It’s inevitable, really.
You get your writing routine down. You’re writing strong for days, weeks, months. Then something happens.
You take a day off. Then two. And before you know it, you’re cringing every time you see your keyboard or your dusty pen. And you find yourself unsure how to break back into your WIP.
That’s when the self-destructive questions start. Do I have what it takes anymore? What if I forgot everything about writing since the last time I wrote?
Don’t worry. You’ve still got it! You just need a little psychological trick to access your writer self again.
Because, seriously, you’re not the only person in the world to take a writing break. Wether you write fiction, technical manuals, or blog posts everyone needs a break. Because even if you’ve got your writing routine down pat, you’re going to want a vacation once in awhile.
So of course there’s a way back in.
And how exactly do you get back into writing after the lapse?
That’s what a reader asked me recently. She found herself at the end of a long summer, without a single word written.
This is what I told her.
Reader Question: How Do I Get Back into Writing after a Long Break?
Hey Writer,
This is a great question and something every writer deals with.
My tip to overcome a writing hiatus that makes you feel stuck is to write a journal entry.
Talk about anything at all. Write about a writing tip you heard recently and in what way you plan to use it in your story. Write about the room you’re sitting in. What it looks and smells and sounds like. Write about the writing skills you’re practicing now. Or how frustrating writers block can be.
Still struggling? Write the same word over an over again like author, Maya Angelou does.
What I try to do is write. I may write for two weeks ‘the cat sat on the mat, that is that, not a rat,’…. And it might be just the most boring and awful stuff. But I try. When I’m writing, I write. And then it’s as if the muse is convinced that I’m serious and says, ‘Okay. Okay. I’ll come. – Maya Angelou
It won’t be long before you’re mind feels limbered up again and you start to feel that old excitement. If it takes longer than you thought it would and you start to worry that this will never pass, take a break. Then write another journal entry the next day. Eventually it will come back to you.
And like author, Louis L’amour said:
Start writing, no matter what. The water doesn’t flow until the faucet is turned on.
Even if the writing sucks.
Try this out. Because when you overcome the hiatus-induced block this time, you’ll know for the rest of your life that you have what it takes to keep writing.
All the best,
Mandy
Did this tip get you writing? Do you have other tips for writers who need to break back in after a long break? Share your insights in the comments.
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There’s something so simple and comforting about this. I know it works, I’ve used this approach myself. But, sometimes, it’s necessary to be reminded, particularly if you’re panicking and not able to think clearly. That’s what I love about writing, it can be calming, reassuring and can lead to a state of mind where curiosity, imagination and creativity slowly emerge. Writing to get back to writing. I love it.
Maybe we just overcomplicate writing in the first place, Steve. Too much pressure makes it hard to start.
Thank you, this really helped me.
So glad to hear it, Christina.
I have used both methods described and recently overcame yet another writer break by going back to an exercise book called “The 3 a.m. Epiphany”. I write in my journal each morning, so that isn’t sufficient any more to kickstart my routine. The exercises serve two purposes. They get me writing and they force me focus on honing craft. I often find myself in the middle of an exercise thinking about the current project and wanting to get back to it. Mission accomplished!
Nice, Patty! I’m glad you found something that gets you writing.
I use Roberta Allen’s How to Play With Serious Writing. It has some wonderful ways to oil my rusty brain and get me going again.
Very helpful, Becky. Thanks!
There were some excellent tips. I’ve had writers block for many years but even so, these tips work for one day away or many as you’ve said. Thank you. Your post got to me at the right time, or should I say the, write time? lol
Happy it helped out!
I just left the above comment and clicked on your link for the character most get wrong, can’t remember the exact title. But when I entered my email, and I checked it twice, the form gave me an error message. Something about wrong format or something. So I thought I’d let you know that there may be a problem with it.
Thanks, I’ll look into it.