How To Make Writing Fun Again

Remove the pressure and write with a smile

“Under pressure. Pushing down on me.”

Since deciding to become a writer, I have felt enormous pressure to write continually. To become a viral sensation. To have editors around the world, email me requesting submissions. But why? Why do I, why do we, put so much pressure on ourselves to write?

The constant flow of articles from writers listing their success and the secret sauce that leads to success, reinforces this. Spoiler alert — there is no secret sauce. And there shouldn’t be so much pressure.

I dance like nobody is watching. And that’s because they aren’t. Who wants to see a middle-aged white man, with no discernible coordination dance?

I sing like nobody is listening. And that’s because they leave the room very quickly when I start to sing. It is harder for my kids to escape when I sing in the car — but they try.

And when I have pressure pushing down on me, I seem to write like nobody is reading. And the self-fulfilling prophecy comes true. No one reads my work.

I would try positive affirmations. “You’re a good writer. You’re an excellent writer. Is that another grey hair? Man you look old…I mean, you’re an excellent writer.”

Positively affirmed, I would get to the business of writing. And writing is my business. A tiny, unsustainable business. But a business nonetheless.

I would stop after just one minute for a coffee break. Even the best writers stop for coffee breaks. But for me, it was just an excuse to stop writing.

Coffee in hand, I would scroll the one thousand, four hundred and fifteen new stories about how to succeed at writing. This would increase the pressure.

I would obsess over such articles. Very few of them would talk about the stress that writers place themselves under. About the obsessions on statistics — statistics that I felt were laughing and mocking me daily — causing me doubt.

I couldn’t continue writing under such pressure, like a content mill worker, trying to produce articles on the hour. It doesn’t lead to quality writing. And there is no enjoyment.

I knew I needed to change my strategy radically. To remove the significant weight resting on my shoulders. Flick the devil, who had been whispering constant criticism in my ear, to the floor and reset my focus.

Go back to why I initially started writing — the joy of writing. I would write purely for myself. I would write to be happy. And I would write with a smile on my face.

Avoid anhedonia

Here is a word you may not know. Anhedonia is the inability to feel pleasure in normally pleasurable activities. That was the feeling I had when I forced myself to write. It was no longer my passion — it was a burden.

And when writing became a chore, my work suffered. I needed to look forward to writing, like I did, before it became a full-time job.

So I focused on several fundamental changes to my writing process, which has helped me regain my desire to write. I would encourage any writer, suffering from anhedonia to try at least a few of the tips below.

1. Write with a smile.

Having positive thoughts can give people more energy and help fight sickness. Saying positive affirmations around self-belief can help reduce stress and create a positive cycle.

Research by the American Psychological Association showed that happier people were more successful. It wasn’t the success that made them happy; it was their happiness that led to success. A positive mindset increased productivity and helped build resilience in overcoming challenges.

I started with a few positive affirmations, but it was a half-hearted effort. Now I say them with enthusiasm, and I say them with a smile. I was tricking my brain and writing from a better place. As I write, I smile. As I type this, I have a grin as wide as a Cheshire cat.

2. Make writing fun again.

Much of my writing was chasing profit. And so, I would write about topics that were the most popular. But they were not the most fun for me to write about.

So, I decided to mix it up. I need to write some articles that could bring in dollars. But I would allow myself time to write on things that I enjoyed. Comedy is my background, and I love writing to make the reader laugh. Every week I would dedicate some time to focus on comedy.

I would mix in some creative pieces, that in all likelihood, would appeal to few — but I loved writing them.

Writing for fun became infectious, and it leads to more fun on the business pieces, the corporate writing, the website content.

3. Set new goals

I fell into the Money Trap. I need to earn $X by the end of the month. And $5X by the end of three months. I need 1000 followers. I need. I need.

These were arbitrary goals that I didn’t need. I’m ambitious and like goal setting, but this was removing all the fun. Not all goals needed to be financial. Or numerical.

I set goals around enjoyment. I want to enjoy each day.

I want to make people smile when they read my work.

I want to be excited about writing.

I want to be motivated.

I moved my needs to wants and focused less on raw numbers.

I also focused more on reading and engagement. Reading more would help my writing but also stimulate me. Provide motivation.

4. Become entrenched in the writing community

There is a significant writing community, and I wanted to connect with them. I focused on commenting on others. On joining forums. Writers group on Slack.

Speaking about writing, sharing ideas, hearing from others of their challenges and successes — this was what I loved. I started a Comedy course through Second City, and the feedback and discussions spurred me on. It's the first thing I check now in the morning — what have my classmates, my fellow writers, written today. What feedback can I learn from?

I followed as many writers as possible on Twitter — not only to see their articles but also what they were discussing about life.

I felt at home amongst my literary brethren. There were great discussions — about writing, life, politics, culture. My Slack writing group has writers from Australia, New Zealand, the UK, India, Canada, the USA and El Salvador. Joe Donan was the first person I ever met from El Salvador, and I am learning about that country and culture.

Writing had opened doors to the world. The discussions on channels like Slack are now an enjoyable part of my day and are part of my writing joy.

In my opinion, you aren't a writer if you aren't part of the writing community.

5. Help new writers

My new, renewed passion inspired me to help newer writers. I approached the editor of a Medium publication and asked if I could be involved.

I was added as an editor, and now I can give back and assist new and emerging writers on their journey. Work with them on stories and provide feedback. I am not an expert, but I can be another source of advice for them.

I have renewed my enthusiasm. Writing with joy and with a smile on my face has made me a better writer. More importantly, it has made me look forward to writing each day. My job is once again, my passion.