Lately, writing has not come so easily. In fact, I’ve been wondering if I will ever write anything worth reading again. I’ve been worried a bit by my lack of draw to the keys. My words seem stuck in a place I’m not allowed to go. I often write in pictures. I see something, and words flow from that picture. But lately, I’m not seeing any pictures either.
The thing is, writing is how I make sense of it all and, I’ve been feeling disconnected. Words seem slow to come and I am lost in a whirlwind of crazy trying to grab on to something to make it all slow down a bit.
So I do what I’ve been told. I “drop” down a few lines and I try. It feels like work and I hate that. Words aren’t supposed to be work for a writer, girl. I write, erase, write some more, and backspace over those words. It is like reminding myself how to breathe. Nothing feels natural about it.
I guess like anything, writing is itself a journey. Maybe this is a place in the road I’m supposed to stop and rest a bit. Perhaps the best thing to do is to quit trying so hard, breathe in and out, and listen.
What about you my friend? Have you ever been here? Do you know the feeling of being locked out from your own words? What is to be done about it? I’m listening…
{linking up here today}
Oh, you just described me to a ‘T’ –as of late. Is it strange I find comfort in not being alone in this? I’ve only been blogging for 4 months and have felt like I must have stepped on the wrong path somehow. lost the way He wanted me to go. *sigh*
but I agree with you. some times, He calls us to rest. refresh. soak Him in.
I’m striving.
Thanks for sharing your heart! Thanks for writing it, girl! ; )
All for Him,
Nikki
I think you are experiencing writer’s block.
Try this exercise called “freewriting”– take a few sheets of paper and grab a pen, set a timer for 10 to 15 minutes (your choice) and start writing– anything and everything that comes to your mind. When the time goes off, STOP writing and take a deep breath. Step away from your writer’s desk and do something relaxing before returning to your pen and paper/computer and then start on whatever you want to write.
The process of free-writing is supposed to clear your mind and remove any blocks that are preventing you from working on your latest writing project. An English professor used to get our minds ready for class by engaging us in this process at the start of class time.
Hope this helps! I will pray for you too! 🙂
Hope this helps!
Oh yes, I’ve been here. I’m quite sure we all pass through this place from time to time. In fact, I wrote a post recently about this very same thing titled Inspiration. Perhaps you’ll bless me with a visit? My favorite writing advice has always been that if I want to write well, I should begin by reading that which is written well. I can’t think of anything more well-written than the Word of God. That might be a good place to rest for a little while. 🙂 Blessings!
Well, you know me, NOT a writer or blogger…I’m a verbal processor. Sigh! But sometimes He causes me or asks me to be still from everything, talking included. Not saying this is true of you, but possibly He wants you to be still for a season. Maybe a few days. Maybe a week. Or month. Who knows? Or it could be writers block, like some have suggested.
Don’t write what’s not coming, from you or from Him. Only write what He wants you to, and be still when He wants you to as He may have a work to do in you for you to share when it’s time!
Oh friend, I have been there so, so many times. I’ve recently been inspired and uplifted by Anne Lamott’s words in her book Bird By Bird. She offers such encouragement about writing and that even when the words do not just flow, we’re still writers, real ones. Hang in there and just keep writing, whether you feel the words or not. Let me know how it’s going, okay?
I don’t know that writing has ever come easily to me! Words seem to eek out, instead of flow freely—so I get it.
Whether they come out easily, or not, God is using you and your words, Stacey!
Yes! Sadly, this is where I have been lately. And if I am going to be honest about it, I think it’s been years since the words have flown freely from my head and heart and out my fingertips. Something has felt so stifling. Right now I am at home, in the country — not my home with my husband, but my childhood home — and it’s like I can breathe. Last night I started writing and it was like whatever had been lodged in my throat was loosened. Praying that this remains.
Thank you for sharing today. It was something I really needed to read.
Stacey, It is so good to be re-connected with Write it Girl and thank you for all the resources. You and Katie are so generous. And I have to admit that it is interesting that at just the time you launch this, you have writers block. Perhaps your honesty will be the soothing balm someone needs today knowing they aren’t alone. So far, I have not had writers block but I do have days that are harder than others. And when those come I spend more time in prayer than ususal. Love your heart.
oh yes. there are days that nothing flows from me. seasons that words don’t seem to have a place. these seasons were not especially hard, or blessed..just there. I too have plunked down words and went eh, well. I guess that’s that. I find that there are only specific times that the words really speak exactly my heart.
i pretty much second katie’s comment … can i do that? 🙂 words never seem to flow from me either. they do in my head, but as soon as my fingers hit the keyboard, my words are dammed up. so i too, get it!
and dear sweet friend … your words {whether flowing easily or not} are full … so full … of sweet encouragement to so many! God IS using them … every single one of them.
i love you. i love your words. i love your heart.
