If you remember my post about not being able to write after my father died, you’ll know that I struggled to get back to writing for almost a decade. The road back wasn’t easy. I did it in baby steps but when I was writing every day again, boy did it feel good.
There are lots of things that stop us from writing. Like me, it could be the death of a loved one. Sometimes it’s when you have a significant change in your life, like moving or breaking up with someone. For some, it’s simply they’re not feeling that great physically.
While not everyone’s going to have full blown writer’s block, some days are tough for every single writer out there. A couple of years ago I gave myself the grueling schedule of writing a book a month. Some days my fingers flew over the keyboard while other days I had to push myself. A few days I even questioned my sanity.
If you’ve decided to join in the summer writing challenge and get your book started or finished, enter this knowing some days are going to be an uphill battle. However, tomorrow’s another day. If you don’t feel like writing one day, don’t. Never push yourself so hard that you end up hating to do the thing you thought you’d love to do one day…write a book.
I’d like this to be a supportive community for you so post comments and let everyone know how you’re doing, what you’re struggling with, and yes, even when you reach a milestone.
I mentioned during last week’s Ramblings that I’d tell you about my own project. It’s a half written manuscript that’s been sitting on my computer for so long I can’t remember how many years ago I started working on it. It’s a mystery and it’s dark. I think it might be one of the reasons I quit because I just wasn’t in the mood to write something that dark. There’s my first tip. Sometimes it’s not you, the writer who’s the problem, it’s the story or the story’s theme. Try switching to something else and see what happens.
Now I feel I want to tackle this story and finish where I left off. By September 1st I hope to have my first draft completed. I’ll be letting you know how things are going, problems I run into, and share with you the ups and downs of being an author.
Good luck to everyone who’s taking part in this challenge…let the writing begin!
Maybe Smith way is to start writing, see if it ‘happens’, but don’t be too hard on yourself about the result?
I have struggled to write since I graduated college in 2014. It seems like without being around other students/writers and without the structure of college, my writing has fallen apart. I’m not sure if it’s because I lack discipline or if I just peaked in college and I’ve got nothing else to say. I also struggle with depression and anxiety, so that doesn’t help.
Don’t give up on your writing. Is there a local writer’s group you can join? Some writers are more productive with other people around them for support. Depression and anxiety can be a factor. I think that was part of my problem after my dad passed away. I didn’t see it at the time but looking back I now I think it was one of the causes of my writer’s block. Have you tried writing in a journal? One, it gets you writing, and two, you can express your feelings through words both of which might jumpstart the writing process again.
I did try a local writers group. I chose to leave because it wasn’t an open mined atmosphere. I do try to journal as often as I can, but perhaps i should be more diligent in doing so. Writing is Wilmington l writing after all, so journaling every day could spawn new ideas. ???? I’m sorry for your loss, by the way. ☹