It’s been a very tough almost-year for most of us. Even if you’re in a country that did a spectacular job of dealing with the Covid pandemic (New Zealanders, I’ve got to admit I’m envious) … you might well have international family and friends that you’re worrying about.
Most likely, you’ve seen huge, unexpected, and unprecedented disruptions to your daily life over the past 10 months or so.
In the UK, we’re into our third lockdown. And this one feels like really hard work. Maybe it’s because it’s so cold and grey outside, or maybe it’s just that we were all so looking forward to saying goodbye to 2020 … only to find that 2021 is just “2020: The Sequel”.
This is a time to be kind to yourself. Here’s what that might look like, as a writer:
#1: Writing Just For Fun
At some point, early in your writing life, you started writing purely because it was fun.
Maybe that was when you were just a child. I think the first “book” I wrote was a story about a mouse, when I was 5 or 6. Or maybe it was as a student, or once your kids were in school, or when you retired.
When you’re taking your writing seriously – as I think writers should! – it can be hard to remember what it was like to just write for fun. Maybe you’re always thinking about what will bring in a paycheck, or what will sell to an agent, or win a competition.
This week or next week, take a little bit of time to write just for fun -- even if it’s just 10 minutes. (Though I hope you get a bit longer.) It’s not a waste of time: it’s a chance to reconnect with why you love writing.
#2: NOT Writing … And Not Feeling Guilty About It
Do you ever feel bad about not writing? I know I do. It’s a bit embarrassing to have a blog on writing and admit that you haven’t touched your novel-in-progress for two months.
But pretty much no writer is working all the time. It’s perfectly normal to have fallow periods when you’re not putting any words down on the paper. If you’re going through that right now, please don’t feel bad about it. Take some time away from writing – guilt free.
Over the past couple of decades, I’ve had several periods when I didn’t write fiction. (I’ve pretty much always done some kind of non-fiction writing as part of my education or day job.) When the time’s been right, I’ve always come back to it eagerly, with renewed enthusiasm.
#3: Doing Something to Support Your Writing
Sometimes, being kind to yourself might mean giving yourself the time and space (both mental and physical) to enjoy writing again.
You might want to get organized by clearing a space for your laptop, setting aside a shelf to devote to your writing books, or simply putting together a box of notebooks and stationary that you can use when you’re writing.
Another way to pave the way for writing is to create a routine or ritual that helps you get into the writing mood. Make sure this includes things you enjoy! One of my writing tutors, years ago, felt that coffee and biscuits were great aids to the writing process.
Ultimately, if writing is making you feel miserable or pressured, or if it seems like just another chore on an endless list, change something, and be kind to yourself.
