What To Do When You Have Said It All
Posted on 01 December 2008 by Sharon
A change of scene can help refresh your ideas
This happens to every writer from time to time. You get to a point where you are not sure you have anything left to say. It may be halfway through a batch of 100 keyword articles, in the middle of an ebook or after a year of blogging. But since writing is your business, you need to find a way to keep on going. So what do you do?
Sometimes all you need is a change of scene. This can be physical, like moving from one room to another or getting out of the house for a while. It can also be mental, which might mean changing to a different writing job while your mind refreshes itself. At other times, this might be a sign of burnout, and you might need to take a longer break.
That’s all very well, I hear you say, but what about deadlines? It’s true that with clients relying on you, you can’t just take a break anytime to writing muse isn’t cooperating. Somehow you need to keep on writing so that you can bring in that all important paycheck.
That’s when your discipline as a writer pays off. I find that even if I am mentally tired, I am able to write a competent piece that will keep my client happy. That’s because I write practically every day, for several hours a day. Once that’s done, I can take some time off. How do you deal with mental fatigue as a writer?
Photo: jpkwitter
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December 1st, 2008 at 4:29 pm
I had that problem last week and I twittered that I was stuck and needed 400 more words for an 1100 article. One tweet gave me inspiration with a few ideas that got me through the rest. It was wonderful.
I find that stumbling with Stumbleupon for a few minutes can give me a good brain break or looking in a different search engine for some research / inspiration can also help.
Washing dishes often helps me and sometimes you just need to either have a big piece of chocolate or tickle your kids.
Dana - The Writer’s Blog’s last blog post..A Freelance Writer’s First Experience With Elance
December 1st, 2008 at 5:10 pm
I try to meditate.
I also find that lack of funds is a great source of motivation to generate new ideas!
December 1st, 2008 at 5:15 pm
Sometimes, like you said, you just have to take a break and walk away. A warning sign for me is that I can no longer concentrate or the writing feels forced so I step away for a bit. When I do that, once I return I am able to continue writing with no problem.
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December 3rd, 2008 at 12:21 pm
If taking a walk or going shopping for an hour or so doesn’t inspire me, then I write in my journal. This introspection, though it might sound cheesy, forces me to write at least a few paragraphs every day. I might not have something to discuss with my journal, but it forces me to change perspective for 30 minutes or so.
Strangely enough, I get my greatest ideas in the shower! Something about the relaxatiion of the hot water and scrubbing works every time.
Lisa T.’s last blog post..She walks in beauty
December 3rd, 2008 at 1:02 pm
I agree that discipline as a writer pays off when you hit the occasional dry spell or writer’s block. When I hit one of those walls, I like to shift gears completely–do some housework, work on a hobby, play my guitar, go outside, go for a drive–anything to break the intense focus that seems to have my brain locked up. Often I find that the elusive idea comes to me when I’m thinking about (or doing) something else.
Thanks for your article!
Doug Heacock’s last blog post..A baker’s dozen great freelancer’s resources
December 8th, 2008 at 10:14 am
I think it’s not only for the writers but every one are pushed down to fatigue in their job at few situations for few moments..,
But I myself when got held with stagnant, I perform thinks which comforts and cools me for a while and continue my work.., and the gap I relaxed make me even more fresh and active.
December 17th, 2008 at 9:49 pm
Getting out of my office with pen and paper in hand helps a lot. It is common for me to quickly draft an article or two by hand that I’d been laboring over for hours on the computer.
I get lots of ideas while I’m trying to drift off to sleep at night. I now keep a pen and pad and an audio recorder on my nightstand each night.
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December 18th, 2008 at 10:26 pm
Roxanne, that is an important idea about keeping pen and paper and a recorder by your nightstand. Sometimes a dream can inspire you with a new angle, even in nonfiction.
Thanks for sharing!
Lisa T.’s last blog post..Arguing about who is dumbest is really dumb
December 30th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
Sharon,
Thanks for presenting these practical steps the writer can take to stay refreshed, rested, and sharp! Thanks, too, for pointing out the importance of discipline, a critical part of the equation for the professional writer, who must come through even when many of the factors that make writing so enjoyable are lacking.
I’ve written a similar piece on finding the motivation to write (which I’ve chosen as my best post of 2008 for Joanna Young’s “Simply The Best” group writing project). In this post, I share that “…the ability to write when we don’t feel like it…is what separates the professional from the amateur.”
That isn’t to say, of course, that this will always be our most inspired writing but, rather, that this professional mindset will enable us to come through with a competent piece of writing when it counts (as you’ve said in your discussion of discipline). My piece also explores some great methods for generating the interest, enthusiasm, and inspiration that make our writing come alive.
Admittedly, writing when we’re feeling “all tapped out” can be difficult. Yet, there are numerous helpful techniques that we can use to get ourselves back on track, remotivating ourselves to begin happily producing again. Thanks for sharing several of those techniques here! I’m sure they’ll prove helpful to many!
Thoroughly enjoyed this post!
Jeanne