Creatively Unmotivated?

Hey fellow writer - how is your writing is going at the mo?

Are you forging on through the year like a trooper or are you throwing down your pen in a snit until you feel like picking it up again?

Honestly? I’m generally sit somewhere between the two…
We live in tricky times to be sure. Distractions are everywhere and writing is hard work with no guaranteed outcomes. Most creative people I know are challenged by a lack of motivation at some point on their writing journey. 

But if you’re experiencing a “flat” period in your writing – there’s no need to beat yourself up. 

Here are my top tips to help you use this down time productively.

1. Assess whether this is “how it is now” or just a creative “dip”  
Before you start fretting that you’ve lost your creative mojo objectively assess the situation.  You’ll probably discover any lack of motivation has a lot to do with the current state of the world and what’s going on in your personal situation.

Or you might discover there’s a pattern to your creative energy – and that you always “dip” at certain times of the year.  Or, surprise, your creative flow dries up like week old bread when you’re stressed.

As always – it is super useful to step back and look at the big picture before you start beating yourself up for not being as productive as you’d like.

2. Take a Reality Check
Are your expectations aligned with reality?   As writers (and humans actually) we’re always telling ourselves where we should be and what we should’ve achieved by some arbitrary date.

We all do it but this self-criticism is really counter-productive.  Given recent times are as crappy as they are – how about cutting yourself some slack and giving yourself a gentle, do-able goal for the rest of 2022?

Want to be a more productive writer? Dive into our brand new book! Check it out here.

3. Take 5 Minutes to Focus on What You HAVE Done
When you’re feeling creatively blah it’s too easy to only see the failures and disappointments – which lead to making all sorts of negative assumptions about yourself.
So stop doing that and start focusing on what you HAVE done.  Grab a pen and paper and start writing that list!

Even if you didn’t finish what you wanted to finish – I bet you’ve made some forward momentum this year.  What have you learnt?
What craft elements have you improved? 
What have you mastered?
What knowledge have you gleaned about yourself as a writer? 
What connections have you made that will sustain you in the future?
What ideas have you had that you really love?

4. Remember How Lucky We Are
It is so great to be living in a country and situation where we have the time and opportunity to write. Plenty of people in the world just don’t have that luxury.  And we get to create things with words – how joyous is that?!

5. Remember That Your Creative Mojo Will Come Back
It's just a little out of sorts. So how about indulging in creative pursuits that you just enjoy - some fun activities with no attached outcome.

Carry on!

—

WANT MORE? CHECK OUT OUR UPCOMING WORKSHOPS CLICK HERE

FOR A HEADS UP ABOUT WORKSHOPS & ARTICLES - SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER CLICK HERE