If you want to write a book but you’re not actually writing, it probably feels lousy. You think you SHOULD just get on with it, but you don’t. You’re not alone, I promise. So, how do you start writing again? I know, because I’ve been there.
I'm writing a book. A personal book—not a work project or anything for a client. Except…
I haven’t written a damn word in ages. You're probably not very encouraged hearing that from someone who's literal job is book coach. I mean, if I can't do it...
But that's the point. No matter how much experience we have, or how psyched we are about our book idea, or how much we want it, we can't do everything.
I wrote about this last summer and here I am, yapping on again about what to do if we're not writing, because this is an ongoing problem for all of us who:
Want to write,
Think about writing,
Wish we were writing,
YET ARE NOT WRITING!
Since you signed up for this list, I'm betting there's a decent chance you know what this is like.
Maybe sometimes, like me, you get overwhelmed. With work. With crappy health crap. With pandemic bullshit. With a looming World War III and unexpected closures at your kiddo's daycare and the grocery store selling out of your favorite chips.
Sometimes something has to give.
Do you know that feeling?
Do you know what it’s like to want to write... and not.
To think about writing, and what you’d say, and how you’d challenge thoughts and ideas, and how your words would motivate, encourage, inspire, and change the world... but do nothing.
It’s god damn demoralizing. Isn’t it?
When you want to write and you don’t. When the words don’t come out. When your ideas are just... constipated.
It’s gross.
So many of my clients have experienced that. They know they have something to share and they're frustrated they aren’t getting their words into the world.
I feel that frustration, too. It’s how I’ve felt as my personal book draft sat gathering digital dust.
But dwelling in constipation doesn’t do us any good.
So here’s a novel idea. Why don’t we forgive ourselves? Why don’t we stop squirming in discomfort and be okay with the fact we’ve failed to write?
Why don't we forgive ourselves for not writing?
What's the worst that will happen if we forgive ourselves?
Perhaps you think letting yourself off the hook means you won’t be motivated to actually do the thing. It’s a fair concern. But let me tell you my experience.
Once again, I have told myself it is okay that I haven’t written like I wanted.
Yeah, I’m disappointed in myself for doing this thing I dream of. But it’s not like anyone died because I didn't put pen to paper. (Fingers to keyboard?)
So I decided it’s okay.
Then I felt lighter. Less beaten down. Less like shit.
And with the pressure lifted, I suddenly felt inspired. And my mind is whirring with ideas for my book again. I feel excited about it again.
What about you?
What would happen if you stopped beating up on yourself for not writing your book?
How would it feel to be nicer to yourself?
Can you let yourself off the hook? Even just for a short while.
Maybe, if you did, you’d slack off totally and never write again. But if you’re not writing now, what difference would it make? You’d just be a bit—god forbid—less miserable. Happier. Lighter.
And maybe you’d be inspired. More motivated. Better able to make time for writing.
Give it a shot. Forgive yourself. I have. And I feel more motivated for it.
Thanks,
Liz "Let's Be Okay" Green
Editor, Book Coach, and Ghostwriter
Green Goose Writing
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