To Write or Not to Write?

When I finally decided that I was a writer, I read every piece of writerly advice I could get my hands on. Overwhelmingly, writers, professional writers, advised writing every day. For hours. And while I wished that advice worked for me, I decided on a different approach.

Don’t write every day. Or if you do, don’t make it all about “The Project”.

There are days when I’m just itching to write (I blame my many notebooks and addiction to pretty pens), but can’t come up with a single idea for my current novel.

First, don’t panic—it worked for Douglas Adams, it can work for you.

Next, get a “junk journal” which hopefully isn’t ugly—something fun where you can get words on a page that don’t have to mean anything. (Sometimes I use it to write down the lyrics of whatever earworm I woke up with and can’t shake).

Last, give yourself credit for putting pen to paper. That intentional act is a kind of victory considering so much of what we write on a daily basis is disposable and ephemeral—i.e. texting, quick jot emails, or clicking a heart to convey delight.

Too often guilt and shame either keep writers coming back to a page that should be set aside, or conversely away from the page because nothing “worthwhile” is coming to mind.

So my advice—don’t write every day. Doodle. Ramble. On paper. With a pen. No erasing, only cross-outs. You’ll likely surprise yourself with fresh ideas for your Project.