Lots of different ways depending on the problem. If I lack direction, I try to step back and remember what my point is. If it lacks personality, I relate a personal anecdote. If I'm really stuck and still can't find the spark, I'll ask a fellow writer friend who is familiar with my writing and she'll usually cut to the heart of it pretty quickly.
Sometimes, I just need to take a break. I'll go for a walk, or spend my usual writing time playing a video game, or get some dishes done while not-thinking.
Sometimes these things just have to percolate. To run with the coffee metaphor, if you're pouring hot water through used-up grounds, the result is gonna be weak at best.
A piece of advice I often give fellow writer friends in a similar situation to you is to take a day where you're not allowed to write at all. You can think about writing, or yearn to write, or make a quick note of what the problem might be if that inspiration comes to you, but you're not allowed to actually Write.
I hope something I've said helps, and that your mojo returns soon!
The percolate thing really hits home. A lot of times, I'll be washing dishes or going for a walk and I suddenly *see* exactly what's missing. Perhaps a different direction or a perspective I missed. Then I go back and finish. I guess right now I'm just dumping sand in the box so I can build castles later. Thanks, Kenzie -- that was helpful. Helps to be reminded of what we already knew, but forgot out of frustration. :)
I take a nature break -- trail run, walk, ride my horse, go pull some weeds, whatever. Your brain needs that and the science backs me up. Do something that requires your full attention. Your writing brain will be spinning away without any input from you. Then you go back to your work with an entirely different mindset. Good luck. I hate sloggy writing periods! :-P
I can so relate. Over the past few weeks, I've found myself turning to other activities and starting a new hobby/art form. Like you, I also have to write to stay sane, but it's been feeling good to step away from my routine a bit and "plant some seeds" by doing and learning new things. Good luck! You'll get there. If not, maybe ask Siri! :)
I can relate. I have been working on some fonts and a new site because gotta find something that feels good when I'm done. Haha, no Siri for me, I use Samsung. But have you seen the videos of Siri laughing? lol
Your email interrupted a very intense game of Solitaire, while I was waiting on my fat ass muse to arrive so I could continue the novella which will shock the world with its brilliance, only I'm playing solitaire. Actually, I've never met her in person, so I made up that bit about her butt.
And when I finish this game, I really should open Revit and work on the drawings for the beach house that I've been setting aside for weeks so I could write the novella that I'm putting off. I can multi task like no one I know.
lol, William. On the heels of Kenzie's comment, procrastinating can also be percolating. But it can also be avoiding. Lucky you, though. I don't multi task worth a damn.
idk how helpful this is, but the best way for me to get the words flowing is to sit down and start writing while my toddler is soundly napping. Then, BINGO, as soon as I'm on the best roll of my life, he wakes up and screams and I lose my progress, my train of thought, and occasionally my document if I don't remember to save it before getting him. Works every time. Lol
For real, though, sometimes I just have to step away and read something that's not on a screen (even just for 15-20 minutes). Reading other people's work gets my juices flowing, and though I love blogs and articles and newsletters (hi!), something about physically printed words on a page, preferably a book, helps stimulate my own creativity.
About 95% of my writing is to put a task in terms a machine will understand. The other 5% is spent on emails and comments like this one. The process is similar, even though the result is not. Every morning starts with my wife and I walking a 5k. It takes just under an hour. As a number of other commenters have said, walking gets the mind going and starts the ideas flowing. One of the notable practitioners of this was the late Steve Jobs. People recalling meetings with him say it nearly always involved a walk, not sitting in an office. There is probably even some science behind this, but there is no downside to doing it. Asking Google for advice may carry the illusion of crowd-sourcing, but it's actually just putting yourself at the mercy of "the algorithm" that is designed solely for the purpose of enriching the Google shareholders.
Yup, lots mentioned walking. Good point on google, though. Plus, once you know how to game it a little bit, the results feel even more useless. The only thing google has going for it is that the homepage doesn't look like Yahoo or Bing.
