Why Can't I Start Writing?

I have gone a month without writing anything substantial. A couple poems here and there. 

Why is something that is SO INTEGRAL to who I am something that is also SO HARD to do? This goes for anything, really. No matter what your craft is, finding that magical routine that gets you creating is a difficult process.

Some people fall into it naturally. 

I don’t like them. 

Some writers say they wake up with words pouring out of their head. I don’t really like them either. 

I know that’s petty, but all it does is make me wonder, “What’s wrong with me?!” Does this make me a bad writer? Does it unmake me as a writer? 

The answer: Only if I let it unmake me.

Finding the routine that works for you takes time. And there isn’t just one “magical routine” that all writers should follow except that of WRITE.

The culprit is spending too much time thinking about it. Or trying to create the perfect day for writing. 

My ideal writing scenario is going to the library because it removes me from an environment that holds a hundred distractions. But it’s not always realistic to drive to another location. That’s why it’s important to create a small space in your home that’s easy to get to. 

Many writers will tell you what you need to do to become a great writer, but the truth is that everyone has their own way of getting their butt in the chair. Some listen to music, some put earbuds in their ears. Some drink alcohol, some jog 10 miles a day. Some write at home, some rent a hotel room every day just for writing. Some spit out 200 pages before breakfast while others (like me) spend 2 hours overthinking before finally getting their fingertips on the keyboard. (Read James Clear's article on writing routines of famous authors)

It honestly doesn’t matter! And you won’t know what works for you until you try a bunch of things that DON’T WORK. 

I think starting your day out writing is a great way to start. Simply because you’re doing the most important thing first. Then you can relax into your day and get distracted without feeling guilty. But, hey, you might be a night owl! So write at night. 

There is no right way, there’s just making yourself write. 

Perfectionists, this next part is for you: Do not give yourself the time to OVERTHINK. 

This will always eat into perfectly good writing time. Overthinking has become my worst enemy. It is a TIME THIEF. Do not feed it.

Take Action: 

1. Write a list of what distracts you during the day. Now go to your writing space. Are there distractions near or in your space? Eliminate what you can.

2. Now write a list of your daily obligations. They might be on a schedule or they might be flexible. If they’re on a schedule then look at your earliest one. Can you schedule 1 hour of writing before this obligation? Do it and see how it works for you. And, remember, this is a process. Don’t waste your time on feeling guilty for not writing enough or not doing it the “right way.”