How to Keep Writing No Matter What
A little while ago I was invited to be a panel guest on the topic of “How to Keep Writing No Matter What” at the Lesley University MFA program, where I got my MFA a number of years ago. I faced an auditorium of MFA students who no doubt strongly believe that they will defy the odds and continue writing after they no longer have regular deadlines and faculty giving them tons of helpful feedback and encouragement.
Frankly, many of them won’t. Without that structure, they will stumble. They may be tired after two years of the grind of doing an MFA on top of their job, family, and other responsibilities. They may realize they have a lot more work to do before they have a book/script/collection ready for publication. This may lead them to feel badly about themselves, to wonder if they’re a “real writer.”
So, what advice did I give them? Pretty much the advice I give any writer - including myself!
You are going to have to work to maintain any good habits you have developed, whether through an MFA program or elsewhere. I compare it to working out: there are plenty of days when you are not going to feel like doing it, because it’s hard work. But there is no substitute for that hard work if you want the results. The blunt truth is, you can make excuses all you want. They may indeed be valid excuses. Time and energy are finite resources in a day. Which leads to:
Prioritize your writing. Again, no way around it. We all have many competing demands on our time and energy. We may have to consider mental and/or physical health issues. But if you don’t prioritize your writing, it will not get done. You will be stuck in an endless loop of “I should write” and constantly beat yourself up over it, which leads to a negative mindset that makes you even less inclined to write. You have to make a commitment to doing it, however that looks for you. You aren’t in competition with anyone. Which leads to:
Schedule your writing. I say this ad nauseam because it’s true. What’s not in your schedule, on your calendar, and treated as sacrosanct (barring actual emergency), gets pushed to the bottom of the To Do List – and frequently right off it. 15 minutes a day? An hour, 3 times per week? Whatever you can do, do it. Which leads to:
Set a writing goal, even a tiny one. Some days when I work out, I feel strong. I can do more reps, dig deeper, push harder. Other days, I’m happy I showed up and did something. If you have a Minimum Viable Goal, that will at least get you started. You may think it’s laughably small, but that is the point. It’s so small your brain doesn’t have the chance to kick up a fuss and list all the excuses why you shouldn’t do it. And any progress is good progress. As my Buddhist teacher says, “Even a drop in the bucket eventually fills the bucket.” Which leads to:
Make a habit of at least checking in with your work every day. If you are honestly too tired to write, or can only grab a few minutes, at least reread what you last wrote. Jot down a few notes on what comes next. Even just opening the doc on your computer or in your notebook connects you to the work, and reminds you of its importance – and its existence. It will keep your unconscious mind working on it as well. Otherwise, it is all too easy to let it slide for days... weeks... months... and it gets harder and harder to get back to it, and you’ve forgotten the details, and what you wanted to say. Which leads to:
Check it off physically when you’re done writing for the day. An app may work for you, but there is also something satisfying about actually using a pen and paper for this. However you do it, it creates a visual record you can see and be reminded of your commitment. If you use pen and paper, know the connection between your hand and your brain is real. Many studies on the neurobiology involved confirm that it helps you visualize your goal, and has two purposes in the brain: External storage, i.e. putting your goal where you can see it, keep it top-of-mind. And Encoding, which is the process of making sure something gets marked as “important to remember” in your brain – an obvious benefit. If your brain considers it important, you will be more inclined to do it! And remember:
Focus on process, not outcome. You have control over whether you write or not, how much or how often you write, how well your write, and whether or not you put your writing out there and market it. You do not have control over the publishing industry, sales, or how your work will be received. Focus on WHY you started writing in the first place. You have to write because you love it, because you need to, because you have something to say... and you love the constant learning, growth, surprises, of the creative process. And also...
Realize fear and self-doubt are beasts to be tamed, not killed. They will always be there, and that is a good thing. Befriend them. Learn to let them spur you to your best work. But don’t let them take over, and prevent you from writing. You have to master your mind if you are going to live a creative life. Also, although it’s almost irresistible, don’t compare yourself to others. Everybody has their own path. Comparison can lead to jealousy, self-doubt, and a negative spiral that makes you think “Why bother?” Be happy for others’ success, and know that it is not a zero-sum game. It also helps to...
Remember to play. There are times when writing will feel like drudgery. When you’re “over” a project, or out of ideas. That’s when it’s time to experiment with different genres, do some fun writing exercises, grab a prompt and just go with no thought for the outcome or trying to make it a masterpiece. Not every writing day has to be Hard Work. Again, when working out, some days I just dance. It gets the cardio in and I still have fun – and I’m more likely to be in a good frame of mind for the next tough workout. Another way to play while developing your skills is...
Continue to take classes, workshops, etc. You may not always want to do this, but it allows you to hone your skills, meet other writers, and stay motivated. Make sure you do these according to your writing level. There are so many online classes and workshops now as well as in-person, that you don’t have an excuse not to. Grub Street, The Loft Literary Center, UCLA Extension, Gotham Writers are all good possibilities. Which also helps you to...
Be part of a community. This can be a community of two (accountability partners), a writer’s group, etc. Writing involves being alone with your thoughts for long periods of time. You need other people to help keep you sane. They may or may not give you feedback. Sometimes you just want the support and accountability. Know what you need when and don’t be afraid to disengage with people or groups that are not working for you.
If you keep these things in mind, you are much more likely to continue writing, no matter what happens in your life. We all have challenges, excuses, and fallow periods. These ideas will help you stay focused and stay writing through all the inevitable ups and downs.
