So, I haven’t been able to write much recently. Therefore I thought I would make a list of possible reasons why people can struggle to write sometimes. So here goes.
1) STRESS – This could be from a variety of different places; school, work, family issues, the list could go on for a while. Sometimes this can help your writing, because the process is familiar and comforting in a way so can alleviate the stress. However, the three examples which are listed above mean that it can be challenging to sit down and create something because of all of the emotions that you are feeling from these issues.
2) NO DEADLINES – After working towards deadlines at school and at uni, some people don’t have too much of a problem writing because they struggled to meet the deadlines anyway, so can prosper now that there is no pressure to get something finished by a certain time. Others though, struggle to find the motivation to begin a project once there are no deadlines and even when they attempt to create targets for themselves, there isn’t the same pressure because it is them in charge. When you are the one setting your own deadlines they just seem more flexible than those you have become used to.
3)BEING BUSY – While some writers will preach the benefits of writing a little bit every day or having a daily word target, I don’t believe that this works for everybody. So when you work an average of forty hours a week it can prove to be difficult carving out the time to write down all of the ideas that are swirling in your head, simply because there is always something else to be done.
4) TOO MANY IDEAS – With so many ideas fighting for precedence in your brain it can be hard to decide where to begin. I know writers who can only work on one piece at a time, even if they have other ideas forming. Then there are those of you like me who can have multiple pieces on the go, but you can’t write everything down quick enough to remember or you find yourself mixing the stories together.
5) A LACK OF IDEAS – On the flip side, in spite of the may incomplete pieces that are collecting dust in the backs of your cupboards, you can have periods where you want to write, but are unsure what. It comes at a point where you don’t want to continue an old idea, but have no new concept to replace the previous one.
6) REJECTION/DISAPPOINTMENT – As I have discussed with several other writers, sometimes after receiving criticism on a piece, particularly one which you were proud of, there is a period of time where you do not wish to write. It is common, for you to need to distance yourself from a piece that has recently been edited, especially if the comments are overwhelming.
I think that’s enough for now, but the list could probably continue endlessly. The reason I chose to only use these six is because they are the ones that I have the most experience with.
Next week, I will be create a list with different ways to combat these issues. If any one else has any that they would like me to attempt to cover as well, feel free to let me know.
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