Honestly, I'm having a helluva time trying to write the last few months too. If I struggle I pretty much hit Instagram and make another funny video of my dog lol.
I don't know what my blocker is lately but I'm utterly blocked. But I simply let it happen. Obviously there's a reason that needs to work itself out.
lol Kristi, it's not shitty advice. Sometimes there isn't much to do but wait for the suckage to pass. I didn't know you have funny videos of your dog on IG. I should probably get my butt over there.
For me, I would want to figure out why I am stuck first. Journaling could help me find that problem. For example, for my article, "An Aromantic's Quest to Find a Stable, Loving Relationship," I was stuck for a while. I did journaling, which was, in this case, free-writing about my worries and frustrations.
After ranting to myself for a while, I realized that I was feeling more vulnerable than I expected, and was very unwilling to share my story with the public.
Eventually, through more journaling, I was able to gently encourage myself to finish the article. I was still kind of terrified when I published it, but not only did no one say anything judgmental to me, it turned out to be one of my most popular articles ever! (One friend suggested that it's precisely because it's so vulnerable that readers are drawn to it, haha.)
There was another piece I got super stuck on, for similar reasons. It was a narrative poem, where I imagine an ideal scenario for my crush and I (it's complicated). This also explores the difficulties of having multiple minority identities, of being gay, trans, and aromantic. I felt so reluctant to even finish the draft, because the difference between fantasy and reality made me too sad.
If pulling teeth was bad, imagine trying to push a horse who stands stubbornly rooted to the ground. It's way heavier than you, so there's no hope of you getting it to move by sheer pushing. Instead, you have to find out a way to soothe and motivate the horse to want to run again. (No whips or crops in this analogy, either.)
For this case, I started a new piece first, where I wrote quickly about a much less emotionally threatening topic that I still cared about. Eventually, rather than pushing, I gently encouraged myself to write one line, then another, bit by bit. I told myself it didn't need to be perfect. Before I knew it, I finally finished the draft! The editing was actually way easier, because I could focus on the words, the craft, rather than to get so emotionally paralyzed by the content.
Sorry for the long essay but I hope that gives you some ideas!
Sieran, that makes perfect sense in your case. For sure. God, I don't know how you do it, honestly. I very seldom write personal essays because gah. What you said. With these, they're historical pieces and I just feel like I don't have the tone right. But still, writing about the writing might help and worth a try.
A kind-of Zen answer to your writing rut question:
acceptance, for that which IS, for the moment.
Everything in life is temporary. Writing ruts are likewise; the length of same just might be longer than you wish… Don’t get anxious for being “stuck.” Acceptance brings calmness - or it should.
Also, make a mental note to allow your subconscious to “work it out” while you are sleeping.
Meanwhile jot down ideas as they arise; but do NOT force writing. Forcing, like picking at a scab continuously, is the antithesis of ACCEPTANCE.
That's a very valid point, Linda. I used to do a night journaling exercise. It was real simple. I'd just write down a question before I went to bed. Astounding how often I woke with an answer. Thanks!
Get out of my head Linda. I've been in the exact same predicament for the past two weeks. Draft after draft and just a feeling of dread whenever my mouse hovers over the "publish" button. I was even talking with my partner last night about how I realize that I'm simply in a procrastinate mode, anything I get involved in gets interrupted by another time wasting idea.
Well, that's strangely comforting to hear, Tim. lol. It's a good reminder that we can't be "on" all the time and it's probably normal to have those phases. The moon isn't always full. The tides go in and out. Birds don't sing every waking minute. Why would we expect ourselves to? :)
I approach writer's block much as a parent approaches a wailing infant: go down the checklist of usual suspects until something works. Sometimes I'm burned out and need space. Sometimes I need to suck it up and start typing. Sometimes I need inspiration, so I read or listen to music. There are a dozen or so other things I might try. I never really know what's going to work until I happen upon it.
