Writer’s block. That dreaded term in every writer’s vocabulary. Enter the sick feeling, the eye roll, and the heart racing. Okay, maybe you’re not quite as dramatic as I am. However, every writer knows how dreaded this term is. Writer’s block can prevent even the most experienced writers from writing for weeks. It’s almost like the writer’s equivalent of walking through a desert for who knows how long, without any supply of water. Told you I’m dramatic. Sometimes it feels real though, doesn’t it? Writer’s block is hard and it can even be exhausting as you pour all of your efforts into trying to write, even when the words won’t come easily. It feels as if your well of inspiration and love for writing has all but dried up. I’m no expert at conquering this giant fear of writing woe’s, trust me. However, when you’ve been writing for over half of your life, you definitely learn some in’s and out’s of defeating such enemies as writer’s block. With that being said, here are six ways I have found to fight this enemy in your own writing journey… 1) Read. I’ve been reading for basically as long as I can remember. Just as good musicians listen to other good music, good writers should read good books. Reading is a great way to gain inspiration, grow as a writer, and figure out what you will most enjoy writing about. Reading opens your mind to new ideas, new phrases, and different ways to say things. You can learn so much from simply reading a book by an inspirational author. So next time writer’s block strikes, don’t sit down in front of the computer in despair and watch three hours of Netflix! Read, read, and read some more. 2) Get out and do something! Most of us are not going to gain more inspiration by sitting in front of a blank Microsoft Word document and sipping our fourth cup of coffee. If you need new inspiration for a story idea or you’re looking for a new perspective, get out and live a little bit! Take a nature walk through some woods and observe the wildlife. Go swimming in a lake and soak up the sunshine. Invite some friends for an ice cream date. Try something you’ve never tried before: a new food flavor, a new sport, a new writing method, or a new instrument. Sometimes just taking a break will refresh your mind and give you a new perspective on your story. 3) Always carry a notebook. Sometimes writer’s block occurs whenever we sit and stare at those blank pages. I don’t know about you, but a blank page with no words on it yet is more daunting to me than the thought of climbing the Great Wall of China. But when I’m actually out living life, ideas always seem to be flowing. Can you relate? This is why carrying a notebook is so important as a writer! Whenever you hear a phrase, or you see a beautiful sight that sparks inspiration in you, write it down. Don’t wait until later. Waiting will only give time for the inspiration to die or for you to forget what it was you wanted to remember all along. Don’t forget that precious paper and pen. 4) Get words on the paper anyway. I can still remember a time in my life where writer’s block felt like it was going to destroy my whole love of writing. I dreaded just sitting at my computer because I knew the words were not going to come easily, and I would probably not even like what I was going to write. The biggest piece of advice I was given during this time was: write anyway. Writers write. Even when it’s hard. Even when they’re busy. Even when they don’t have inspiration. Even when they feel that sting of writer’s block. Don’t stop writing because you don’t know what to say, or you don’t know how to say what you want to say. Write words down, even if they stink. You can always fix them later. Just make sure they’re on that paper. 5) Join a writing community. Writer’s block and community reminds me a little bit of darkness and light. Whenever there is a whole lot of light, the darkness disappears. So whenever you are fellowshipping with a community of other writers, writer’s block will tend to disappear. There are so many advantages to a writing community. Not only will you gain accountability from the other writers in the group, but they will also encourage and inspire you to just keep writing. Join a writing group on Facebook, connect with others on Goodreads, or create a writing group for your friends who love to write. Have fun and watch the writer’s block disappear! 6) Know Who you are writing for. Writing has always been a huge part of my life. It is my avenue of expressing my heart, my thoughts, and my message. It is where I get out frustration, learn new things, and create new ideas. But more than anything, the biggest reason I write is to share with others more about the God who gave me the gift to write. Since I started writing seriously, I dedicated everything I wrote to the One who gave me this gift. I write for Him, and because I write for Him, whatever comes of my writing is for His glory. I encourage to honestly evaluate your writing and who you’re writing for. Is it for yourself? For the approval of others? For money? Or is it to give back the glory to God? When we write with our focus on glorifying God, everything changes. Writer’s block loses its hold on us because we no longer worry about what we are “supposed” to write to look good. Instead, we are focused on what we are called to write to honor Jesus. Pray over your writing. Develop a team of prayer warriors when you are working on a new project. And then, dear writer, just write. Write words that will point your audience back to Who you are writing for, every time. I've been passionate about writing ever since I was a little girl. I'd sit down and scribble out stories and words in as many notebooks as I could get my hands on. When I was old enough to get a laptop computer, I would sit there for hours and type, letting my fingers fly across the keys. Of course, writing isn't always easy and the truth is that I can't do it on my own. I need mentors who have walked the journey of writing ahead of me. I need readers who want to listen to what I have to say. I need family and friends to encourage me (and maybe bring me peanut butter cup ice cream when the editing is getting stressful). Because I know the community that writing