Grim Graham asked Mary Robinette Kowal:

What do you do to keep yourself writing on those days when writing doesn't come as easily?

Mary Robinette Kowal It depends on why it isn't coming easily. If it's because of outside influences -- like when my mom had hip surgery -- I give myself permission to not write.

If it's because something is wrong with the story, I look at it and try to figure out why I'm avoiding it. Usually, it involves backing up and making a change.

If it's because I'm procrastinating, which is a symptom of depression with me, then I set a timer and keep going. Not writing only makes me feel worse in that circumstance, but it's hard to get my ass in the chair sometimes. I also try to do a minimum of three sentences before bed. It almost always is longer than that, but it's an easy goal and sometimes we need something that seems simple to accomplish.

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