Just write it: make peace with your writing self

Many writers are not writers by choice. There's something in them which "forces" them to write. It's a compulsion.

This compulsive-writer part of you is not sensible, in fact it can sometimes be downright contrary. If you're a freelance writer, it refuses to write high-paying material. If you're a hobby writer, it refuses to write elegant material that you can read with pride at your writers' group.

The worst thing you can do is to force your compulsive-writer self to write what the "sensible" part of you demands. Eventually, this will lead to a writing block, and depression. I discovered this early in my writing career. I was writing romance novels, and they were doing well. However, suddenly my compulsive-writer baulked. I couldn't write romance at all. Where previously words streamed from my fingertips, I had to force myself to squeeze out 50 words over a two-hour writing session.

Inevitably, I became blocked. The block lasted for at least a year, until I gave up trying to force myself to write. I relaxed, and before I knew it, I was writing copy for businesses, and articles for magazines.

The key to a happy writing life is to relax. Accept whatever material your writer-self (whether you're a compulsive writer or not) presents. I've been blocked several times over my career, and what I've learned is that I'm happier when I'm writing. For me, writing equals happiness. I've learned to accept that, and to accept whatever my writing self wants to write.

If you're blocked, or are forcing yourself to write, try relaxing. The more you try to control your muse/ inspiration, the more blocked you'll feel. Make peace with your writing self.

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Comments

[Ed]

Being relaxed seems the key to accomplishing anything that really matters (except maybe taxes). When I write in my journals it just falls out of me because I have a cup of tea, the kids are in bed and the time for reflection is available.

It's same thing for working in my garden - knowing there is much I want to accomplish and convey through the life growing in the garden I try not to get wrapped up in the needs and instead focus on the moment and relax in it's experience.

I think being tense while trying to write is often what blocks writers most.

[bh®]

Thanks so much! This is precisely how I feel. I tend to write more stream of consciousness beat-style freeform poetry but feel guilty, like I should be writing fiction instead and that I'm wasting my time.
Thanks so much for the great advice