Recently, for the first time in the two years since I’ve started writing in 2018, I’ve experienced writer’s block. The story ideas were there—loads and loads of them, but I procrastinated, doing everything I could not to finish my WIP. It was frustrating and scary, I must admit. I couldn’t figure out what was wrong and had to do a lot of soul-searching.
Now one thing indie authors can do is put pressure on
ourselves. That’s what I did. I pushed myself so hard that I forgot about the
joy of writing, of telling stories I enjoy writing and focused too much on the
end product.
I’ve taken a step back, got all the other stuff out of the
way so when the muse made her return, I could just concentrate on writing
again. I used the time to do other stuff—spend time with family and friends,
take photos again, draw, read, and do other fun stuff. Instead of concentrating on that one book I wanted to
publish, I read through my other manuscripts, adding a scene or two when it
came to me, but leaving that frustrating WIP alone. Those characters didn’t
want to talk to me.
So how did I get past my writer’s block?
One Saturday morning I set off to the food market not too
far from our home. I got there early, while the stall owners were still setting
up. Luckily the coffee lady was ready. I got a cup of coffee and with a
notebook and pen, I sit at a bench and wrote. And I wrote! I used the
five senses to describe everything around me. When I transcribed it the next
day, I had more than two thousand words.
Did it help? Yes. Not with the WIP I had been struggling
with but I wrote scenes I can use in other books – I already have two
storylines! It also proved to me I can still write. All I need to do is step
back and enjoy it.
Thankfully, I’ve finished the first draft of the bothering
WIP and also completed scenes for the next book. And apart from the two market
ideas, I also got a brand new idea and can’t wait to start. (Okay, I had. I’ve
written 4000 words already!).
So, next time you struggle with writer ’s block, don’t fret.
Put that project away. Do something else. Take yourself out of your comfort
zone. Sometimes all you need is a change of scenery.
