It's been 108 days since I last wrote a single word, let alone a paragraph. Outward circumstances (i.e. political changes and worries etc) drove me into a tailspin from which my writing brain can't seem to recover. I am viciously blocked. But this isn't a question about writer's block - but rather on the perniciousness and inescapability of the feeling of inadequacy that comes with it. (1/2)
(2/2) For me writerās block always causes persistent thoughts that Iām not good enough. I have great ideas but Iām not a good enough writer to see them through. I suck, why do I even try? So how do I overcome it? If I try to sit down to write, it overwrites everything- every thought, every scene. Itās bigger and overwhelming; itās demotivating and draining. Are there ideas you have, or strategies some of you follow to trick or adjust oneās brain, to learn to not listen to oneās own negativity?
Hey there! Let me just say, I understand. I completely, totally, one hundred and ten percent understand. Writing is hard. Sometimes impossible. That being said, here are a few ways Iāve learned to combat my self-esteem issues:
1. Start by setting the bar really low.
In the past, Iāve made New Yearās resolutions like āwrite 500 words a dayā or āwrite 1 story a week,ā and every time I have failed. But I didnāt fail because I couldnāt write; I failed because my goals were too constricting. Iād miss one day and suddenly those 500 words would become one thousand, two thousand, 10k, and eventually Iād just give up.Ā
This year, I decided to write every day. Thatās it. Thatās my entire resolution. Not, āIām going to write 500 wordsā or āIām going to write a perfect paragraph,ā or even āIām going to write something good.ā All I said was, āIām going to write every day.ā What counts as writing? Anything. It could be a letter, an essay, a rough draft of a poem ā hell, Iāve even counted grocery lists.
Having goals is important, but if youāre struggling as hard as I think you are, your biggest goal is to get something -- anything -- onto the page.
2. Figure out what helps.
I do a lot of my writing by hand (it gets me out of my head and helps block out some of the voices), and because of this, Iāve gotten really picky about my utensils: college-ruled notebook paper, black Pilot G-2 07 pens, a specific brand of journal. Sometimes I feel a little ridiculous for being so anal about paper and pens, but then I remind myself that writing is hard, so if I find something that makes the process easier, why should I feel guilty?Ā
Other rituals that might help: cleaning your room or showering before you start, lighting a candle, making a cup of tea, exercising ā anything that relaxes you and helps your brain let go of its anxiety.Ā
3. Find a form that you love.
Another way to think of this is, what do you consider your guilty pleasure writing? For me, itās letters ā Iām addicted, I have at least a dozen penpals, and I spend a ton of money on stamps. A couple months ago, I tried to convince myself to give it up because letters seemed like a waste of time (read: unpublishable).Ā
No writing is a waste of time.
Write what you want to write. Chances are, if youāre in love with a certain form, thereās a reason for it. And yes, this applies to fanfiction, too. You never know what doors will open.Ā
This one is simple. What goes in comes out, so make sure the words you put into your brain are good ones. Read the stuff you love, but also read outside your comfort zone. Donāt read just fanfiction or just romance novels or just classics. Try different genres -- nonfiction can teach you about plot just as well as fiction can, and poetry will show you how to make the most out of the least amount of words.Ā
And you wonāt just absorb good writing; youāll also distract your brain from its writing troubles and give yourself a break in the process.
Online friendships are great, Iām not knocking them at all, but thereās something about face-to-face contact that you canāt get through the screen. I think itās really important to have at least one āreal-lifeā friend to talk to about your writing.Ā
Iāve been blessed and havenāt had to work to find someone, but if youāre totally stuck and donāt know where to start, other writers have suggested trying writing groups. If youāre not sure how to find one, ask a librarian at your public library or an employee at your local independent bookstore. Or, if youāre an introvert like me and the thought of talking to strangers makes you break out in hives, try googlingĀ āwriting groups in [your city]ā and see what comes up.
6. Reread your old writing.
This serves two purposes: one, it will prove that you have written in the past (and therefore can do it again); and two, itās a way to celebrate what youāve done.Ā
7. Remember to give yourself grace.
You have to start somewhere. Anne Lammott calls it theĀ āshitty first draft,ā that moment when you grit your teeth and open the laptop and tackle a piece word by word. It wonāt be perfect, but it will be done.
And eventually, youāre going to get better. I promise. Just -- keep writing. Donāt quit.
