Stop F****** About and Start Writing

It’s been a tough couple of weeks; well, OK a month and a bit. I had an overload and then couldn’t restart in any meaningful way. Everything I wrote, I scrapped and then for a few weeks couldn’t write anything at all.

I had so much to write. The next assignment for my MA, the opening for the final piece due in September, an article for LinkedIn, a book review and this blog all stretched out before me; a swirling amorphous mass of ‘reasons to be writing’ each one getting harder imprint on a page. Even my morning pages, which are sporadic at best, were no more than “I’m not sure what to write today.”

It was easy to get distracted. Comparative scrolling as other writers post how well it’s going on Insta; organisational procrastination where I will ‘just sort my pens out in colour order’ and then start writing; reading – voraciously. My Kindle Unlimited subscriptions lets me read some terrible books in less than half a day where the plot doesn’t even touch the sides. They are the pop-corn equivalent of books; filling but nutritional devoid. I even tried to reduce my tsundoku (although in truth added two more books to the pile) and my book club went retro with a Jackie Collins selection.

The more I didn’t; the more I couldn’t.

So, what do you do, as a writer, when you can’t write?

Usual list disclaimers apply.

• Remember you’re a writer.
  One member of my MA tutorial group runs marathons. I am sure he doesn’t run them every day and sometimes, may not even train. But he is a marathon runner never-the-less. Even when you are not writing, remember you are a writer.
• Read as a writer.
  I can’t simply read anymore. I study the language, POV, character, style and tone. I analyse how an author handles time and what their themes are. This means that when you are reading, you are actually studying. Yay – Go you!
• Don’t make it a chore.
  Although some writers thrive through constant output, I am not one of them. Tearing up your writing to-do-list may give all the words you have in your head more space to breathe. It may also provoke an existential crisis so you do you.
• Recognise it happens to all writers.
  Choose your favourite author, chances are that they have all experienced it and some may even have written about it. For me it can sometimes feel like 10% inspiration but 90% aggravation.
• Limit your social media time.
  Unless, of course, it’s done with intention.
• Do your research.
  This legitimises all that time you spend falling down the internet rabbit holes. Make sure you keep a track of all that madness so it can be used later.
• Ask ChatGPT for a writing prompt.
  If nothing else it will make you laugh.

It came back slowly like the reflooding of the Okavango Delta – but once it had started, it felt good to be back. I had forgotten why I love this process of thoughts into words into stories. I had forgotten that it was supposed to be fun and bring me joy. I can’t tell you when or exactly how but all of the above helped and suddenly it wasn’t so hard anymore.

If this is where you are right now. I wish you luck.

Remember: You are a writer.