Are You Using These Excuses Not To Write?

It’s amazing how many excuses writers can come up with to delay their writing. While sometimes you might have good reason to push it back, usually you do so because of an underlying cause such as being too self-critical of being scared of judgment and rejection.

Learning to recognize when you are using excuses not to write and not letting yourself off the hook is so important and will ensure you stay productive and stick to your writing goals.

Here are some of the most common excuses writers use not to write:

"It’s not the right time."

Some writers claim they need to be in just the right mood to write. While it’s lovely to write when we are feeling all inspired and where the conditions are just perfect for doing so, sometimes we have to knuckle down and get on with it even if we aren’t feeling as creatively inspired as we’d like. So just because you are not feeling it, doesn’t mean you get to skip your writing session. Often if you stick to your guns and write through it, you’ll come out of the other side pleased that you did.

"I don’t have enough time."

Another writer’s perfect favorite excuse is claiming that they do not have the time to write. Now we’re are not denying that it can be challenging to fit writing into a busy schedule, particularly if you have to work around it. However, there are twenty-four available hours in every day, and by shifting things around and changing priorities, most people find that there s plenty of time to be a productive and prolific writer if they are disciplined and motivated to do so.

"I’ll just get (insert household chore) done."

Is your house spotless? Is all your ironing always done? Is your car sparkling clean? Sometimes writer’s rely on pressing domestic chores to get out of writing. However, being a good writer is all about practice and if you want to improve you do need to put the hours in. So make writing your priority - the household chores can wait!

"I need to plan more/ do more research/ work on the plot."

Another great excuse not to write is that you need to do more background work before getting stuck in. While there is nothing wrong with thoroughly researching, plotting and planning your novel, you know when you’ve done enough and are just using this as an excuse because you’ve got cold feet. Don’t let fear or anxiety get the better of you!

"I’m not good enough."

Writers can be their own worst enemies when it comes to lack of confidence. Telling yourself that you have no talent or that your writing will never come to anything is helpful to no one. You obviously want to write, and you clearly have a story to tell so don’t let anyone, including yourself, stop you!

Writers are masters of excuses, and we often come up with plenty of weird and wonderful reasons to avoid it. Make sure you recognize when you are just making excuses and try not to let yourself get away with it!

Bethany Cadman - bethanycadman.co.uk

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