requires, I have become passionate about encouraging, mentoring, and providing resources to other writers, so they don't have to do this alone either. That's why I created this page on my blog. This page of my blog is dedicated to every writer who wants to grow but doesn't know how. It's dedicated to every writer passionate about sharing meaningful words, but having no clue how to grow a platform. It's dedicated to every writer looking for resources or advice. Here I will share encouragement, advice, and resources. And if you ever have any questions, or just need someone to assure you that you can do this, feel free to contact me through my contact page any time. Let's do this thing together, okay? And in the meantime, if you haven't heard I've also written a mini guide specifically for writers who are looking for help on writing, editing, self-publishing, and marketing. This guide is called, "Yes, You Can: A Guide to Writing and Sharing Your Story." It can be purchased by contacting me directly or clicking on the link below. This book was created because I want to help you. And I understand that sometimes money can be tight, so if you are serious about writing and think this could be a helpful resource to you, but you don't have the money, contact me. I'd love to send you a digital copy on me. ♥ Growing up, I went through so many phases of different things that I wanted to be when I "was older." A professional ice skater. Thankfully, I realized I was too clumsy for that. Show jumper on my own horse in the Olympics. I held onto this one a bit longer, but this too I eventually let go of when my horse obsession faded, and God placed a special calling on my life. A lawyer. Nah, too much college. A chef. That is until I realized I not only can't cook, but I also strongly dislike it. So many different ideas, goals, and ambitions. But the one thing I've always wanted to be in the depths of my heart that has never changed? A writer. I decided that from the moment I held a pen and discovered that I could use it to create stories and worlds that were my own. I knew it from the moment my creativity first got the best of me and I ached to develop characters that only my mind could see. I understood it more clearly from the first time my fingers touched my shiny new keyboard of my first laptop. From the time I was eight years old, I knew God made me to write. Of course, I've been writing pretty much since I could hold a pen. But when I was eight? Well, everything changed. A simple creative writing assignment for homeschool turned into a story that I couldn't get enough of. I had to write more, I had to tell more about the life of this girl I had created on my own. Would anyone read it? Probably not. But did I care? Nope. All I cared about was writing. Soon enough, however, I ached for others to read my writing. I dreamed of the day I could write and hundreds of people would read it. I dreamed of the day I could type out a blog post and get a response. I dreamed of the day people would hold my words in printed form, the way I held and cherished others books. I dreamed of the day when my writing would not only impact other's lives, but inspire them too. And if you would've told my young self that I would be standing here today, I might not have believed you. Writing has been my life and my dream for so many years, that it has become a part of me. Writing is no longer something that I do. But being a writer is who I am. I'll be the first to tell you...although it is the love of my life, writing is far from easy. Writing is hard. Writing is messy. Writing is frustrating. And sometimes writing makes me want to give up. For anyone who thinks that writing is a simple, easy, or small task, you are wrong. To think that writing is an easy job is to be severely misled. Writing is the hardest job that I've ever had. Yet I would never trade writing for any other job in the world. With that being said, this is for you...the writer. These are my words to remind you why what you are writing is so very, very important. You see, maybe you feel like giving up. Maybe you feel like your writing isn't important because you honestly aren't reaching that many people. Maybe you assume you could never make money off of your writing, so you should pursue something else instead. Maybe you think your writing doesn't really matter in the end. And you, my friend, would be wrong. Writing is going to take everything you have. But it's going to be worth it. Yeah, maybe not many people do read what you write. But you know what? Write anyway. You have no idea the impact you could make on the person who does read what you share. Your writing is important, because writing is a gift from God. God is the Master Storyteller. He has written the greatest Story of all time throughout history and He made you a part of that story. He is the King of creativity. If God has given you the gift and the calling to write, you must realize the importance of this calling. Every word you right has the possibility of changing someone's life. Sometimes you may hear about the impact your words made, but often you won't. Your writing is important, because it is your responsibility to give back to God what He has given to you. He has given you this gift. He has given you this calling. Using your writing for anything less than His glory would be a shame. Your writing is important, because you have something to say. The burning message in your heart that you want others to hear? That matters. The words you ache for others to read? They matter. Don't let anyone--especially yourself--tell you otherwise. I'm telling you right now...what you have to say is important. So sit down and write it. |
About this page:
This page of my blog is dedicated specifically to writers. I've been writing for over half of my life. I live and breathe writing. Because of that, I'm passionate about helping other writers grow, develop, and succeed. This section of my blog will include blog posts dedicated to writing, encouragement, and resources. Feel free to read through some posts and my contact form is always open if you ever have any questions or need encouragement! ♥ Archives
April 2018
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