What’s a writer to
do when they can’t write?
I have experienced
this many times and most of them have been around the time when I have just
finished a deadline of some sort. However, recently I have found I’m not up to
my usual 5K per day and I’ve had to go back to some interesting strategies I’ve
developed years ago to get me back on track.
More importantly, I’ve
been recently asked that question by other writers and I’ll tell you exactly what
I tell them: It depends what you’re writing and what the problem is. And this
is very true. You must be able to figure out just why you aren’t writing. It
can be a variety of things which keep you from your goals.
First, if you’re
ill, you just do the best you can. Since I have allergy days quite frequently
in both the spring and the fall, I make sure my daily word count is exceeded on
some days so that I can make up for those days of the pounding head. Illnesses
of any kind aren’t good and you must heal yourself before you can heal your
writing.
Second, if there
is a family issue, you need to spend time taking care of the problem so you can
free your mind to write. Last year was one of my worst years ever as far as
writing goes because my husband had cancer. I had to do other things to keep
the writing alive from classes to reading to just trying to keep it all
together some days.
Third, know your
limitations. Sometimes you have to give writing a break to replenish the
creativity well. It doesn’t happen often but you need to evaluate just what’s
going on. If you determine this is the issue, set yourself a time limit and
once that is over, slowly work yourself back into writing.
Now, if it’s
because I can’t get my Muse going, that in itself is a completely different
thing. There are a few techniques I use to try and get things flowing again.
Here’s my list:
1. Listen
to music – when nothing comes, I will sit down and listen to music as I attempt
to write. Again, the type of music depends upon what I’m writing. Something
classical just won’t do if I’m writing a battle scene so I make the music
appropriate to what I’m doing.
2. Write
anything – the day doesn’t always start good and I don’t always start on my
story right away. Sometimes, the best I can do has nothing to do with what I’m
writing. So I just write. Usually by the end of the second hour, I’m back on
track for the story.
3. Plot a
new story – I have a lot of series going and sometimes the best thing for me is
to move away from the story I’m working on and start plotting the next one. For
many of my stories, I am a pantser which means I just work it out in my head
and sit down to write. However, when I’m working on a series I have to make
sure that I don’t violate something I’ve previously done in the series. This
also allows me to plan new and different things for the books. And it also just
gets me back into writing.
4. Read –
I can’t say this enough, read the genre that you write. If you’re doing urban
fantasy, read urban fantasy, if you’re doing futuristic, read futuristic. You
must know your market and you will never gain that knowledge unless you read
the genre.
5. Take
care of yourself – What I mean by this is get a massage, take a walk, talk to
your kids, make love with your husband or significant other. It can’t all be
about the writing because without you there would be no writing.
If none of these techniques work, then try
to remember why you became a writer. Grasp that same joy and use it to elevate
yourself to feel the creativeness rise in you. Embrace it when it arrives and
make sure you nurture your muse as much as you can.
Being creative can be a finicky business
and as a writer, you may need to do a variety of things before you can again
create the stories you love. Just never give up on your dream to bring those
stories to life because if you don’t, they will never get written!
Now on to the good
stuff… earlier this month, I had a release within the anthology called Mystic
Realms, and my story was called Avenging Aingeal. Here’s the blurb for the
anthology and my story as well the buy link. It is currently free at Kindle
Unlimited. Also, I do believe that there’s still a $50 gift certificate up for
grabs and all you need to do is to comment for you chance at one of these two
blog posts:
and
What goes bump in
the night? What causes you a fright? While the answers for each may vary, I
promise that these stories will not leave you wary.
From vampires and
demons to shifters and creatures that you’d never suspect, this set will leave
you breathless in the best possible ways.
So, don’t be
afraid. Come, step inside our realm. Allow the mysticism of romance in many
shapes and forms fall over you like a veil of sweet, soothing, spine tingling
comfort.
We promise…you
won’t be sorry.
Aingeal Cochran is
on a mission to save humanity from itself when suddenly she’s staring head-on
at her forgotten past. Lukas Everhard must bring her up to speed regarding the
real enemy before allowing himself to love her completely. In learning about
her past and mission, Aingeal realizes the best is yet to be and she will do
anything to protect those she loves. For Lukas, Aingeal is the mission.
Good luck in all your writing endeavors.
See you next month!
Lynn
