Okay, I should preface this by saying I’m still not out of writer’s block. Not really. Here’s how it started, and what I’m doing to try to remedy my creatively-drained brain.
Where I’m At
For my day job (sadly, I’m required to have one of those), I write marketing material: technical blogs, newsletters, ads, e-books, the whole nine yards, all revolving around one topic. Since I started full-time, I’ve found my creative fiction writing slow considerably.
I used to be able to write whatever, whenever. I’d write every day. It was freeing. Satisfying. Cathartic. And it still is—sometimes. But it takes a lot more work to get there now.
I thought it was strange how writers said they experienced months of writer’s block. How is that possible? I wondered. There are so many stories in my head! Alas, my hubris. I might still have stories stuck in my head, but getting them onto paper is like taming a bumblebee.
I’ve dissected my problem into three main culprits:
- Social media
- Writing for a day job
- Lack of sunshine
Social Media (And Other Distractions)
Social media seems the most obvious. “Doom scrolling”, we call it, and for good reason. I’ll also toss podcasts, chores, and other distractions into this category.
The older I’ve gotten, the more I feel Father Time ticking away at what I could spend learning something new, keeping up with the news, or starting a new hobby.
While some of those things can be good in moderation, I’ve become so consumed by productivity culture that I’ve hit the slope running a little too fast, and now catapulted to the bottom…straight into a mud pit.
The Dreaded Day Job
I would give all of my left shoes to be able to write fiction full-time. But that’s not how life works (For most people. I know I’m not the only one).
I write a lot of dry, corporate jargon all day. But this is a poor excuse for my writer’s block because I see my fiction writing as a very different part of my brain.
The benefit my job has given me (besides being able to pay the bills) is that I can now type even faster! If only the ideas would come.
Lack of Sunshine
Look, I know the lack of sunshine is partly my fault. I moved from sunny Alberta, Canada to grey, rainy Wales. Much as I’m loathe to admit it, the sun makes a huge difference in my motivation levels.
I know authors say you can’t rely on inspiration to strike. It’s like standing on a hill on a sunny day wearing rubber boots and waiting for lightning. You’ve got to put in the work. Jack up that metal rod in a thunderstorm. Sit your butt down and focus.
The Solutions (Or So I Hope)
Right, enough complaining. On to the solutions. (This is where you readers are my accountability partners, so I stick to these and report back on my progress.)
- I’m going to limit my phone consumption times. I heard a saying recently (forgive me for forgetting the reference) that we should always create before we consume. That means waking up and writing before I look at my phone or scroll endlessly through more cake-decorating TikTok videos (why are those so addicting??)
- I’m going to stop making so many excuses about why I have writer’s block. Then, instead of being too hard on myself, I’m going to celebrate the little baby achievements—even if that’s only adding 10 new words to my WIP that day.
- We’re approaching summer (yay!), so I’ll be sitting in the sun more and enjoying the beautiful weather. I may even consider leaving my house once in a while to get into nature.
- I’m setting myself writing milestones with “prizes” for each one I hit. Basically, a chore wheel (with perks!) for my novel writing. So far, I’ve come up with small gifts (cake, books, a trip to a nearby bookish town) for each significant step in writing my first draft, based on the percentage toward my goal word count (for this one, it’s 90,000 words).
- I’m going to forgive myself when I have a long day at work and can’t eke out a single creative thought, then try again tomorrow.
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