Fight For Writing Series #1: Why Writing Feels Impossible & How To Make It Enjoyable Again
Writers write because they love to write, but even doing the things we love can feel incredibly difficult at times. The good news is this doesn’t have to be a permanent state of being, and I’ve got some ideas for you on how to get back into your writing practice today!
Welcome to Fighting For Writing, a safe space for speculative fiction writers to study, fill their well, get inspired, and find new ideas on how to integrate their writing practice more deeply into their life.
Throughout this series, we’ll explore why writing feels difficult, how to make writing feel enjoyable and challenging, and how to make writing feel easier.
A bad taste forms on our tongue when all we want to do is write, yet nothing on earth feels more difficult than putting words on the page.
If you’re finding it hard to write these days and the usual tip and tricks like “build a habit” and “go for a walk outside” just aren’t cutting it, you might need to dig a little deeper into your life to find our where this blockage is coming from.
Why Writing Feel So Hard For You
We live in a world at constant war with creativity — ESPECIALLY focused, solitary creative tasks like fiction writing.
At times, I have felt like life itself is the enemy to my writing practice. A memory from college sticks with me: I was deep in a draft, in that flow state, writing my heart out, and my roommates burst into my room in funky costumes, half drunk, and quickly exited.
My concentration was shot. I was livid. Suddenly, it became difficult to write.
Why is it so damn hard to just sit and get the words out sometimes?
The old adages of “write every day” and “show don’t tell” are hard to apply to a post-pandemic age where so many of us are burnt out and can’t move through the world the way we used to.
Here is my mega writing pro-tip that will set the tone for this whole series:
It’s not your fault you’re finding it difficult to write. It really isn’t.
If Writing Seems Too Difficult These Days, You Can Reframe Your Thinking
Creative work demonstrates the intersection between willpower and the indomitable need to express what is inside. No matter how much we want to write or create, there are times we find ourselves unable to put everything else aside and focus on our craft.
Other times, very real circumstances like health, grief, or national circumstances make writing difficult.
What Can We Do To Beat A Creative Writing Block?
To beat a creative block, you have to think outside the box.
Or rather, stack some blocks and boxes on top of one another until you get a new perspective.
Often, the advice given to those in a writing block is “just sit down and write.”
There is strong merit to this advice, of course. The book does not write itself. But whether this advice helps you write depends on the source of what is making writing so hard for you in the first place.
Consider your own personality and disposition, and ask yourself these questions:
- Does this advice make you feel alienated?
- Are you a beginner writer starting from 0?
- Do you experience feelings of shame towards your writing?
- Have you been disconnected from your writing?
- Are you neurodivergent and find the typical tips don’t work for you?
Whether or not you answered yes to any of these, there are endless factors that can play into “writer’s block.” The best place to start?
Stop beating yourself up.
Writing Might Feel Difficult Because You’re Ignoring Self Care + Being Too Hard On Yourself
How often do we talk about what happens in the moments before you write your first words for the day?
Especially in the world of fantasy and speculative fiction, an entire galaxy of preparation can go into making that one single book. To get there, you have to start (or restart) somewhere.
Here are the major arcs that precede the actual act of writing I want you to keep in mind throughout this blog series.
Practice Limitless Acceptance
The fixation to create a perfect finished product is probably the greatest obstacle to actually accomplishing that goal.
Quote me on that!
Especially if you haven’t written or made art in awhile, creating a spectacular finished piece in a few days, or even a few weeks, maybe even MONTHS, is simply… unrealistic.
Accept that you’re not going to sit down and suddenly create something that pleases you, even if you wrote the best chapter of your life yesterday.
Explore The Bad Writing + The Good
I’ve always loved the writing equivalent to doodling in your sketchbook — wroodling? — because jotted notes and thoughts can be source material for our greatest works.
I think so many writers are focused on the completion of that large work, we can forget the benefit of indulging in the fleeting sparkles of ideas that pass us by every day.
Not only that, by allowing yourself to accept your bad writing, you will gain a clearer perspective on your good writing.
