Tips to Make Yourself Write When You Really Don’t Want to

Everyone gets in a writing rut sometimes. Whether it’s true writer’s block or simply a lack of motivation to write, it can be difficult to jog your artistic abilities. I suffer from the ebb and flow of motivation frequently, and when I’m lacking motivation, I’m REALLY lacking it. So, I have a lot of experience in coaxing myself back into a writing rhythm. Here are some of my favorite tips and exercise to get yourself back into a regular writing routine!

1. Sit down and stare at your computer.
   I know this sounds obvious, but hear me out. A lot of the time when we don’t want to do something, we procrastinate. If you’re avoiding writing, there’s a good chance you’re not taking the time to sit in front of your computer at all. Take a moment, sit in front of a blank document, and just stare at it. Recreate the boating school scene from Spongebob in your mind. If nothing comes of it, then nothing comes of it, but sometimes putting yourself in the position to write is enough to make you jot down at least a few words or ideas.
   
2. If you write on a laptop or notebook, keep it in an easily accessible place.
   This is another tip that seems like common sense, but it’s something I didn’t realize until recently. I often have small ideas that don’t seem like enough of a “thing” to go all the way to my computer, turn it on, and jot down this inconsequential thought. This happens often enough that if I actually did jot down all of these thoughts somewhere, I’d probably have quite a bit of writing. Instead of treating this like some Herculean task, I decided to start leaving my laptop in my living room. This way, when I have a small idea, I can open up my laptop and write it down without having to get up at all. Often times when I do this, I end up writing much more than I’d initially planned. While it may seem silly, sometimes leaving your laptop, notebook, iPad, or any mobile device out in the open makes you more inclined to actually use it.
   
3. Write one sentence.
   Neil Gaiman said that he wrote Coraline by writing just fifty words per night. When we hear of people writing thousands of words per day, it can seem worthless to sit down and write such a meager amount. Writing isn’t a competition, though, and any amount of writing is progress. If you can’t bring yourself to sit down for hours at a time and write, try sitting down for a few minutes and writing a single sentence. You might find that this is enough to help you continue writing even more, or you might complete your sentence and be done for the day. Either way, you at least have that sentence, which is more than you had before.
   
4. Read a book/poem/short story etc. that inspires you.
   I personally think that the best writers are also excellent readers. A large part of what motivates me to write is that I read such excellent books, and I know that I hope to write something similar. Whenever I’m feeling particularly unmotivated, it helps me to reread one of my favorite books or poems to remind myself why I want to write in the first place. I want to create something that makes other people feel the way these books make me feel, and to do that I need to sit down and write!
   
5. Type things down in your notes.
   Writing doesn’t have to happen linearly, or at your desk. I often get snippets or ideas for something I’m working on while I’m away from home, so I jot it down in my notes. The events of a story don’t always come in order, so writing these flashes down in my notes helps me remember the idea when I do get to that part of the story. This is also a helpful method for times when I’m struggling to write in general. If I can at least get my ideas down, then when I do have more motivation I have plenty of ideas to go off of.
   
6. Create a specific time of day to write.
   A lot of full-time authors swear by the habit of creating a specific time of day to write. This isn’t a viable option for everyone (especially because most of us aren’t full-time writers), but it can be helpful to those who have consistent schedules. Writing for any amount of time in the morning or evening (or at lunch) can help you create a “mindset” for writing. In Stephen King’s book, On Writing, he says that if you write at the same time every day, eventually the writer within you will start to meet you at that time. Essentially, your brain understands that, “This is writing time, we need to focus on writing.” If you have a consistent schedule and create a time for writing every day, then this might be a good way to get you writing again.
   
7. Look at your writing every single day.
   For me, sometimes I struggle to write because I think it just isn’t worth it. I may start to lack confidence or feel that my writing isn’t good enough for me to spend time on, which is a really terrible way to look at things. However, when I read over things I’ve already written, I’m often impressed with myself (she said as unconceitedly as possible). I expect it to read over my writing and be embarrassed or ashamed, but instead I think, “Hey, I would read this,” which is a much better thought. Looking at my writing every day and seeing that it’s not the tripe I expect it to be has given me a lot more confidence to continue writing, which is why this is a tip on this list.
   
8. Switch projects if you’re stuck on one.
   Sometimes forcing yourself to work on a single piece of writing just isn’t working. I’m a person who likes to finish one task before starting another, so I understand that it can seem difficult to start a new piece of writing if you haven’t finished the previous one. However, sometimes switching to a new topic or different style of writing can get the creative juices flowing again. Then, when you’re back in the zone, you can return to your former project with new zeal.
   
9. Remember that your writing doesn’t have to go anywhere.
   This last one isn’t a tip that you can actively practice, but it’s more of a thought process to work towards. A big hang-up for many people is the idea that their writing will never get published, therefore it’s a waste of time. Remember that writing is a hobby, and like any other hobby, you don’t have to be successful at it to enjoy it. You can write prolifically and never have anything published, and the time you spend writing still wouldn’t be a waste of time. While many of us aspire to be published writers, if you truly enjoy writing, then you should be writing for yourself. It doesn’t have to go anywhere or be seen by anyone else to be worth your time.
   
   These are some of my best tips to make myself write when I can’t be bothered to. I think we all need a push sometimes, but it’s very possible for that push to come from within. Any progress is still progress, and it’s important to keep that in mind and try to avoid comparing your rate of production with anyone else’s. Happy writing!
   
   The Lit Wiz