What to Do When You're Not Writing

Have Writer's Block?

I've been writing for a long time. Everything from newspaper articles, to magazine editorials, silly fanfiction--all of those works have contributed to my writing style. Like everything else in life, I find that I can't keep my marathon-writing at full speed.


For someone who likes to keep busy, it's difficult for me to completely let go and not work. Because if I'm not working my normal job, then I'm writing or revising my stories. And yet, we as human beings aren't meant to be constantly working. It takes its toll on us.

But Hanna, you may say, this isn't writing!

Some days we just don't want to write. Some days we can't. Sometimes real life gets in the way and smacks you three months behind schedule. Some days we have to do something different. I've seen a lot of writing blogs tell you to just "WRITE WRITE WRITE," and while that is certainly true not everyone is wired that way. That writing block you may be experiencing can be overwork. You trying to beat your story to a pulp in isolation. Or you physically--or mentally--are simply not able to work. So what do we do to keep up our productivity?

The mind needs to rest every once in a while, and that's ok. My own writing schedule consists of 2-3 weeks of intense creative activity, and then a week or so of rest. For a long time I felt that I wasn't doing enough, that I wasn't getting up early enough to write or wasn't dedicated enough. Then I realized something: that's just the way I am. And if that is how my creative cycle works, then I'll manipulate it to the best of my advantage.

1. Read 

The best way to refresh yourself is to pick up a good book. Take the time you'd normally spend writing or working and take the time to read a book. They can be good books--or terrible books. Of late, I haven't been reading many good books. I have a disobliging habit of deliberately picking up random books for the sake of trying something new. Many times, the books are not good, though I have found great new writers by randomly picking books off the library shelf.

But the very act of reading sparks the imagination. If a book isn't very good, then you can reassure yourself that you're a much better writer.

If you find that reading books about writing inspire you, here are my suggestions:
 **The book links referenced in this section uses Amazon Affiliate Links. By clicking on these links you help this blog make monies**

On Writing by Stephen King

One of the best--and inspiring--books about forging your writing career. 


Art of Dramatic Writing by Lajos Egri



Although this book focuses on playwriting, the same rules apply to writing novels.

How Not to Write a Novel: 200 Classic Mistakes and How to Avoid Them--A Misstep-by-Misstep Guide

A silly book about classic mistakes in first drafts--or bad stories in general. Featuring everyone's favorite teenage vampires. 

2. Go Outside 

This can be combined with reading. Nowadays we're expected to connect online, and when we build our online presence this combined with work can lead to Internet burnout. One of my favorite places to go is my family's cabins in the Rocky Mountains. Internet is limited. Wildlife is abundant. Every trip up there seems to bring about some kind of disaster that we somehow survive. Quite a trip. All fodder for fiction.

So rustic. So deadly.

Inspiration comes from everywhere. You can't be an isolated writer, and as an epic fantasy writer you can't be online all the time. I can write, and write, and write, but know that what I write isn't good enough. I need to feel the chill of the air. Feel the mud squish underneath my shoes. Breathe heavily as the thin mountain air gets to me. For me, writing fantasy is about the wonder of the natural world. Go outside and experience the world.

3. Do Something Different 

Try something new during your off time.You don't know where your inspiration will come from. For me, writing does not occur in isolation. Spending all of my time writing doesn't do me any good. In fact, much of my writing wouldn't have occurred if I haven't had the experience I had. Jury duty? Bam! Able to write that trial scene. Week in the mountains? Bam! Nailed that setting down for this story. Character a winemaker? Go interview one!

Or, in my case: just grow the darn things

In my opinion, writing comes alive through experience. Volunteer at a local organization. Talk to new people. Unless you keep growing as a person, then you won't be able to grow as a writer.

4. Allow your beta readers to take over 

Sometimes all you need is a fresh look at things. After a certain point you can't make your story any better until someone else has looked it over. While you are reading or doing something else, have your beta readers look at your work. I find it refreshing to talk to my beta readers after they send in their comments, as their perspective invigorates me.

Sometimes you have to accept that you cannot write the whole thing without outside comments. You're not Superman. When you have done the best you can, allow readers to give you a new perspective. They'll notice things you didn't expect them to, like unexpected theories. I find this tactic excellent when in the middle of a revision funk.

When writing fanfiction I had instant gratification: at one point I'd post at midnight and have over 40 comments the next morning. But that was just fanfiction and not the real deal. But a lesson I have taken away from it is: reader comments are inspiring. Even if they are negative, they are reacting to your work and, sometimes, that's all it takes to get back in the game.

5. Work on another project

I tend to work on 2-3 projects at once. When I am creatively exhausted with one, I work on another. These projects come in the form of not only books I'm working on, but also comics. I use the time to work on my artwork, or another story entirely.

Changing genres, if that's something you do, can also be helpful. I find that if you allow some stories to rest for a bit then you'll be able see things you weren't able to before.  

Final Thoughts

All of these suggestions are guidelines. There is no one way to write. For me, if I'm creatively exhausted, and I am not writing well, then the most efficient use of my time is to either spend time doing something else or reading. Some writers can keep writing and other writers need time to think ideas through.

But never stop writing. Don't allow your exhaustion to go on forever, because then you will never finish your story.