Be completely okay with whatever you make, knowing it’s leading you towards that next great piece.
Great Writing Requires Both Input (Self Care) And Output (Productivity)
It’s common advice that writers should read, but there is so much more you can do to generate creativity within yourself than doing your due diligence at the library (as you should.)
Here are some less common ideas to get your gears turning when writing feels hard, difficult, or unexciting.
◆ Observe people in a public place
◆ Listen to mood playlists
◆ Try mindfulness practices, like describing an object
◆ Doodle freely while brainstorming
◆ Use restrictive prompts
◆ Research names and cultures
◆ Rearrange your bookshelf
◆ Brainstorm a retelling of a favorite story
◆ Dig through old writing and retry an abandoned idea
◆ Join a writing group/discord
Filling your well can take many forms. The only hard-ish advice I have for this is to avoid mainstream television as your main inspiration.
Knowing what generates your inspiration is an essential aspect of your writing practice!
Some examples of things that have filled my well recently are my pet-sitting jobs again, free conversations about social subjects amongst friends, and making friends with some highly motivated writers that have rubbed off on me.
Get Some Honest (But Kind + Gentle) Feedback
While diving into the next project may feel like the best way to grow as a writer, writing might feel difficult for you right now because you haven’t been getting enough feedback.
When writing feels hard, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and discouraged, but quality feedback can be one of the greatest writing motivators.
Pull out an old chapter or short story and share it with a writerly friend you trust. Make it clear you’re looking for creative encouragement rather than to be torn apart right off the bat.
These next two points are very important:
DON’T post your writing for the vultures on Reddit, or on big socials where it’s likely to be ignored.
When your trusted reader returns with their feedback, make sure to thank them and see what sparks of inspiration their comments give you.
Maybe they fell in love with a side character you never thought twice about. Do they deserve a spin off? Now you probably have an idea for a flash fic. And you’re off! Yes! Write!!!
Quality critique is essential for inspiration. While many fear the dreaded negative feedback, it’s important to remember that we’re all in this together, and learning to accept feedback is going to make you an amazing writer.
When You’re Struggling To Write, It’s Time To Find Your Love For Storytelling Again
It is easy to get discouraged from doing even the things we love most when health, work, or life gets in the way. Heck, even the day-to-day is a struggle for many of us. Anyone have an extra spoon?
Never forget why you started telling stories in the first place: because you love them!
I want you to know those who love writing but struggle to write, you are seen and heard here, I promise, thousands of words are on your horizon.
Real Talk: Sometimes Writing Feels So Hard, We Want To Give Up
A little while ago, I had a dreadful moment where I wanted to give up. On writing, on art, on everything that I put so much energy into every day. I immediately called my therapist to make an appointment to talk about it.
These moments are going to happen and they’re going to be scary.
This desire to give up is not something I see spoken about in the writing community very often, but it should be addressed from time to time.
Just because you FEEL like giving up doesn’t mean you have to, and I can almost guarantee the feeling won’t last forever.
Never Stop Fighting For Your Writing
I ask you this: What good reason is there to give up?
If you’re unhappy with where your writing life is taking you and finding it difficult to write, it is probably time to recalibrate and reframe your writing practice.
Our lives make it extremely hard to maintain a creative writing practice. By being more accepting of this we open the doors to inspiration. If you keep your well full and stay open to high-quality feedback from trusted fellow writers and editors, your mind will naturally begin generating ideas. You WILL find it easier to write.
Now that you’ve got these new ideas to work with, I hope you’ll return to dig even deeper into uprooting writer’s block, maintaining your writing practice, and how to buffer your life so writing is top priority.
If you know a writer friend who is struggling with writing, please don’t hesitate to share this article with them!
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If you’re an ND, erotic/subversive or just generally odd writer struggling to find community, sign up for Common Ink to become part of a no-shame, no-judgement, environment that encourages writing.
If this article wasn’t enough and you need some one-on-one to get going on your writing again, check out my website for more about my Developmental Editing services.
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See you there! Borahae, much love, 好き, be well!
-Ari