What to do when writing feels hard

[@TheSalMaris]

What works for me is to write for 30 mins on any subject at all--which almost always tends to be my reflection about what I'm writing, first thing upon waking. No, I usually make coffee first and then set an alarm for 30 minutes and then write. It's subtle but it works. Writing before the administrations of daily life envelops you is key here. Thank you for this.

[@authortaraeast]

There is SO much magic behind writing first thing in the morning! I've heard a number of writer say they literally go from their bed to their desk so that they are still in that 'dreamy' headspace when they start working.

[@lukewhitehurst9142]

Such a lovely video! When I’m feeling a load of resistance, I usually do a stream of consciousness specifically on paper. I will also take it easy on myself if I can on only get 400 words out, as opposed to 1,200-1,500. Basically, I give myself permission to relax during that session. Normally, I go through ups and downs, it’s all apart of being a writer I suppose.

[@authortaraeast]

Hi Luke, that's great that you're able to be flexible with yourself on the days when writing is not going well. I love the idea of stream of consciousness writing, which could assist with unblocking while doubling as a warm-up exercise. Plus, it could led to some realisations about the project! All great advice.

[@francineh.7825]

Great idea to journal about our manuscripts!! I felt resistance this evening actually, which honestly is no different than other day haha. What I sometimes do is imagine my resistance is an entity that is telling me I can't do this thing I should be doing so I automatically tell it back, "You can't tell me what to do!" And then I start creating 😅

[@authortaraeast]

Ha! I love that you personify your resistance in this way, I do a similar thing with my inner-critique. If I start think things like 'this suck. This is so boring.' Then I just okay, maybe it does suck and maybe it is boring, but keep writing anyway.

[@marymimouna]

THANK YOU! These were all very helpful suggestions.

[@authortaraeast]

I'm so happy it was helpful! :-) Happy writing.

[@anisnissa]

Thank you for giving actually good advices! Clicked on the video expecting usual "just write" things. But it turned out to be a great video. I am not a writer. But I work in a creative field, and I do have blocks and unproductive days. Things you said are easy to use in my work as well. Like with revisioning when doing an actual thing is hard, or not changing already made things when you get a new idea. Subscribing, hope to see more from you. And good luck on your writing! ♥

[@authortaraeast]

I'm so glad that the advice felt NEW and not repetitive. Thank you so much for the comment and best of luck with your creative pursuits!

[@livechangechallenge]

I’m finding music play list very helpful to my creativity and even some lyrics give me ideas 💡 😊

[@billyalarie929]

Can you clarify 9:22? Do you mean that there is a DANGER to the thinking of “oh no my original story was actually better” that is inherent in the temptation of going back to the beginning and rewriting everything to reflect the new path (I.e. that realization is actually a bad thing)? Or do you mean that that thinking would be a BENEFICIAL REVELATION, stemming as a result of actually soldiering forward, and not going back to make the changes to reflect the new direction? I hope my question makes sense!

[@authortaraeast]

Let me explain! :-) If you decide half-way through a manuscript to change something about the novel, I recommend writing *forward* with that change. Do not go back to the beginning and rewrite the work with that change in mind, because you may change your mind again, or realise that this change doesn't work, and you've now wasted a bunch of time making unnecessary edits to the work.

[@athab8256]

Great advice! Thanks!

[@authortaraeast]

Thank you! :-)

[@ZenHaircut]

But do you write from a set idea or do you imagine in a stream of conscious mode? What’s the longest you’ve been uncomfortable in front of a blank page?

[@authortaraeast]

I usually have some understanding of the scene that I am writing, such as, in this scene, this thing need to happen, or we have to learn this piece of information, or this argument should take place. The scene is then written very organically, driven by my imagination, but I do have a goal that I am trying to achieve or a direction I am driving the story towards.

[@autumn_glow]

Are you British?

[@BooksForever]

The sheila’s ‘strine, mate.