6 Ways to Keep on Writing

By Michael W. Roberts

There are days when the writing muse holds an author's hand and directs her to create wonderful masterpieces. The writer is simply brimming with ideas, and she can't wait to sit at her computer and put those golden thoughts to pixels before the ideas fly off into the ether.

Then there are the dreaded other days when nothing comes to mind. The writer looks at a blank computer screen and can think only about the laundry to be folded or the obscure b-movie that could be viewed on Netflix.

Those are the hard days. If a writer allows herself too many of those days in a row, she will find herself questioning her resolve and her ability to write.

Here are some ways to break through those writing slumps.

1. Set a Minimum Word Count

Setting a word count is really just a game that writers play to produce something every time they sit down. Whether a writer chooses to set a ridiculously low word count to feel a sense of accomplishment each day or a high word count to have a goal worth aspiring to, the effect is still the same. The goal is to get the writer to move past the idea phase and into typing. Much of that typing may have to be edited out later, but writers may be surprised at the high quality of their work once they stop over-thinking every single word.

2. Outline More

Sometimes, a writer has to put down the mechanics of writing the story (dialogue, setting, etc.) in order to think about the bigger picture. Are characters progressing the way they should? Are plotlines keeping the reader engaged?

Some writers swear by outlines (especially screenwriters), while others view them as the ultimate death to creativity and "natural" writing. The point is not to insist in their inherent value or evil but to keep the practice as another tool in the toolbox. Not every story will need a rigid structure. On the other hand, some stories may never see the light of day without a clear roadmap.

3. Write Some Rubbish

Writers can become paralyzed by apprehension over writing crucial scenes. It could be the climax of the story or the necessary details in the middle of the book, but every writer needs to give herself permission to just write anything to fill the space. That filler content may be absolutely horrendous, but it is certainly a start.

Some say that the real writing begins in the editing phase. In any case, the story truly finds its focus and precise story beats after the first draft is just a distant memory. Rather than allowing a section of the book to hold a writer back, she should just charge through with the knowledge that she can always fix it later.

4. Skip Ahead

If a writer cannot find her way through the difficult scene, then she should jump ahead in the story to the parts that are the most intriguing. Sure, she will need to come back to finish up the gaps, but the energy generated from jumping ahead in the story will not only help the writer continue writing but also help generate new ideas.

5. Get a Writing Partner / Community

Many writers like to create in isolation, but the value of a strong writing community cannot be overstated. Whether writers simply encourage one another to keep on or they take the time to critique one another's work, communities are a constant reminder that stories are meant to be read by an audience. The tale is not meant to reside on a writer's laptop forever. It needs to be read, and writing communities are safe havens to begin that sometimes difficult process.

6. Take a Day Off (Just One)

Writers need breaks. While it can be easy to allow oneself too much time away from the discipline of writing, constantly plodding ahead can be even more damaging. A lifeless pursuit of the goal of a finished story will produce uninteresting work that will discourage the writer.

By taking a day off, writers can find the energy and sense of perspective needed to enjoy storytelling once more.

At the end of the day, storytelling truly is meant to be an enjoyable pursuit. •

© 2012 Michael W. Roberts. All rights reserved.

Updated 1/5/14