We all have stories to share, but for those who take it one step further and write for publication, it can be a bit of a struggle at times. It can be stressful, even, trying to master a good story, and sometimes, we try really hard, and the words don’t flow as well as we want them to, or our brains are crowded with other stuff that takes away from creativity. 
It can be aggravating, to say the least. Wanting to write but without having inspiration is a challenge. You want the good energy back so you can finish your work in progress.  
As a writer, you get excited and long for the satisfaction of creating. It fills the gap in your heart. Then why is it that when you get those days, you can’t get started?
It happens to all of us at some point. 
Depending on how your week is going can play a big part in the creative process. When life is overwhelming there’s an increase of anxiety knowing there needs to be goals met and words written. 
One way to achieve this is to devote one day a week to your craft. 

​Butt in chair. The first step to getting any writing done is to sit down and write. You can’t write unless you’re devoted. Whatever writing you want to do, tell yourself you’ve got thirty minutes to write and see how it goes. If you don’t know what to write, set a timer for ten minutes and journal. Free-flow writing boosts creativity. There’s no spell check or correcting grammar; it’s just you and your thoughts. 
As hard as it is sometimes, stepping away from your desk and going for a walk helps clear your mind. You may find that while you want to figure out a scene, your mind might wander and think about other things like the weather or think about someone you haven’t spoken to in a while, or what you’re making for dinner. It’s fine. Your brain needs the break and when you come back you may feel refreshed and ready to write. 
Change the POV. If you’re writing fiction, try switching from first person to third. Or write from another character’s point of view. You never know, it can be used for a spinoff story or help you learn more about your character. 
Enter a contest. Maybe you’ve always wanted to write poetry or a children’s story. Make it fun and without pressure. Giving yourself another form of writing can lift you up and give you the break you need to get back to writing your manuscript. 
Add a scene. Put your character in a funny, or unpredictable situation. Giving your mind something else to work on for your character will entertain you and might spark the energy you need to keep writing. 

Write a prologue or epilogue. Not everyone is a fan of a introduction before the story, but it’s a great way to dive into your characters and learn about how the story came to be. It doesn’t mean a prologue has to be used for publication, but it can be used for your own personal benefit of getting to know where your story begins and why your characters have a story to tell. 
If you are a plotter, you know where your story is headed, and you could write an epilogue ahead of time. It doesn’t have to be perfect or the one you will use, but it can help figure out the end of the story. You might even learn something about your character that you can use in a chapter you were stumped on.
 
Being creative in other ways will boost your mood and trigger something to write about. Wherever you are on your writing journey, you’re not alone. 
Remember why you are writing. 
Amuse yourself and write. 
 
***opinions are my own
 
 

Are you struggling to finish a manuscript or stumped on writing the last few lines of a scene? If you’re distracted or unmotivated, there are ways to get back on your writing journey. 
Life gets busy, and sometimes, it feels impossible to write two hundred words, let alone a thousand or five thousand words. To ease your mind, it’s best to make realistic goals, ones you can control. Give yourself time to work toward them. 
Don’t give up. You may need to take a break or rethink your writing goals. 
If you make the time to write but struggle to get words down, be gentle with yourself and permit yourself to write without barriers and expectations. Write for the fun of it. No pressure.
Find your space—at a coffee shop, an office, the kitchen table, wherever. Set up your space for comfort. Coffee or tea in hand, listen to music, or sit in silence—find your happy place. 
Be committed and stick to a schedule. Make achievable weekly goals to avoid feeling overwhelmed. By breaking up the week, it makes it easier to see an end goal. 
Use tools to get your writing done. An egg timer or your phone's stopwatch app are great ways to learn not to overthink what you’re writing. Set the time and write without judgment. Journaling can warm up your brain. It’s not only a great self-care initiative because it releases thought, but it’s a good way to engage your feelings and create. 
Enter a contest or a pitch party that can give you a goal and force you to finish a project.
Want to feel motivated? Talk to another writer who is on the same journey. There’s nothing like conversing over the challenges and triumphs of the publishing world than with someone who knows. The burst of ideas and energy from another creator is inspiring. 

​Breaking down your to-do list is helpful. If you’re a committed writer to publish your work and have a deadline, you may be overwhelmed with tasks. Not only for finishing a story but there’s marketing and promotion to do as well. For example, if publishing a book is on the horizon and you’re writing another book while you need to promote your upcoming one, dividing your day into time spent writing and marketing will help you manage. Tell yourself you’ll spend an hour writing and the next hour will be updating your website and making promotional images for social media. 
Writing can come as waves of attaining your goal to struggling to make a word count. Try penciling in between ‘chores,’ which is to write 100 or 500 words. You may feel like you’re on an obstacle course, going from one place to another, but it’s one way to keep moving and exercising your brain. 
Working under pressure. Deadlines can be stressful, but it can also be a great motivator. Working toward your goal and rewarding yourself for accomplishing a word count or writing the back cover, should be celebrated. Maybe you reward yourself with a treat or meet up with a friend.
The best way to complete a project is to sit down and write. There is no other way to accomplish what you set out to do than by doing it. If you want to write, write.
 
Do you have a writing tip you want to share? I’d love to hear it. Post it in the comments.