I’ve definitely had weeks, months of writer’s block. I struggle with depression and sometimes it seems the voice of my depression is louder than the other voices in my life – my writing voice, or God’s.
I find that using prompts – like plinky.com, or Mama Kat’s Writing Workshop, sometimes helps spark something.
Oh yes. That is totally how I feel on more than one occasion lately. But in the midst of wrestling words out on the keyboard, God seems to use that time to write a lesson on my heart. Today’s post started last week, before a trial in which I needed to apply what I couldn’t edit well…because He knew I had yet to understand and needed the editing time to find the lesson, which still is more important that the words.
Thank you, Stacey, for sharing freely from your heart about your struggles at times with writing freely. I think in doing so, you are connecting with even more hearts, and that God is using you to be an encouragement. That He has you (and others of us) in that place (where it doesn’t come quite as freely) for a reason. For me, it’s usually a reminder to slow down a bit, and to listen more – first of all, to Him. And I find that He often has something of deep significance to impress on me, that He, in turn, wants me to write about.
I’m feeling the same way too. Cute shoes btw 🙂
Yes! I was in the same place and burnt out on life this past winter when I took a blogging break. It was hard…but I think I am finally getting back into the swing of things and writing for the right reasons.
Thanks for sharing your heart today and for building this #writeitgirl community!
Ok so I’m not the only one! I don’t know what to do during these times. They are frustrating to me. But to know I’m not alone, it is a journey is good to hear. I like you how said “just drop a few lines, anything”. That’s good. And just breathe. Yes, breathing is good! Thanks friend:)
Darling Stacey, just do not write for a bit. Take a hiatus and do some things you usually do not. Walk in silence with yourself or a loved one through some open space or woods. Bake some bread and knead any woes you may have into it. Find a labyrinth at a nearby church and walk it or create your own. eat something go somewhere wear something DIFFERENT. Stir up your life and stagnation in your writing should vamoose! Cuz we need you writing!!!!
Heather – I was thinking of going to the beach with my girls – but now I must have some homemade bread! 🙂 Thank you for your sweet words. I am letting them sink in!
Oh boy can I relate?? Some weeks I have absolutely nothing to say, nothing to write, blah!!!
I usually start praying and I spend time in the word. Even if I still have nothing, I’ve spent time with Jesus and that is awesome!
I enjoy all of your posts so keep writing!
cyndi
I do think there are seasons for things. Maybe this is a season for listening for you…but your words here are still beautiful and still nurturing for others… Thank you.
Stacey-
As I read this, I was nodding my head, because I could COMPLETELY relate. At times I wonder why I bother, and think perhaps I should just stop. But I’m not sure that I could do that. I need to write things down to get thoughts out of my head, at times.
Then, as I was reading the comments and saw others….writers who I respect and whose words speak to me….said that writing is not always easy for them, either.
I wonder, if maybe it’s not supposed to be easy. If perhaps, the words that you are speaking, Stacey, are so valuable because they did not just roll off your tongue, but because they were labored over, crafted & formed with care.
Thanks for speaking truth and for sharing real life.
I can so relate to this. One thing that helps me when the words aren’t flowing freely is to take a step back. To cease trying to make it happen. I sit and ask God for inspiration. Sometimes is takes a few days, or even a week, but He always comes through.
Thanks for writing this. I too can relate and enjoyed the comments as much as your post.
Found your blog from the WRITE IT GIRL link up!
:)Jamie
Oh! I totally know that feeling! I hope that in the process of “just writing” you will find your “muse” again…. 😉
I love your heart and authenticity in the words you’ve penned here. Every writer can relate. What you’re describing is such a natural part of the writing rhythm. Words are like life; they ebb and flow. If we trust the process, the words do come ~ sometimes at the most surprising times.
Thank you for hosting Write It, Girl. I loved it last fall, and I’m so excited you’re doing it again. 🙂
Hi Stacey,
I can relate. Sometimes the thoughts are there, I think I know what I want to say, but the words I write don’t make sense. The thoughts won’t come together on paper. So frustrating. At times I have to just step away from it for awhile. And I pray. Maybe what I’m thinking isn’t what God wants me to write. So I pray and wait. And He comes through. Every. Time.
Thank you for hosting round 2 with Katie!
In Christ,
Laura