Pep Talk: Writing Stall

Confession Time: I haven't written since NaNoWriMo. Yep, the last time I wrote was about two months ago. So this pep talk is going to be myself trying to convince myself to write again.

I'm assuming you're in the same boat as I am. And honestly, there are so many different reasons why people stop writing. The first thing I would encourage you to do is evaluate why.

Okay, this shouldn't be hard. Right now, I am just super busy. And to be honest...I don't really want to write right now. Writing takes a lot out of a person, and sometimes you've got to refill your tank.

Maybe you're stalling because you're dissatisfied with your writing in some way. If you are, you are totally lucky because that's the easiest problem to deal with. If you don't like your writing, then let me tell you that the best way to fix that is to write. And write. And write. It's like math--you can't expect to take a break for a month and then magically come back as an absolute whiz.

One of the big things with me is that I rarely write what I want to. There is something so refreshing about just sitting down and writing something just for you. No one else sees it. No one else criticizes it, and you don't have to worry about making someone else happy about it. It's just what you want in your book. If you haven't done that in a while, I suggest you do it. Make something crazy...or sad...or a fairy tale...whatever you want.

Okay, I know I'm scrambling the order a bit, but let's jump back up to reason number one. What if you just need to refill your tank?

When you spread yourself out so much, you begin to demand more and more of your intellect. If you don't refresh yourself eventually, you start scraping the bottom. If you're finding that with writing (like I am) I suggest you pick up a book that you've read a hundred times before and that you just love. For me, that would be The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien or The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis. Whatever it is, find a book that's a classic to you, and read it. Honestly, that it one of the best ways to refill the writing tank. Go back and feel all those feelings, see all those mental pictures, maybe feel like you're ten years old again, and then see if your tanks are full.

Unfortunately, until I get out of my own writing slump, that's the best advice I have to offer on writing. However, as soon as I have something else I guarantee that I'll share it with you!

Yours without wax,

Izori