A Writer’s Life Getting Yourself Unstuck

Years ago, in a “Writer’s Digest” article the famous novelist James Michener was quoted as saying most people don’t want to be writers, they want to “have been” writers. In changing the tense Michener was referring to the fact that would-be writers don’t want to do the work that writing demands: research, planning, writing, revisions, and more revisions. Michener’s comment was on the mark.
For some reason, and I can’t figure out why, a lot of people think books write themselves. They have no understanding of the hours it takes to generate articles, books, plays, and poems. Like most writers, I get stuck sometimes, but I don’t think of it as writer’s block because I keep on writing. I also take these steps.
I am a health and wellness writer and when I am stuck it usually means I don’t have enough information. So I check my resources again to see if there is anything I have missed. Though I consider myself a careful reader, often I find a word or phrase that gets me unstuck. If I am still short of information I look for more.
Reading aloud is also helpful. While I am aware of the differences between written and spoken words, reading aloud gives me a sense of flow and rhythm. I also listen for linking sentences between paragraphs. Most Americans, including me, love alliteration and check to see if I have used it well or over-used it. Many paragraphs have been changed after I have read my stuff aloud.
What if more information and reading aloud don’t do the trick? Then I review my original planning. Before I start to anything I make a plan. A book plan is much like a thesis and includes every point, every resource, and every page number. I look for holes in my plan that I may have missed. Logic is also something I check. I want to make sure the reader can follow my logic and the headings that mark it.
My last resort (and maybe it should be my first) is a short nap. Taking a nap doesn’t mean I am avoiding problems. When I awaken from a nap I not only feel refreshed, the answer has usually popped into my head. I am amazed at the way the mind works. My mind often works on writing problems during the night and I often wake up at 3 a.m. with a “message” to change one word in a sentence.
Though I can’t guarantee that these steps will work for you, I think you will find them helpful. Writing is a challenge and it demands a lot from us. Seeing my name on books covers and articles is rewarding, but it’s the process I love the most. I am happiest when I am writing. You may feel the same and I wish you all the best – unlimited ideas, flowing words, and continued success.