Scribe Hard

Writing can be fun, but it also comes with its own fair share of challenges. Like, I don't know, a blogging website that changes your font size. Just as an example.

As a writer, I come across the standard fair of obstacles that all writers do. So, as a way to explore those common issues and hopefully help aspiring writers, I'm going to break down the big names and offer some advice on how to combat those obstacles.

-#1; The Tools-

Before I wrote books, I had this picture in my head of what "writing a book" was supposed to look like. I imagined myself with a laptop at a coffee place, using their free wifi and overpriced drinks to fuel my creative drive. I once thought I needed a dedicated office, or a special chair, or one of those desks that can move up or down depending on if you're standing or sitting.

But all of that was wrong. I use a laptop and Google Doc for writing, but I keep notes on my phone. I have plenty of pens, pencils, and notebooks if I ever want to go analog. And I have a place in the house I feel most comfortable writing in. I know I am privileged with resources, but your greatest tool is your mind.

So, if you want to write, but you think you lack the tools, grab a pencil and paper and write short versions of your ideas that you can fully flesh out later.

-#2; The Body-

I am not a healthy guy, but physical aptitude isn't the most important thing about being a writer. I'd still say its an aspect of it though. If my wrists cramp up-I try to waggle my hands around until the feeling goes away. If I start to doze off or lose focus while writing, I'll take a break. I'll go outside for a minute, or do a house chore, maybe take a shower. Something that doesn't shut my brain off completely, but nothing too distracting. I typically hit in a hardwood chair at my dining room table, because it's comfortable, but not so comfy that I might fall asleep or slouch or anything. You should be kind to your body and understand that sometimes it just needs a reset before you sit down to write again.

-#3; The Block-

Okay, this is easily the most common. Writer's block. Now, if you don't believe me; I understand, but honestly I don't get writer's block. I have the opposite issue where I have so many ideas that I can't decide what to work on. When a book idea gets past the bullet point phase and I can sit down and write it all out, filling out the middle isn't hard. As long as I remember where I'm going and what characters are going to say or do.

Whenever I have an idea; I write a note in my phone of the basic grab of the idea. Like, before I wrote "Ravenous", it was a note in my phone that read, "fantasy chef adventure". Before I wrote "Life After Bellhopping", it was a note that said, "The Beauty & The Beast, but there's a guy who's into being an object". Little pitches than I can expand on later. Writer ropes to climb up around the writer's block.

-#4; The Drive-

Okay, this is my BIGGEST obstacle. I have a lot of trouble with motivation. Having a million ideas for books is kind of pointless if you can't bring yourself to write them. Sometimes I'm too tired, or there's something I'd rather do, but more often than anything I just can't get myself in front of the laptop.

I can sit here and I can open the doc, and I have an idea of what I want to do, but my hands just don't move. The words just don't come to me. I know I want to write, but wanting isn't enough to motivate me. Just another thing that messes me up.

I don't have a solution this. Sometimes walking away from the laptop and doing something else helps, but other times I just need to let the waves come and go. Like, the motivation will come when it does, but I can't force it. It's not forcing yourself to exercise or do chores, it's just a feeling with no form. The motivation to write, to some of us, is as free as the breeze.

Thank you for reading.