Guess what! Since commenting about reading being a trail to writing again, my mind has been swarming with ideas for a new novel! But not the one I expected!
This one was written as YA time travel 20 years ago! But it never had the BIG HOOK.
That HOOK grabbed me and won't leave me alone until it's written! I'll be able to use almost all of the original, too!
New suggestion for you! Go back to articles you wrote years ago that didn't have that essential HOOK. Then forget about it. Do something else.
You may realize that your brain has figured out what was missing.
I can't wait to turn FORGET ME NOT into the story I started, but never finished.
Also.....please put your wonderful Medium posts about women on Substack! I'll subscribe instantly! And they'll attract new readers and generate new income! I terminated my Medium account yesterday so I can focus on SS. I don't want to miss any of your incredible articles!
I definitely give myself a "time out" - tough as this can be because I am Queen Obsessive Compulsive. I go wash dishes, walk, watering the plants is particularly effective...as is taking a nap. I reboot. Great piece as always. I am exactly like you. "Well. I write because if I don’t, I slowly go insane." The words will come, when they're Meant to. Maybe the block will unlock if you take the entire weekend off and work on something else. Your readers will understand...and many, empathize
Lots of different ways depending on the problem. If I lack direction, I try to step back and remember what my point is. If it lacks personality, I relate a personal anecdote. If I'm really stuck and still can't find the spark, I'll ask a fellow writer friend who is familiar with my writing and she'll usually cut to the heart of it pretty quickly.
Sometimes, I just need to take a break. I'll go for a walk, or spend my usual writing time playing a video game, or get some dishes done while not-thinking.
Sometimes these things just have to percolate. To run with the coffee metaphor, if you're pouring hot water through used-up grounds, the result is gonna be weak at best.
A piece of advice I often give fellow writer friends in a similar situation to you is to take a day where you're not allowed to write at all. You can think about writing, or yearn to write, or make a quick note of what the problem might be if that inspiration comes to you, but you're not allowed to actually Write.
I hope something I've said helps, and that your mojo returns soon!
The percolate thing really hits home. A lot of times, I'll be washing dishes or going for a walk and I suddenly *see* exactly what's missing. Perhaps a different direction or a perspective I missed. Then I go back and finish. I guess right now I'm just dumping sand in the box so I can build castles later. Thanks, Kenzie -- that was helpful. Helps to be reminded of what we already knew, but forgot out of frustration. :)
I take a nature break -- trail run, walk, ride my horse, go pull some weeds, whatever. Your brain needs that and the science backs me up. Do something that requires your full attention. Your writing brain will be spinning away without any input from you. Then you go back to your work with an entirely different mindset. Good luck. I hate sloggy writing periods! :-P
Good suggestion. I haven't done that in a while. Probably need it more than I realize.
I can so relate. Over the past few weeks, I've found myself turning to other activities and starting a new hobby/art form. Like you, I also have to write to stay sane, but it's been feeling good to step away from my routine a bit and "plant some seeds" by doing and learning new things. Good luck! You'll get there. If not, maybe ask Siri! :)
I can relate. I have been working on some fonts and a new site because gotta find something that feels good when I'm done. Haha, no Siri for me, I use Samsung. But have you seen the videos of Siri laughing? lol
I haven’t. Guess I will have to check them out!
Your email interrupted a very intense game of Solitaire, while I was waiting on my fat ass muse to arrive so I could continue the novella which will shock the world with its brilliance, only I'm playing solitaire. Actually, I've never met her in person, so I made up that bit about her butt.
And when I finish this game, I really should open Revit and work on the drawings for the beach house that I've been setting aside for weeks so I could write the novella that I'm putting off. I can multi task like no one I know.
I am a professional.
lol, William. On the heels of Kenzie's comment, procrastinating can also be percolating. But it can also be avoiding. Lucky you, though. I don't multi task worth a damn.
