11 COMMENTS

Writing Tip #23

The only way to make it as a writer is to learn to write when you least feel like it.

So the next time you don’t feel like writing, view this as an opportunity, not a curse. Here’s a chance to prove you have what it takes. Prove it to yourself. Write anyway.

You can always delete. If you don’t write, there’s nothing you can do with the time you wasted. And nothing you can accomplish by procrastinating is as beneficial as getting words down.

The next time you feel writers’ block coming on, show it you mean business and write your ass off. Pretty soon, it’ll leave you alone.

11 responses to “Writing Tip #23”

  1. RD Meyer Avatar
    RD Meyer

    Very sage advice, Hugh. There are lots of times I just want to either veg out or go to bed, but I force myself to write. You can’t get better by slacking off.

    Reply
  2. Greg Strandberg Avatar
    Greg Strandberg

    Edited my ass off today. Not quite as high as writing in my book, but felt pretty good.

    Reply
  3. D.S. Newman Avatar
    D.S. Newman

    Thanks Hugh. This is exactly what I needed to hear. Just recently uploaded my first book to Kindle and have a short story being edited right now. I want so badly to move on and write, but I’m struggling right now.

    Reply
  4. Karl Fields Avatar
    Karl Fields

    Hugh,

    This reminds of something I learned years ago when I worked in TV news. I had the opportunity to interview hall of fame quarterback Roger Staubach, and one of the things he said was he worked his hardest when the team was playing its worst – watch more film, stay later after practice, etc. You can always quit tomorrow, so why not put in the work today?

    Reply
  5. John Celestri Avatar
    John Celestri

    Good encouragement, Hugh. I don’t write very quickly, but I spend a lot of time at it daily. This comes from my training working as a professional classical 2D pencil-pushing animator. I start every day with writer’s block, staring at a blank page or screen. I don’t wait for inspiration—I chip away at the block. I have to have a point of view I am trying to make with the words I write. With that point I can chip away at the block…and eventually crack it, split it open…and find another block waiting for me. This continues until I reach the end of my story. ;)

    Reply
  6. Marie Moneysmith Avatar
    Marie Moneysmith

    Absolutely 100% agree! If I only wrote when I felt like it, I would have zero books published.

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  7. Chris P. OGrady Avatar
    Chris P. OGrady

    Agreed and excellent advice! Being very new to writing as a profession I try to write daily, but things happen and I get jammed up. Rembering every journey starts with a step really helps. When I look back at my life it seems clear everything worthwhile started this way, one step at a time. Thanks for the reminder!

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  8. Elle Casey Avatar
    Elle Casey

    I agree 100%. If I give in to the not feeling like writing, the task gets bigger, uglier, and more scary. You just have to tackle it.

    Reply
  9. Mike Angel Avatar
    Mike Angel

    If that advice were offered about eating, everyone would be obese. Sorry, but I don’t think it’s valid for me. If it works for you, Bub, then go for it. I’d advise to let it flow naturally. Then force one’s self to edit.

    Reply
  10. Leonard D. Hilley II Avatar
    Leonard D. Hilley II

    Although I didn’t officially sign up for the NaNoWriMo, I did try to keep pace with it this year (even though I teach full-time at college). After several days, I found myself completely back on track to write daily and the passion has intensified. I’ve not stopped, even on bad days. When I don’t feel like it, usually my characters start interacting in my mind, and I need to write while it’s fresh.

    Merry Christmas!

    Reply
  11. Carolyn J. Rose Avatar
    Carolyn J. Rose

    Making myself write is like making myself exercise. Once I break through the resistance – mental and physical – there’s almost always a burst of power, creativity, and enthusiasm that lasts for hours.

    Reply

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