I’m participating in this month’s prompt for Insecure Writer’s Support Group. The question was:
When the going gets tough writing the story, how do you keep yourself writing to the end? If have not started the writing yet, why do you think that is and what do you think could help you find your groove and start?
I have to admit I need to find my groove back with writing. I’ve used the excuse of busyness to keep me away, but I kind of hit a wall recently. I’ve had more of a need to distract myself less and find peace in the creative process.
Part of getting back into the groove of writing is simply habit. I find habit is a wonderful thing for writing. I embraced that last year for a time. While the habit faded due to circumstances, knowing I was able to claim it for a while is inspiring.
What also helps is letting myself be at peace. In fact, I ran into an article lately that said how much creativity is benefited by boredom. So maybe my goal should be to get a little bored.
Also, I’m reminded of my semi-recent attempt to hula hoop again. I loved it as a kid and I always thought it was one of those things reserved for youth. Little did I realize you can actually get good at it again. So, just picking up the hula hoop isn’t as impossible as I thought. The same can be said of writing.
What do you do to get your writing groove back?
I’ll try to remember the boredom trick. I’ve found writing for at least 30 minutes four to five days a week helps me stay on track. I hope you get into your groove soon. And glad you joined the discussion this month. I hope you do next month too.
That’s a good approach!
Routine is where writers go to create. Training yourself that butt in chair, hands on keys means time to work, not play on the internet (from personal experience, here!). Pick a time where you’re least likely to be interupted and stake your claim!
Very true!
Good luck with the hoola-hooping. Must be very good for your waist.
Thanks! If only I kept up with it.
Honestly, I kept trying. It was exhausting and sometimes heartbreaking. But it managed to have a breakthrough only a few months ago. It was worth all the work that went into it.
My advice is stay strong. You can do this!
Anna from elements of emaginette
Thank you for the encouragement!
I become so uncomfortable with myself when I don’t write that I have to do it. For me, it’s a compulsion.
You know what to do to bring the habit back and that’s a good thing.
Think I would be awful with a hula-hoop…
Good tips!
Hula hooping ? Nice ..Why didn’t I think of that ? At my high school, we were forbidden to keep it up more than 350 times. Definitely 350. Nobody explained why, Hula crashes in the playground ? Insides spinning, never getting back in place ? Never be able to have kids ?
Hahaha I love your theories! Well, if I ever hula hoop that many times around, I’ll be sure to update you about any side effects, haha.
I went a little crazy with the free author talks and all of it when Zoom hit. I was overwhelmed by FOMO. I suddenly realized I wasn’t writing and made myself go back to being bored. I’m at the keyboard nearly every day now and it feels good.
Oh that is awesome! I need to discipline myself like that.
I agree! I always feel better when I’m keeping up a daily writing habit!
Same!
Hi Nicole!
I agree that a writing habit is the best way to keep moving forward.
Every other year, I attempt a 100-words 100-days challenge. It can be gruelling… not always smooth sailing… but I’ve since completed two of these challenges. The habit of writing consistently is a good habit to develop.
Just hang in there! Keep on writing!
Happy Hoola-Hooping!
That’s a great idea! Those challenges seem like they would help.