Stop Making Excuses and Write
Stop Making Excuses and Write
This Week In Writing, we explore excuses we use to avoid writing and discuss methods to get out of our own way.
As writers, we love adding chains that keep us from writing. Whether it’s a chain of procrastination, writer’s block, laziness, or anything else, we weigh ourselves down with these excuses. Well, as Wilson Phillips says, we’ve got to “break free from the chains.”
We writers make a lot of excuses for not writing. It’s important to identify these excuses and learn how to overcome them. There’s an entire chapter and exercise in my book dedicated to this essential writing task.
I often refer to Andy Weir’s Write Now interview because his response to writer’s block cuts to the core. He says:
No, my main problem isn’t writer’s block, it’s “writer’s lazy-assed work avoidance”. Sitting down and actually doing the work is hard and sometimes requires a huge amount of effort. So the biggest challenge for me isn’t coming up with the ideas, it’s forcing myself to sit down and do the work.
How often do we writers have an idea and decide to avoid putting in the work? I don’t know about you, but Andy’s words hit hard.
What chains do you weigh yourself down with, and how do you break free? Hit reply, and let’s chat.
⛈ Weather Alert
Given the context above, this is a bit ironic. But, here we are.
Hurricane Ian is heading towards the state of Florida, and, as I write this on Monday morning, the path is anyone’s guess. I could be looking at 3+ days of wind and rain, or the impacts could be less severe. Either way, I’m going into hurricane prep mode and may be less responsive than usual. I still welcome your emails and responses, but they won’t be a high priority for the remainder of the week.
This Week's Featured Links
Your Writing Excuses Won’t Stop You When You Turn Them Into Ideas | by Martina D. | The Writing Cooperative — writingcooperative.com Learn to beat your writer's block by working with it, and generate new writing ideas by analyzing your writing excuses.
Stop Making Excuses And Become The Writer You Want To Become | by Brian Kurian | The Writing Cooperative — writingcooperative.com This man was my first manager when I graduated from College and got my first real adult job. Although I did not agree with some of his beliefs and his opinions, I always agreed with this specific…
Top 5 Excuses That Hold You Back from Finishing Your Articles | by Jill Reid | The Writing Cooperative — writingcooperative.com writing, writing tips, writers block, productivity, creativity, how to write, reasons why you can't write, writing life, performance anxiety, make me a writer, create confidence in your writing, overcome personal obstacles
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