IWSG: Why Do You Write?

It’s time for another group posting of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group! founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh. Time to release our fears to the world – or offer encouragement to those who are feeling neurotic. If you’d like to join us, click on the tab above and sign up. We post the first Wednesday of every month. Your words might be the encouragement someone needs. You can also join us on twitter using the hashtag #IWSG, or on the Facebook page.

Now, IWSG hosts have changed up the format in an effort to make it more fun and interactive.Every month, they will announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG Day post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. 

Don’t forget to visit others that day to see their answers. Want to join, or learn more? Visit our - Sign-up List.

NOVEMBER QUESTION - Albert Camus once said, “The purpose of a writer is to keep civilization from destroying itself.” Flannery O’Conner said, “I write to discover what I know.” Authors across time and distance have had many reasons to write. Why do you write what you write?

MY ANSWER - “I became a writer so that the voices inside my head would become an acceptable occurrence.” ― Janae Mitchell

I have to be honest, I haven't read a single work by Mitchell, but I love that quote. I don't even remember where I first heard this saying, but it sums up my feelings on the matter pretty well. The truth is, I become almost possessed by certain ideas and feelings and the only way for me to process or relieve those is by telling the story. Whether it's fiction, nonfiction, or poetry... some ideas just won't let go properly until they've been shared.

How about you? Why do you write, and what do you write the most frequently?

7 Tips for Overcoming Writer's Block

This guest post is brought to us by Amy Reynolds, author of articles about online dating for Free Dating Sites for Women.

If you’re a writer, there’s no doubt that you’ve been there before…sitting at your laptop and staring deep into a blank screen that is the Word document waiting to be filled with your most brilliant and eloquent literature. But you’ve got the block. So now what?

Next time you have the overwhelming feeling of being stuck in an uninspired pit of a writer’s block that has you teetering on the ledge of setting fire to your journalism degree, check out the following tips for getting past it:

Tip #1: Make a schedule. When you set a schedule and stick to it, your mind will follow your body. Carve out some time each day to write…even if you set aside one hour, that is a great start. Just make sure you pick a time when you are relaxed and can easily focus on the task at hand. In creating a schedule, be sure to implement deadlines. When you have a certain goal and a date to work towards, you will better manage your time and get into a good habit.

Tip #2: Go easy on yourself. Any writer knows that writer’s block is a very real and very frustrating thing, but you can’t be too hard on yourself. Everyone experiences it—even the greats—so you’ve got to trust that the block will pass. Hold off on the criticism until the editing portion of the process comes into play.

Tip #3: Don’t succumb to panic. Although you may feel the fear setting in that you won’t be able to meet a deadline or get the job done, panicking will only worsen the situation. Eliminate your anxiety by sticking to your schedule. Force yourself to write and you will find that you will bypass the worry — because you’re already writing.

Tip #4: Take a breather. Anytime you’re really focused on your work and finding it difficult to go on…take a step back. When you’ve been writing non-stop for a while your mind just needs to take some time off to regroup. Partake in other activities that you enjoy or just get some rest. Afterwards, you will be refreshed with new ideas and inspiration and will be ready to get writing again!

Tip #5: Examine any self-issues. Sometimes if you have things going on in your personal life, it can have a huge effect on your writing, hampering you from expelling the creativity within. If you’re going through a tough time, try taking to pen and paper about the issues that are troubling you. Through some creative writing, you may find that you can release any pent up feelings that have brought on the writer’s block. If this doesn’t work, try talking to a friend or even seeking the help of a counselor.

Tip #6: Pick a good writing environment. What is your writing space like? Is it someplace where you feel comfortable to be your most creative self? If not, pick a positive atmosphere that encourages you to work hard. Avoid a place that is distracting. To minimize distractions even more, don’t get on the internet while writing. Also if you write in the same place every single day, another good idea is to switch it up from time to time so you don’t get bored of the same space and routine.

Tip #7: Remember why you write. Examine the reasons and goals behind your work. Are you writing what you love? Does it feel like play…or does it feel forced? Try to focus on the parts of writing that you are passionate about and you will be able to reconnect with it on more of an artistic level rather than a work level.

For more advice about how to deal with this issue, check out what bestselling author Jerry B. Jenkins says: https://jerryjenkins.com/writers-block/

How about you? Do you struggle with writer's block? Do you have any additional tips? Are you a fan of Jerry B Jenkins?