Writing Blues? Just Show Up

When you have the writing blues, just show up to each writing session.

Some books come to me so easily. I sit down and, before I know it, I’ve written an entire chapter. I love the characters, I know where the story is going, and best of all, I write the book quickly.

Then there’s the book I’m currently working on. I’ve been eagerly anticipating writing these characters. However, this book has not been easy to write. I sit down and grind out each sentence. Each scene takes forever to get on the page. It’s hard to avoid the writing blues.

I love the characters. I spend time after every writing session thinking about where the story is going. But this book has a mind of its own, and the writing has been very, very slow.

I will have it done before my deadline. And I’ll be pleased with the result. It’s the getting there that’s hard.

Every writer I know struggles with some aspect of writing. It might be the first draft. It might be revising. It might be knowing when the book is finished.

In order to get through the struggle and emerge victorious, we only have to do one thing. Show up.

Just show up.

Keep opening the manuscript. Keep putting words on the page. Keep thinking about the plot. Keep making adjustments where they’re needed.

Keep going.

When you show up day after day, month after month, nothing can stop you. Not a rogue plotline. Not characters behaving badly. Not the daunting task of revising a messy manuscript.

We’re writers. We take it one day at a time.

Struggling to keep your writing sessions? Read the section on Procrastination in “The 3 Ps of Time Management.” We can succeed!!

What part of the writing process gives you the most trouble?

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Reminder: I have two books in stores this month! You can pick up a copy of THE COWBOY’S LITTLE SECRET and Debbie Macomber’s YOURS AND MINE (My book, HERS FOR THE SUMMER, is a bonus story!!) at book retailers near you!