Reflecting on When you Stop Writing
I use writing to process, heal, understand, and keep track of life. When I cannot write I feel slightly out of control. What stops you from writing?
Waiting kills my creativity. I can start many projects at once but I hate leaving a piece of work undone. Many pieces of writing can sit-in-the-place-of-waiting for acceptance/rejection. It’s like at the doctor’s. I feel like I should listen to hear the diagnosis before abandoning the poor creature that needs to be fixed.
I don’t think that this is writer’s block. I’ve never had any problem with ideas or imagining. It’s more of a block of confidence. I forget that I’ve four novels published.
I find my confidence dips and rises. Yes, it mostly sinks. And, it can be the simplest thing that tips the scales.
- Finding a typo in a published novel or piece of work.
- Noticing a place where I could have made the writing better.
- Reading a negative review.
- Being ignored or waiting long spells when I press send on material I’ve great hopes for.
- Getting feedback and edits.
Needing validation. I’ve decided to try something new and serialise my own titles on Substack. I can get tired waiting on publishers to accept titles, so I’m biting the bullet. Let me know what you think. https://sharontwriter.substack.com/p/the-donegal-gold
Everyday life spoils my writing routine. Holidays and guests really shift my schedule. Much as I love both, where does my writing time go? Up the swanny!
Stress. Much as I tell others to write through these times of anxiety and worry, they can totally stop creativity. It’s like the weight is too heavy. Typing or scribbling on a notepad is filled with negative thoughts or falsely positive mantras of well-being. Yet, when I do write (like now) I feel more at ease. At different points in our lives, stress or anxiety can totally stifle us. As a younger writer, this was alien to me. I lose my mojo quite frequently and it’s very hard to resume after a fall.
Rejection. Sometimes it fevers me up to write more. That said, if it’s a particularly harsh one or the pinnacle of hope, I can feel very dejected. I’ve usually waited (without writing) for it to come too, so it is a double whammy. I’d suggest to you keep writing regardless of waiting and rejection. Otherwise you’ll never get words out.
Thinking Time goes on too long. I muddle and overthink. I’ve listened to something recently (cannot remember who or where) and they suggest not thinking at all. I agree to an extent because when I start, the pondering can go on and on… and I talk myself out of the writing.
Procrastinating. This is usually cleaning, painting, and de-cluttering. What can I do that is productive but is not writing-related and will numb out the fact that I’m not writing?
Making graphics and new book covers. This could fall into the procrastinating box, but, it’s ‘writing stuff’. I’ll convince myself that real writing involves social media scrolling, making content, and generally being creative. But it’s still mostly unproductive.
Grammar worries. What is good grammar nowadays? Am I supposed to end sentences this way?
Negative thinking like – I tell too much in my work. I’m never going to be a literary genius. So, why should I bother? I love writing genre fiction. It’s only silly stories with the usual tropes and plotlines. I make way too many typos. I need to invest in paid ads and I’m worried about the expense. Is my writing really worth it? Who wants to read hot romance? https://radish.app.link/wGk2dYf6yAb
Being a good role model can get too much. With my writing groups, I fear constantly that I’m not a proper leader. I berate myself for not following my own sage advice *snort. Who am I to help others with their writing? sharonthompson.substack.com
I tend to forget how far I’ve come. The way I talk to myself is definitely not how I communicate with my writing group members. I encourage them every step of the way, yet with myself… nope.
Does any of this sound familiar to you? Are you writing? Has something made you stop? What is it?
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Sharon Thompson is a published crime novelist and short story writer, represented by Trace Literary Agency. She has three novels (The Abandoned, The Healer, and The Quiet Truth) published with Bloodhound Books UK, and a fourth, called The Murdering Wives Club, published with Poolbeg, Ireland. Penny Best is her pen name for romance titles and to date she has four published titles on Amazon, three ready for serialising on Substack, and five published on the American platform, Radish. Sharon also founded successful podcasts, writing groups, and tweet chats. She facilitates workshops and chairs panel discussions at literary events. Her plays have been long-listed and she has many short stories published in literary journals and magazines.
@sharontwriter
@pennybestwriter
https://sharontwriter.substack.com/p/the-donegal-gold
Category: On Writing
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Loved your article! I have experienced all those things and am so happy that you have expressed them so well. Thank you. It is a very inspiring article that gives ourselves a realistic look at what we really feel in the process. All my best!