How To Write Even When You Don't Feel Like It

Now, this, this is one for the books.

Whether you write professionally or creatively, we've all had those days (or weeks) where we'd rather just...not. Suddenly sleeps seems so much more enticing and Netflix is basically whispering in your ear. Don't worry, I get you. Because, truth is, sometimes writing can be grueling, long and, honestly, kinda boring but that's okay. It's okay to say that. Just because it’s our favourite hobby or our job doesn't mean we have to love it all the time, every time. Like everything else, it can definitely get tedious.

Say it with me: "Sometimes I don't want to write." No shame here, readers, and you shouldn't feel guilty either!

Currently, I write for my local newspaper, teenAGE Observer and I write creatively on Wattpad and boy, oh, boy do I fantasize about jumping off a cliff. But, the point is, this issue certainly isn't unique to you and I can completely relate. Especially, now more than ever.

These past few weeks I've been struggling to pump out a new book of mine called Godspeed and while I love the idea of it, every time I go to actually write it, I completely fizz out. But, on the bright side I've been developing lots of new ways to force myself into getting this story out of me and onto a page, in fact, I'm well on my way to finishing it! And these new tips I've found that have helped me are want to share with you guys today.

But before we dive right in, if you're new to my blog, welcome. Nice to meet you, you sexy new reader you. If you're not new here, welcome back, you old hag (I kid, I kid). Old or new, I love you equally! So, don't forget to subscribe to my blog so you can get notified every time I drop a new post and be sure to click that little heart icon at the end of this post to fuel my validation! Thanks in advance. Now let's get into this week's post! This is: How To Write Even When You Don't Feel Like It.

1. Do It Anyway

I know, I know. It almost sounds like I'm oversimplifying the problem, but bear with me here. The reality is whatever it is that you want to write, it is already in you. You can write it. It is yours. It's just that, for whatever reason, you can't be bothered. Well, it's time to pull your socks up because that's simply not good enough.

I know this can seem hard but I promise this is the best way. Grab your laptop (or whatever else you write on) and just start typing. Just do it. Even if the quality is so horrible that you want to throw up and cringe just thinking about how awful it is, just do it and get it out of you. Keep going and going and going until everything you've thought of is at least on the page. It might not be pretty but at least it is there. On the page. In front of you.

“You can always edit a bad page. You can’t edit a blank page.”― Jodi Picoult

I say all this because as writers we can easily find ourselves doing three things.

1. Waiting for inspiration.

2. Thinking about writing instead of writing.

3. Feeling guilty that we're thinking about writing instead of writing.

It's a nightmare. But if we just sat ourselves down and literally forced it out of us, we would feel so much better. Don't worry about the bad grammar and how ugly and unprofessional it sounds. That's the beauty of technology, my friend: you can edit it all later. What's important right now is just getting it all on the page. And, I promise you'll feel so much better the next day when you pull up the page and see your draft. It will be bad, but you'll give yourself a pat on the back nevertheless for at least doing it, hitting that meager 500 word count and, more importantly, you won't feel like you have to start from square one. From that point on, you'll just be molding and perfecting your story and it will feel a lot less daunting, impossible and far-fetched. I promise. Just do it! *insert Shia Lebouf meme here*

2. Remember Why You Write

When you've written a lot over a long period of time, it's easy to forget why or take it all for granted.

Stop.

Really think about why you write. Why you chose this for yourself and the consequences of not getting it done. I know for me, I always remember a few key things that supercharge me into getting what I need to get done, done. Here they are:

1. I'm not that good at many other things.

2. I want to be really, really, really good at this one day.

3. I can't see myself doing any other job, so if this doesn't work out, I'm a goner.

4. Beyonce has been training to be a pop icon since she was 11 and still to this day trains like a maniac.

I mean, that's just me but whatever works for you! Remember why you need to write and try to focus on that. Remind yourself that this is for you and you've come too damn far to just throw in the towel now. Think about those things. Dwell on them. And get writing!

3. Watch Writing/Productivity Videos

Notice in the title I didn't say binge. Pace yourself, Becky (if you're name is Becky, I'm so sorry).

A few inspiring videos to show you how others deal with workload, constantly being on the go and working non-stop should be good. Just enough to guilt trip you into writing! No, but things like that can be really motivational and make you feel less alone. Also, it can remind you that with hard work your dreams can actually (cheesy, I know) come true!

On days when that draft just seems impossible watching someone else go through the motions ar excitingly talk about being productive can be the exact jump-start your mood/mentality might need in order to feel good about writing again! You owe yourself that much!

4. Doodle/Plan

I think often times we don't feel like writing because we might not know where to start or the idea just seems so big in our heads that we're not quite sure how to navigate it just yet. Well, fret not! Whenever I feel like this, I just pop out my trusty notebook (if you don't have a notebook for writing you need one ASAP) and I just go at it.

When the ideas are a little too spaced out and vague, I often like to doodle just to get physically moving and allow my mind to wander and flesh out my ideas. If you can't draw, don't feel bad! I can't either! No one will see them but you anyway and you don't have to doodle anything coherent. I just do abstract squiggles. Works like a charm.

For the opposite, when the my ideas are just too crowded and confusing, I like to plan. This is really effective because I can have the chance to sort through my mind, give myself a beginning, a middle and an end. That way, whatever I'm writing will feel a lot smaller and a lot less insurmountable!

5. Click off This Post Right Now And Get To It!

No, I'm serious. Leave a like and a comment and all, but like, you need to go. Your draft misses you. Remember to implement all these tips and have at it!

*Refer to tip #1

Conclusion

What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be writing? *sigh* Well, since you're already here, be sure to click that little heart icon if you liked this post and drop a comment below if this helped you or if you plan on using any of these tips!

If you want to read more stuff from me feel free to follow me on Wattpad and Medium so you can read all my works and Twitter and Instagram where I occasionally rant, share music and discuss the pains of being a creator. Oh, also, I share sneak peeks of my novel and new blog posts at times too, if you're into that. Have a great weekend, readers!

*this week's inspiration comes to us from astraeuzz on tumblr! If you liked the images in this post, go give them a follow!