The Excuses Writers Make That Keep Them From Writing
and why you should stop making them
Writers sit around all day talking about writing, thinking about writing, but the one thing they don't do - is write.
Or at least that's what the internet most knows writers for other than their unhealthy fascination with characters that don't exist and their equally unhealthy caffeine intake.
Let's uncover the reasons or excuses writers are making that are keeping them from writing and how many on this list have you made?
1. They Don't Have The Time
Life is busy and there are always going to be things to do and then more things to do when you've finished with those things and it becomes one big never-ending cycle of things to do that leave no time for writing.
Well, I have a secret hack for you to stop this excuse in its tracks.
If you want to find the time to write - you're going to have to make it.
If you wanted to find time to go out with your friends or go and see that new movie or do any number of other tasks you would move things around, push things to other days, or just stop procrastinating and WOW so much more time would open up when you get through that five-minute task without the thirty minutes of social media scrolling.
Make writing a priority in your schedule and you'll be amazed with how much time you can find to write.
2. They Don't Know What To Write
If you've written half of the story, but you don't know what comes next you may be putting off writing until you have that AHA! moment with all the answers to see your novel over the finish line… or you could take the advice of young adult fantasy author Laini Taylor.
"Never sit staring at a blank page or screen. If you find yourself stuck, write. Write about the scene you're trying to write. Writing about is easier than writing, and chances are, it will give you your way in."
- Laini Taylor
3. They're Not Inspired
This may burst your little bubble here, but there is no inspiration fairy who will come along with her magic wand and bop you on the head with a story idea that will entertain the masses.
Sure that first little burst of inspiration you received from wherever it is all great story ideas come from was enough to get you thinking about it, but it's going to be you who's going to have to pull the rest of the story out of thin air or the places in your mind you may rather not travel.
Inspiration isn't enough to write. It's only enough to get you started, determination and sitting down to write even when you don't want to will get you through the rest of it.
4. They Don't Think It's Good Enough
If you want to be a writer then you better kick self-doubt and perfectionism out the window -
and then go open the door back up for it so it can walk right back in like a good friend.
There are too many advice articles out there for new writers telling them that they need to just forget about their self-doubt, but for some of us, this is a pretty big ask.
It's ok to doubt yourself, but it's not okay to give up because of that doubt.
Your writing isn't going to be perfect, nobody is and just like all pieces of art, writing is subjective. Some may read it and think it's the best thing they have ever put in front of their eyes balls and some will want their money back.
That's just life. My partner loves mint chocolate chip ice cream - and I'd rather throw it in the trash on sight.
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Excuses are easy to make, but ultimately they get in between you and your writing.
When you find yourself finding reasons not to write think it over for a few moments and ask yourself if writing would be the better solution than whatever reason you are telling yourself not to.
Go write.
With love,
B.K. xo xo
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This story was originally posted on Medium.
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About the Creator
Elise L. Blake
Elise is a full-time writing coach and novelist. She is a recent college graduate from Southern New Hampshire University where she earned her BA in Creative Writing.
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Comments (1)
My time to write is usually right after I complete my morning chores and do a little reading. I am not writing a novel, but I do write smaller pieces.