Getting Out of the Writing Doldrums

 

Ever feel stuck in a writing rut? Do you feel like you're doing the same old, same old and not moving forward, or upward? Do you do anything about it, or do you continue to stay where you are and feel the same defeated feeeling? Deep in the doldrums.

Today's poster has some good advice. It says:  If you change nothing, nothing will change. Seven common words that could help you out of your writing rut. 

What if you feel like you are writing the same story (or essay or poem etc) over and over but in a slightly different way? You need something to spark your imagination, something to inspire you to do it a new and different way. What to do? 

You could read a new reference book on writing to see if you run across something new, or a new way to do something old.

You might attend a writers' conference or workshop.I find that nothing inspires me like listening to other writers present a topic. I also find inspiration in visiting with the other attendees at a conference. This past weekend my state writing group had their annual convention. For various reasons, I opted to watch on zoom instead of attending in a town 90 miles away. I got the benefit of listening to the people who presented the topics, but I sorely missed talking with longtime writer friends in person. 

You could take a short break from writing. Note that I said 'short.' Make it a lengthy break, and you might find it hard to get started again. 

You might do some things that help with story ideas and help you become inspired. Circus in town? Take some time and go there. A movie you've been wanting to see but hadn't taken time? Go now. A baseball game. A football game. A soccer match. A symphony performance. Give yourself a treat. 

You can make a list of the reasons you write. Reminding yourself of why you write can give you a boost.

You should take a good look at your submission process. Do you tend to send your work to the same publications over and over? Maybe searching the market lisitngs for new publications would be helpful. 

Try several small and positive steps. Work on your attitude. That won't happen overnight, but little by little. When you find yourself flinging out a negative thought, step back and rework it to the opposite side.

 

There is no one miraculous thing you can do to get yourself out of the writing doldrums. To step by step. At the end of each week, look back to see if you've made any progress in the way you feel. If you do, pat yourself on the back. If not, keep plowing ahead the following week. Do I dare use that old cliche--Rome wasn't built in a day? I just did because it still has some merit. And so do you. You're a writer. You do something many other people cannot.