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Growing Comfortable with the Discomfort of Writing by Jill Kemerer

Growing Comfortable with the Discomfort of Writing

Do you ever feel uncomfortable as you stare at the cursor on the screen or the blank line in your notebook? I do ALL the time!

Here’s the thing. I love writing. But before each writing session, I struggle with discomfort.

My blood grows sludgey in my veins. My muscles tighten. A thousand thoughts flutter through my brain like released butterflies, and I can’t catch a single one.

In the back of my mind is the fear. Will the words come? Will they make sense? Is this story even good? Where is the chocolate??

I do not allow myself to be a slow writer. Because I don’t have the discipline for it. When I write a few hundred words here or there, I get lazy and I lose the plot thread. Trying to get it back takes time–precious time.

So when I’m drafting a novel, I push myself to write a big chunk each day. But before I do, I’m sitting there looking at the cursor, dreading the moment I have to make a decision and put a word on the page. Then another and another until I’m in my groove.

Part of my process is accepting the discomfort. I know I have to grow comfortable each time I sit down to write by reviewing the previous scene. This jump starts my creativity and allows the words to flow.

If the words refuse to flow, I go for a walk. When I return, the cursor no longer taunts me. I’m ready to begin.

Do you dive into each writing session? Or do you feel the discomfort I experience?

I’d love to hear your process! Leave a comment!

JillKemerer

Jill Kemerer is a Publishers Weekly bestselling author of heartwarming, emotional, small-town romance novels often featuring cowboys. She hopes to encourage readers through her books the way so many books have encouraged her. Jill's essentials include coffee, caramels, a stack of books, her mini-doxie, and long walks outdoors. She resides in Ohio with her husband and two almost-grown children. For more information, visit her website, jillkemerer.com.

This Post Has 5 Comments

  1. I think you nailed it, Jill. Oddly enough, knowing you feel that way make me feel a little less lonely about it. I try so hard to think positive, but sometimes it really does seem like a grind, doesn’t it?

  2. Jill, I’m not a linear writer so I don’t get stuck that often. If I don’t know what to write next I’ll go write a chunk of another section. But yeah, eventually I do need to come back to where I left off, the metaphorical piper must be paid, but usually by then I’ve had time to think about it. Paradoxically the more I write the harder it is, because I want it to be perfect. And I’m aware of what it COULD be. Which is intimidating but also keeps me going.
    Kathy Bailey

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