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How To Start Writing Again

By on March 15, 2016
How To Start Writing Again - Writer's Life.org

It is so easy to put writing off until tomorrow. You are full of good intentions, but, like many writers, when it comes to actually sitting down in front of the computer screen, your head is suddenly full of reasons why you shouldn’t.

Maybe you have a busy day and can’t find the time, maybe you just want to get the house nice and tidy before you start, maybe you are suddenly overwhelmed with a desire to sort out your wardrobe, or that you really should start ironing (even though you have never bothered to iron  anything in your life until that very moment).

Whatever our reasons, there are rarely valid excuses for not sitting down to write. There is always a window, even if it is only for half an hour, where you can find a quiet space, sit down, and get to work.

Of course, we can tell ourselves this until we are blue in the face, but it doesn’t mean we will actually do it.

The truth, however, it that it's easy to start writing again, even if we have been procrastinating for years, it’s just about getting over that first hurdle, settling into a routine, and then, before we know it, writing is suddenly, gloriously and satisfyingly part of our lives once more.

Here are some useful tips to get you started.

What’s the hold up?

If you have had many failed attempts to get back into the writing groove, perhaps it is time to ask yourself why you feel you can’t start. It is unlikely to be because you can’t find the time. Instead, if you dig a little deeper it is usually that pesky inner critic which blocks you, filling your head with thoughts of failure and rejection. But why let this stop you? Really all you need to ask yourself is…

What is the worst case scenario?

Seriously, if you give it a go, what is the worst that can happen? Starting to write is your objective here. Not to become a bestselling author, a prize winning journalist, or even to let your mum read it. Take all the pressure away and just begin writing for you. If you are constantly filled with a desire to write, then get those words down on paper and see how you feel afterwards. It is surely better than stuck in an endless loop of beating yourself up about not doing it, right?

Take all the pressure away and just begin writing for you. If you are constantly filled with a desire to write, then get those words down on paper and see how you feel afterwards. It is surely better than being stuck in an endless loop of beating yourself up for not doing it, right?

Set a time

Get yourself into a routine as soon as possible by setting aside a time where you write each day. Writing is a skill, one we need to practice regularly.

Writing each day, even if it is only a little, will really help you learn, and develop your writing skills too.Soon you’ll look forward to your writing sessions and start to see your writing improve. It is important to stop before you run out of

It is important to stop before you run out of steam though. If you have set aside half an hour, stick to that. It is so much better to have to tear yourself away, and then come back to your writing the next day, excited to start again, rather then using all your energy and enthusiasm up until you get stuck again. It also means you won’t feel as though your writing is taking up too much time, and so won’t resent having to do it, or view it as a ‘chore.’

Sit up and take note

Sometimes the biggest problem we face when sitting down to write is coming up with fresh new ideas. The great thing is there are beautiful, interesting, exciting, frightening, funny things happening all around us, all the time. Bring a notepad with you wherever you go and start to really look at the world around you. You might catch a snippet of an unusual or hilarious conversation on a bus, or notice the exact shade of colour the sky turns at dusk. Sit in a busy cafe for an hour or so and make notes about the different people that come and go. What do they look like? What are they saying? How do they move? Getting into the habit of making notes about the things you observe means you already have masses of material to inspire you when you start writing, and they will make your descriptions richer, your characters more real and interesting.

Sit in a busy cafe for an hour or so and make notes about the different people that come and go. What do they look like? What are they saying? How do they move? Getting into the habit of making notes about the things you observe means you already have masses of material to inspire you when you start writing, and they will make your descriptions richer, your characters more real and interesting.

Get some feedback

When you are ready, it is time to get out there and let your writing loose into the world. Get a writing buddy you can bounce ideas off, or work collaboratively with, post your work on a review site for truthful, honest feedback, or, if that fills you with dread, then simply show it to friends and family. They might not be as brutally honest as anonymous reviewers, but hey, there is nothing wrong with getting a little ego boost from time to time, and once you have built your confidence up you can move on to having your work critiqued by strangers.

Once you finally bite the bullet and begin to write again you will wonder why you ever stopped. Having a urge to write is, for many writers, a craving, except once you give into it, it won’t leave you 20 pounds heavier, or guiltily hiding the evidence in your handbag! Use these tips to ease yourself back into the writing game, and we are sure you’ll be so glad you did.

Bethany Cadman -author of 'Doctor Vanilla's Sunflowers'

Bethany Cadman -author of 'Doctor Vanilla's Sunflowers'

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