I get it now. When amateur writers receive advice on getting started, the most advised trait recommended to nurture, is perseverance.
To be candid, despite my best efforts to avoid tripping up at the first hurdle, I have been forced to learn a tough, although inevitable lesson (which I suppose was better to happen sooner rather than later).
It is widely known that artists drawn towards this calling, tend to be filtered throughout the process. Not everyone is going to be a success story, because not everyone can drag themselves out of the slump. After all, success stories only emerge through commitment and resilience. If it was easy, everyone would do it.
I suppose, this is something worth remembering. A humble reminder that it isn’t easy for anyone. Fortunately, being guided to certain spaces in social media, we can share our journey, and learn from others within our desired community, which in turn aid to forge the tools we can use to re-motivate ourselves when inspiration lacks, or life gets in the way.
We have more access than ever before, and this somehow manifests into guilt, or even to feel somewhat fraudulent, that we received the help our predecessors didn’t.
But we get to this point for a common reason. We love what we do. If the blueprints aren’t built upon a love of the craft, the foundation wouldn’t be stable enough to withstand the storm.
As I sit here and type this post, I confess that I let life get in the way. Maybe I, myself, got in the way. All the excuses I tell myself help ease the doubt; that I’m not as resilient as I thought. But if writing is a muscle that needs exercise, then I will use this plateau to share the methods I use to pull myself out.
At the end of each set-back, the yearn to write and expel my story only grows stronger, and then I become frustrated when my attention becomes occupied with scrolling or busying myself with other tedious crap. But it is reassuring to know that not a single writer hasn’t gone through something similar. I am grateful, that from this lesson, I’ve been able to find certain solutions to help me regain the structure and motivation I need to climb out of my slump:
Read More.
Even in my slump, I found a way to stay connected: through books. While writing might not feel easy at the best of times, the ability to inhale books like they’re M&M’s, will always come without effort. Reading is not only easy, but enjoyable. During the long commute to work, I have let audible pass the time, and when I finally get to switch off at the end of the day, my kindle is my dearest friend. Without conscious effort, we can inhale and absorb fiction, to find our tropes, and use the worlds we get lost in to help spark our own. When it feels that you aren’t making progress, and you can’t find the motivation to do the hard thing, do the easy thing. Rediscover where your heart is and start again from there.
Have something to look forward to.
Enrol in a writing course. At the end of the month, I am due to enrol in a creative writing course. My work, my partner, my friends and family, are aware of the commitment at least enough to hold me accountable. I cannot express the excitement and self-worth you can find once you invest in your future.
I think by consciously deciding to save up your money and invest in your craft, it somehow becomes both real, and tangible. Of course, you can learn by trial and error; everyone embarks on their own journey. However, being new to something means suppressing your ego enough to admit that is ok to have help.
You don’t need to do it all by yourself, and you can only benefit from guidance. Writing will never rely on raw talent alone. It is ignorant to think there is nothing to learn, because you are always learning. Better be specific about it.
Mix it up.
If you are lacking inspiration to continue writing your story, find a way to make yourself love it again. What elements of fictions do you really enjoy? Find a way to incorporate it into your writing. Do you like an enemy-to-lovers concept? Do you love when the main character has a detrimental flaw or secret? Whatever it is, find the recipe that draws you to your favourite books. Use it to drive you in your own!
You could write something different. A book review, or a journal entry.
This for me has been the most helpful piece of advice. If you are too busy trying to write like Tolkien, in a story that doesn’t keep you interested, then why the hell are you writing it? Find your bread and butter, your own style and essentially try to make it fun again. Forget you’re writing a novel, and just write something messy, because messes are fun, and I dare you to disagree.
Celebrate Yourself.
Celebrate everything you write. I think by rewarding yourself and celebrating each hurdle, turns the task into an accomplishment, and less of a chore. This helps you to stay motivated and enjoy the writing process. At risk of overusing a cliché, we are on a journey. If you wont let yourself enjoy each milestone or checkpoint, then why would embark in the first place. Sometimes, it is important to check how you speak to yourself. If you find that thoughts are becoming more negative than positive, you need to make a conscious effort to be able recognise this and correct it. Be Kind, be patient, and be present.
I can relate to this so much. Very helpful tips, thank you!!