If you have been writing for some time, chances are you have come across times when you feel you should do more, but are totally unsure of how to proceed. If you haven’t yet, you will. It’s always easiest in the beginning because everything feels new and nothing has yet grown stale.
There comes a time in all things, however, when the steam in our metaphorical engines begins to run low. At those moments, I might argue it is more important to understand what is happening and why, which then makes it clear what precisely one needs to do. Taking breaks, looking at what we’ve done so far, and trying something new might be just relief one needs.
However, what if you’ve not been writing for some time? What if you’re just starting out and don’t know where to begin? Well, that’s another issue. You’re definitely not tired if you’ve not yet begun. Instead, you may be unsure of what to do because you literally don’t know what to do.
After all, you haven’t done anything yet. In this case, it can be helpful to consider what kind of writing you have enjoyed from others. Also, brainstorm ideas of your own. Lastly, consult an experienced writer for guidance on what precisely to do.
Let’s take a look at each of these issues, similar as they are, yet quite different in the approach to addressing them.
When You Run Out of Ideas
Just like the muscles, the mind can get tired. A man wears himself out after a big push. It may help to envision a gas tank in a motor vehicle. As it runs, gas is used. When that happens, the tank grows closer to empty. When the tank is empty, the combustion engine no longer functions. At that point, the tank must be refilled with fuel in order for it to function again. The only question remains then, how do we metaphorically “refill our tank when it is empty?”
Moments like those, often we humans just need to take a break to restore our energy, whether physically or creatively. That can involve trying something new, or examining work from the past. The main focus is to pause the present flow of content creation or whatever it is you normally do, opting instead for a change a pace.
That may sound so simple, and in fact, it is. It may not be easy, but neither is it complicated. The best cure for things like “writer’s block” may be to simply take a break and do something else. That is difficult if you have put yourself in a position where you feel you need to perform and time is running out. In those moments, there is tremendous pressure to keep going even if that is the worst possible thing to do, hence why it can be so hard.
“Remember the Sabbath day (Day of Rest) and keep it holy.” – Exodus 20:8
One last thing I would recommend is to have a reserve bank of sorts to fall back on. In keeping with the gas tank analogy, this would be like a small gas can you could use to fill up the tank on to the go. In practical terms, this means having some pre-written pieces ready for publication several cycles in advance of whatever your schedule is. These can be shorter pieces than usual, taking less time to produce. In fact, that may be imperative due to their nature as something you can use for such purposes. You don’t want to be keeping your best work in reserve, necessarily.
That is not to say such pieces should be sloppy. No. Never should you be producing anything of the sort, but rather, always should you be delivering your best work. “Whatever you do, do it heartily as unto the Lord, not to men.” – Colossians 3:23
“Whatever” means whatever, no exceptions. In my case, when I was posting weekly to this blog, I would fall behind at times due to unexpected schedule changes and so-called “writer’s block.” In this instances, I would have several poems written ahead of time which I could post when I had nothing else to present. Poems are short, easy pieces to produce when you have a lot of experience writing them, and they are something I can consistently ensure is of a high quality. As such, they make the perfect content to fall back on for me.
Likewise, we should all store up more than we need in times of abundance, or great creative energy, so that we have some to spare in times of great lack. For it is written, “During the seven years of abundance, the land brought forth bountifully. During those seven years, Joseph collected all the excess food in the land of Egypt and stored it in the cities.” – Genesis 41:47-48
In your case, you may need articles, video scripts, comics, or any other number of things. Whatever it is, make sure you have some savings to use on a metaphorical rainy day; written content that is “evergreen” and thus can be posted whenever to satisfy your audience. If you are part of a team, you may have someone who can step in and take your place for a day or week when you cannot come up with something.
The point is, always be ready to keep your consistent schedule, even when you yourself are unable to deliver . This preparation will allow you to take the break you need when it is sorely necessary.
To recap, when you’re unsure of what to write and have written lots before:
- Take a break
- Examine past work
- Try something new
As the Lord warns [and comforts] us through Solomon, “There is no end to the making of many books, and much study wearies the body.” – Ecclesiastes 12:12
It is a comfort to us writers to know there is no end to the making of many books, for such is our passion, and a good passion is one that can be pursued to no end. Nevertheless, as much study wearies the body, so too do we need to know when to take a step back and give ourselves a break.
When You Don’t Know Where To Start
The guidance I have offered up to this point has primarily been geared toward those who already have a habit of writing. If you have written lots before, and are feeling stuck, you’re probably just tired and need a break.
However, what if you’ve never written before and aren’t sure where to start? Well, that’s a different story. After all, you can’t be tired of something you’ve never done, so the issue must be something else.
I know in my experience, when I am beginning something new, I often don’t know what to do because I haven’t developed a practice of doing it yet. That makes me unsure of where to start. At that point, I have found the best thing to do is look to those who are doing what it is you’re attempting to begin and imitate them.
This works for writing just as it does with anything else in life. As the Lord tells us through the hand of Paul, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” – 1 Corinthians 11:1
So study past works from others you have enjoyed. Your goal will be to understand what about them was good and caught your fancy. This is for two reasons. First, if you can do the same, the work you do will benefit others in that same way. Second, if it interested you, then doing work in the same vein will be what you are passionate about and can do a good job in.
I would be remiss if I didn’t also mention the age-old tactic of brainstorming ideas. Once you have some notion of what you might want to write about, it’s time to begin the planning stage. Many people skip this and go straight into drafting. However, I would caution against that, as it can lead to you writing in circles until you burn yourself out, thus leaving the project unfinished.
Whatever way you decide to do your planning is up to you. The options are many. I like to use an outline, although some may consider that more of an advanced strategy. Idea mapping, free association, creating a collage, etc. Find whatever works for you and makes things enjoyable. If it’s engaging, you’ll be more likely to do it and do it well. If it’s boring and seems like a chore, you’ll find every excuse not to do it.
You may even ask someone experienced with the activity where and how to start. Seeking the advice of a teacher helps jumpstart many things. In fact, this may be the best way to go about getting started, and we all probably resort to this in one way or another. After all, if you study the work of others, you are consulting an experienced writer. So too if you look up writing prompts for guidance. It is just an indirect method.
Going to an experienced writer directly, however, is often the quickest, easiest, most efficient way to get started. A person who knows you and can interact with you will be able to give specific feedback and personalized assignments. That is infinitely better than any writing prompt you found online but must now utilize all on your own. A teacher can tell you what to write, look at what you’ve done, and then tell you how to improve. That may be intimidating, but the expediency of it is beyond any other measure.
After all, as we know, “A poor, yet wise lad is better than an old and foolish king who no longer knows how to receive instruction.” – Ecclesiastes 4:13
So, to reiterate, if you’re unsure of what to write and have NOT written lots before:
- Study past works you enjoy
- Brainstorm ideas of your own
- Ask an experienced writer for guidance
Again, the Lord warns us through Solomon, “Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.” – Proverbs 12:1
If you don’t know what to do, it may be that you literally don’t know what to do. In that case, don’t be afraid to ask someone who does.
Give Not Into Fear
What I would say to both the weathered writer, worn down by the waves of time, as well as to the novice who knows not which way to go, is this:
Do not be afraid to do what must be done, whatever that may be. For doing something is better than nothing. We can all improve upon something. However, it is a painful misery to attempt to draw out goodness from nothing at all.
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