What To Do When Your Story Bogs Down
Controlling Your Plot Bunnies: How to Write A Novel From Start to Finish Without Getting Distracted10 Way to Make Your Writing Time More ProductiveSaveSaveSaveSave
Enjoy this post? Take a look around. If you like what you see, please don't forget to subscribe by email for a new post every week!SaveSave
SaveSave
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