😂😂 For me it's Candy Crush lol. It feels more rewarding than writing sometimes. I mean, I'm at level 6000 and there's treats along the way 😂
I have never played it. You described why. lol
Just DON'T do it. I started many, many years ago during a mid-life crisis and I never stopped.
idk how helpful this is, but the best way for me to get the words flowing is to sit down and start writing while my toddler is soundly napping. Then, BINGO, as soon as I'm on the best roll of my life, he wakes up and screams and I lose my progress, my train of thought, and occasionally my document if I don't remember to save it before getting him. Works every time. Lol
Lmao. That made me laugh. Laughter is medicine, too.
For real, though, sometimes I just have to step away and read something that's not on a screen (even just for 15-20 minutes). Reading other people's work gets my juices flowing, and though I love blogs and articles and newsletters (hi!), something about physically printed words on a page, preferably a book, helps stimulate my own creativity.
Me too. When all else fails, I read a book, preferably outside. :)
I’m looking forward to the answers. I’m in one up to my neck!
Seems there's a LOT of us in the same space. Tons of ideas and a couple I'm even going to try
I stop writing and read one novel after another until I'm compelled to write.
My next novel is talking to me, more than before. Not sure when the first sentences will form and drag me to my computer but that will be my return.
My suggestion? Read.
Hah! I have been. Hasn't helped yet, but waded through a couple of good books. I guess I could write book reviews. lol
About 95% of my writing is to put a task in terms a machine will understand. The other 5% is spent on emails and comments like this one. The process is similar, even though the result is not. Every morning starts with my wife and I walking a 5k. It takes just under an hour. As a number of other commenters have said, walking gets the mind going and starts the ideas flowing. One of the notable practitioners of this was the late Steve Jobs. People recalling meetings with him say it nearly always involved a walk, not sitting in an office. There is probably even some science behind this, but there is no downside to doing it. Asking Google for advice may carry the illusion of crowd-sourcing, but it's actually just putting yourself at the mercy of "the algorithm" that is designed solely for the purpose of enriching the Google shareholders.
Yup, lots mentioned walking. Good point on google, though. Plus, once you know how to game it a little bit, the results feel even more useless. The only thing google has going for it is that the homepage doesn't look like Yahoo or Bing.
LOL!
Honestly, I'm having a helluva time trying to write the last few months too. If I struggle I pretty much hit Instagram and make another funny video of my dog lol.
I don't know what my blocker is lately but I'm utterly blocked. But I simply let it happen. Obviously there's a reason that needs to work itself out.
Sorry....that's shitty advice 😂
lol Kristi, it's not shitty advice. Sometimes there isn't much to do but wait for the suckage to pass. I didn't know you have funny videos of your dog on IG. I should probably get my butt over there.
Hey Linda,
For me, I would want to figure out why I am stuck first. Journaling could help me find that problem. For example, for my article, "An Aromantic's Quest to Find a Stable, Loving Relationship," I was stuck for a while. I did journaling, which was, in this case, free-writing about my worries and frustrations.
After ranting to myself for a while, I realized that I was feeling more vulnerable than I expected, and was very unwilling to share my story with the public.
Eventually, through more journaling, I was able to gently encourage myself to finish the article. I was still kind of terrified when I published it, but not only did no one say anything judgmental to me, it turned out to be one of my most popular articles ever! (One friend suggested that it's precisely because it's so vulnerable that readers are drawn to it, haha.)
There was another piece I got super stuck on, for similar reasons. It was a narrative poem, where I imagine an ideal scenario for my crush and I (it's complicated). This also explores the difficulties of having multiple minority identities, of being gay, trans, and aromantic. I felt so reluctant to even finish the draft, because the difference between fantasy and reality made me too sad.
If pulling teeth was bad, imagine trying to push a horse who stands stubbornly rooted to the ground. It's way heavier than you, so there's no hope of you getting it to move by sheer pushing. Instead, you have to find out a way to soothe and motivate the horse to want to run again. (No whips or crops in this analogy, either.)
