Don’t feel like writing, but wanna finish

First consider why you don’t feel like writing. Are you tired? Sick? Overwhelmed? Confused? 

When visiting the ER, triage asks you to rate the pain on a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the most painful. Use a similar gauge when determining just how bad you don’t feel like writing, then choose which number is a pass. For me, that’s a ten. You can take it a step further and determine which number equals what. 

For me, a nine means that I’ll just write four sentences. It’s not much, but it’s something, and something is better than nothing. An eight is about two paragraphs. A seven is a page. Anything less than or equal to a six means take a few deep breaths, maybe a yoga session, and get your ass to the desk and write. Again, that’s my scale. Create your own. 

Consistency and self-compassion are critical to your writing career. 

Breathe through the tough spots and keep writing. Don’t focus on the finished product. Focus on the process. Remind yourself where you are in the process and what that stage consists of. If this is your first draft, then you’re simply brain dumping. You’re getting it out, not necessarily getting it right. You’re bridging one page to the next so that you can finish and proceed to the next stage. 

If you’re revising, break out your toolbox. Grab your list of makes something good writing. Tap your beta readers on the shoulder. Create an outline based on what you’ve written thus far and add/subtract to the outline as necessary. Try printing it out and working on it that way versus on the computer. 

Consistency is one component of mothering yourself through the process. It’s the firm side. Not cold, just not being able to get over on her. If I rate myself a seven, then consistency requires that I go ahead and knock out my page. Self-compassion comes in when I’m at a 10. She pulls the covers up over me, kisses me on the forehead and tells me not to even much worry about it. She also kicks in when I’m a 9 and struggling to get through my paragraph; I’ve written two sentences and ain’t a syllable left in me. 

It’s okay. Don’t try adding what you didn’t do today to tomorrow’s writing session. That’s counterproductive. Trust that there will be days when you’ll far exceed your writing goal. So long as you stick to the process, maintain consistency, and practice self-compassion, you will finish your book. 

[Here’s how to properly choose your number.]

If you need questions answered, your outline/manuscript analyzed, or an accountability partner, then don’t hesitate to reach out. Click here to see how my services can assist you.