Can’t vs Don’t Want To
A lot of writing tips say that you should “force yourself to write, even when you think you can’t.”
I personally have always interpreted this to mean that I should write even when I don’t feel like it, but recently that I started thinking about the difference between “can’t” and “I don’t wanna.”
And I’ve come to realize that this difference is an important one.
When I can’t write, something is wrong. I could be mentally or emotionally off that day, I could have homework that is stressing me to the point that I can’t focus on the story, etc, etc.
In these sorts of situations, I am nearly incapable of writing. I always could, of course, but it would probably be bad writing. I would end up more frustrated than I was when I started, and that’s not something I want out of my writing. These are the days when I can’t write, so I don’t.
But then there are other days when I still don’t write, but nothing is wrong. I’m having a better day mentally/emotionally, I’m on top of homework, etc. These are days when I usually get sucked into the void of YouTube, or I play games on my phone for hours, or I watch TV. On these days, I never get around to writing because what I’m doing in that moment is easier than diving into plot and characters again.
And those are the days that I end up regretting the most. Because those videos are always going to be there, those games aren’t going anywhere. The writing that I could have gotten done? That stuff is less permanent.
I guess the bottom line here is this:
Recognize the differences between the days that you can’t write and the days where you just don’t want to, and then act accordingly.
If you’re having a day where you can’t write? Take a break. It’s okay to have those days. You’re still a writer, you’re just not at your A-game today. That’s all right. You’ll get back to it.
But if you’re just putting it off because you don’t want to? Stop scrolling through Tumblr and go write, silly!
I am always thinking about this topic as well because I see so much of it on Tumblr. I totally agree with this. Honest confession:
I never ever write when I don’t want to.
And not trying to brag, but I write more than most writers I know. You might think, “well good for you, I guess you’re just more motivated/writing-obsessed than some of us who have to make ourselves,” but in all honesty, I don’t think it’s that. I think that when you make yourself do art, even when you don’t feel up to it, you turn it into an icky life chore, like laundry. Fuck that, writing is not laundry, you don’t have to do it if you don’t feel like it. Instead of feeling bad about yourself for not writing yesterday when you could have just write today! No one is keeping track! Who cares! It’s not about how much you write or how often, it’s about how much you like doing it when you’re doing it.
You’re writing will probably be better, more genuine, more inspired, if you stop forcing it. That might mean you have a hiatus for a while. Plus, ask yourself why you don’t feel like writing? Is it just life, or is it something wrong with your story? Listen to that voice! If you are feeling bogged down by the story, the reader might feel bogged down by it too. If you’re always forcing yourself to write when you’re not feeling it, you might end up missing those cues that tell you ‘something’s wrong with my story’.
This is just my advice, and this is just what works for me, but I don’t usually see my side of this advice spectrum represented so I thought I’d add.