For this case, I started a new piece first, where I wrote quickly about a much less emotionally threatening topic that I still cared about. Eventually, rather than pushing, I gently encouraged myself to write one line, then another, bit by bit. I told myself it didn't need to be perfect. Before I knew it, I finally finished the draft! The editing was actually way easier, because I could focus on the words, the craft, rather than to get so emotionally paralyzed by the content.
Sorry for the long essay but I hope that gives you some ideas!
Sieran, that makes perfect sense in your case. For sure. God, I don't know how you do it, honestly. I very seldom write personal essays because gah. What you said. With these, they're historical pieces and I just feel like I don't have the tone right. But still, writing about the writing might help and worth a try.
A kind-of Zen answer to your writing rut question:
acceptance, for that which IS, for the moment.
Everything in life is temporary. Writing ruts are likewise; the length of same just might be longer than you wish… Don’t get anxious for being “stuck.” Acceptance brings calmness - or it should.
Also, make a mental note to allow your subconscious to “work it out” while you are sleeping.
Meanwhile jot down ideas as they arise; but do NOT force writing. Forcing, like picking at a scab continuously, is the antithesis of ACCEPTANCE.
That's a very valid point, Linda. I used to do a night journaling exercise. It was real simple. I'd just write down a question before I went to bed. Astounding how often I woke with an answer. Thanks!
Yep, that’s how creativity works!
Get out of my head Linda. I've been in the exact same predicament for the past two weeks. Draft after draft and just a feeling of dread whenever my mouse hovers over the "publish" button. I was even talking with my partner last night about how I realize that I'm simply in a procrastinate mode, anything I get involved in gets interrupted by another time wasting idea.
Well, that's strangely comforting to hear, Tim. lol. It's a good reminder that we can't be "on" all the time and it's probably normal to have those phases. The moon isn't always full. The tides go in and out. Birds don't sing every waking minute. Why would we expect ourselves to? :)
If I'm really stuck, and my self-imposed blogging deadline is coming up, I just write something bad.
That's how it works on my personal blog: I post at least once a week. Even if it's crap.
(Sometimes when I write multiple posts as once I 'save' some and schedule them for later so I get some weeks off blogging).
Sara, I might try that, too. Maybe go through the drafts and find what sucks least. Then just let it go. Might be cathartic.
I approach writer's block much as a parent approaches a wailing infant: go down the checklist of usual suspects until something works. Sometimes I'm burned out and need space. Sometimes I need to suck it up and start typing. Sometimes I need inspiration, so I read or listen to music. There are a dozen or so other things I might try. I never really know what's going to work until I happen upon it.
Guess what! Since commenting about reading being a trail to writing again, my mind has been swarming with ideas for a new novel! But not the one I expected!
This one was written as YA time travel 20 years ago! But it never had the BIG HOOK.
That HOOK grabbed me and won't leave me alone until it's written! I'll be able to use almost all of the original, too!
New suggestion for you! Go back to articles you wrote years ago that didn't have that essential HOOK. Then forget about it. Do something else.
You may realize that your brain has figured out what was missing.
I can't wait to turn FORGET ME NOT into the story I started, but never finished.
Also.....please put your wonderful Medium posts about women on Substack! I'll subscribe instantly! And they'll attract new readers and generate new income! I terminated my Medium account yesterday so I can focus on SS. I don't want to miss any of your incredible articles!
Love and Hugs!
Linda
I definitely give myself a "time out" - tough as this can be because I am Queen Obsessive Compulsive. I go wash dishes, walk, watering the plants is particularly effective...as is taking a nap. I reboot. Great piece as always. I am exactly like you. "Well. I write because if I don’t, I slowly go insane." The words will come, when they're Meant to. Maybe the block will unlock if you take the entire weekend off and work on something else. Your readers will understand...and many, empathize