I have a humble confession to make. I have my annual case of “writer’s block.” It seems to happen to me every year, around the fall. Sometime between mid-October and early-December, the gears grind down and I find myself in a place where the inspiration runs dry. The only time it didn’t hit me bad was in 2010, when I entered National Novel Writing Month to write Splinter, and that’s because a combination of tendinitis in my right wrist and a major work move prevented me from writing over the spring and summer months. I was forced into hiatus between those events, so I was brimming with ideas for this novel once November rolled around. But otherwise, I usually grind in the fall, and don’t crank back up until after the confetti from New Year’s Day is cleaned up.
It’s become a bit less of an issue now that I’m published, and can work on book publicity. The end of the year (and into the first few weeks of January) are prime “book buying season,” so it’s a great time to promote, which I do a lot of always, but especially at the end of the year. Still, promoting published works and writing new works are two different things. Thankfully, I’ll have the release of Splinter to keep me busy in a few weeks, but until then, I’m back in this awkward place of being used to writing new stuff on a regular basis and having nothing to write about.
I used to panic when this annual case of writer’s block hit me, but I’ve learned that it’s a natural cycle for me, so I accept it and use it for good. I use the time for promotion, and taking in life to replenish the well of inspiration once I get around to writing new things again. I’ve learned to work with it, but it still doesn’t completely erase the “weirdness” of not writing, or of struggling to write even a Facebook post of a blog like this without scratching my head and thinking it’s all crap, because I’m forcing it. Yes, even the blog entries come harder when this writer’s block sets in.
Well, such is the natural of life. Writer’s block is no myth, contrary to some popular belief. It does happen, and I believe it has a function. It seems you have to experience life to have new things to write about. I suppose my “fall hiatus” is my muse’s way of telling me to slow down and get ready for what comes next.
That’s all today. Have a great rest of the week.
Bye!
It’s become a bit less of an issue now that I’m published, and can work on book publicity. The end of the year (and into the first few weeks of January) are prime “book buying season,” so it’s a great time to promote, which I do a lot of always, but especially at the end of the year. Still, promoting published works and writing new works are two different things. Thankfully, I’ll have the release of Splinter to keep me busy in a few weeks, but until then, I’m back in this awkward place of being used to writing new stuff on a regular basis and having nothing to write about.
I used to panic when this annual case of writer’s block hit me, but I’ve learned that it’s a natural cycle for me, so I accept it and use it for good. I use the time for promotion, and taking in life to replenish the well of inspiration once I get around to writing new things again. I’ve learned to work with it, but it still doesn’t completely erase the “weirdness” of not writing, or of struggling to write even a Facebook post of a blog like this without scratching my head and thinking it’s all crap, because I’m forcing it. Yes, even the blog entries come harder when this writer’s block sets in.
Well, such is the natural of life. Writer’s block is no myth, contrary to some popular belief. It does happen, and I believe it has a function. It seems you have to experience life to have new things to write about. I suppose my “fall hiatus” is my muse’s way of telling me to slow down and get ready for what comes next.
That’s all today. Have a great rest of the week.
Bye!
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