I’ve always been a big believer in writing regularly. Good habits are hard to make, and keeping a regular writing schedule helps an author in the long run.
However, as the years have passed, I’ve veered away from the Write Every Day! camp towards the idea of Think Every Day.
Writing the story down is only a tiny fraction of the actual act of creating a book.
When most writers hit a stage they call Writers Block they’re trying to describe a situation where they can’t find the right words for what comes next. Some people try to write around this. They’ll put down anything, because it’s true you can’t edit a blank page. But the best solution is to walk away.
Put the book down. Push the keyboard away. Walk away.
Don’t even think about the book.
Watch a TV show.
Read something.
Hit the club or go out to dinner with friends.
Ignore the book.
Because what’s really happening during Writer’s Block is that your brain is saying isn’t working.
Maybe it’s you. Maybe you’ve been pushing too hard, are feeling sick, or are depressed. Maybe your brain needs some water and ten hours of sleep instead of another futile and fruitless night trying to figure out the scene. If that’s the case no amount of forcing yourself to stay awake will help.
Walk away. Get some food. Drink some water. Practice self-care in any way that means for you. Relax. Taking care of the author is part of writing the book too. This is part of writing. It’s the part where you think about yourself.
Maybe it’s the scene. Maybe the dynamics are off, or it’s from the wrong POV, or the conflict is wrong. Maybe you need to introduce higher stakes, cut a subplot, or add a cat. Who knows? Certainly not the blank screen in front of you.
Walk away. Go play. Have fun. Let your hind brain sort through it. Read some of your old favorite books. Watch a few movies. Go people watch until something clicks. This is part of writing. It’s the part where you let your brain think without expectations.
Maybe it’s the premise. Maybe this isn’t the right book for you to write right now. Maybe this is a story you aren’t ready to tell, or feel you shouldn’t tell. Maybe the passions and fire has gone out of your relationship with this books. Maybe it’s time to say goodbye.
Walk away. Give yourself some breathing space. Write something else. Plot out that one story idea you’ve been flirting with for awhile. Make a list of things you love about writing. This is part of writing. It’s the part where you think about what you really want.
Thinking is part of the writing process.
Learning is part of the writing process.
Resting is part of the writing process.
If your schedule is all words every day with no time for the other steps, you’re going to burn out before you can finish the work you want to do. Worse, that book is going to leave you miserable, written or not. Learn to step away from the manuscript, take a break, and invest in yourself. You’ll be a better, happier, healthier writer in the long run.