As a writer, I’ve experienced my fair share of obstacles on the harrowing journey of drafting a new story. At the most inopportune times—usually when a deadline looms—writer’s block strikes or any of life’s other obligations can get in the way. While I flit around running to school events, attending church functions, or seeing to the endless list of chores at home, I can almost see the blinking cursor of my word processor every time I blink.
But what happens when a writer simply doesn’t want to write?
A few weeks ago, I began drafting my next novel, the fourth and final in my Laurel Cove Romance series. The story quickly took shape in my mind, and before I knew it, I was five chapters in and loving every word. Then, suddenly…nothing. Nada. Zip.
My mind became a blank slate, void of creativity. The characters grew silent. Not a peep. And, what was even stranger, I’d completely lost the desire—that pull—to get back to the story. This wasn’t a case of writer’s block. I know where the story goes next; the ideas are there. And, at least in this case, time isn’t the issue. I’ve had plenty of opportunities to keep up with my writing schedule.
I simply haven’t wanted to write.
After several days of wrestling with the guilt over abandoning my post, I figured it might be a good idea to investigate the why behind this shift. Why don’t I want to write?
At 40 years old, I’ve discovered many things about myself that I didn’t take the time to recognize in my younger years. For example, I tend to be an all-or-nothing person. When I initially get excited about a new project or idea, I give it 100%. For a while, I’ll give it my all. I guess you could say I’m a sprinter.
There’s nothing wrong with being a sprinter unless you’re running a marathon.
In the past two years, I have written and published four books. I’m releasing a novella in the Christmas in Mistletoe Square collection, and am signed on for two other upcoming collections that’ll release within the next year or so. Add the Laurel Cove novel, and I’ve been running as fast as I can in about four different directions. I’ve set a sprinter’s pace in what is clearly a marathon race.
It’s no wonder I’m tired. It didn’t take me long to recognize this black-out of creativity is actually a bit of burn-out.
So, what do writer’s do when we don’t want to write? There’s a popular school of thought in the writing community to “just write.” Put your rear in the chair and just do it, Nike-style. For me, that doesn’t work. Instead, I choose to rest. I give myself the space to still my mind and my fingers. I remind myself that there’s no story worth publishing if it costs me my health or sanity. I adjust deadlines if necessary. (That’s one major beauty of independently publishing!)
Burn-out isn’t unique to creatives. Everyone experiences burn-out from jobs, hobbies, Netflix shows following a binge, and even meals on the usual dinner rotation. How do you handle feeling burnt out? Do you plow through or give it a rest? Are you a sprinter or a marathon runner through life?
I hope you know you’re not alone. I’m slowly getting back to writing, but a slow and steady pace that I can sustain. We’re just not built to sustain 24/7 hustle. We were created in God’s image, and even He needed to rest after creating. Let’s not forget to rest, friends.
GIVEAWAY!
One other thing a writer can do when not writing is GIVEAWAY something to a reader! Comment below for a chance to win one of my Laurel Cove Romance books (your choice)! One reader will be chosen at random on Wednesday, September 1 and notified by email. This giveaway is open to US and international readers. Good luck!
Teresa Tysinger is an author of Southern contemporary romance inspired by grace. She writes on the fringes of being a wife, mom, and full-time communications professional. Teresa is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, the Association for Women in Communications, and the Religion Communicators Council. She’s an introverted Enneagram 4 (if you know, you know) and loves coffee, traveling, and almost every genre of music. Born in Hawaii, raised in Florida, and educated in North Carolina, she now resides in Texas with her husband, daughter, and dog.
I handle it by taking a break and finding something I would enjoy doing but never do. I also like to go for walks to clear my mind .
I use reading and movies to rest my mind from burnout. And sometimes you just need to schedule those days off, even if they fall in the middle of the week.
Burnout is terrible. I’m just coming through a season where my mind and body said “enough!” I handled it by cutting way down on my commitments and only doing the things I absolutely needed to do. I rested, played, and prayed. Prayer was especially important to counter false guilt and the temptation to beat myself up for not being productive.
Because I am retired, I find myself on the other side. I tend to sit back and do nothing. I was volunteering for several projects, but because if health issues I had do do. So my husband and I decided that this us a great opportunity do start cleaning out am if the “stuff” that we’ve accumulated over 43 years of marriage. But, slow and steady us us we’re approaching the project, him lore not to burn out.
Praying for you!!
I’m an overachiever and after caring for my mom 9 months and her passing I’ve been working nonstop cleaning and sorting and now in the midst of canning season. I’m tired mentally and physically and just want to rest. Praying for you.
If I feel burnt-out I tend to take a break from doing anything similar to what caused the burn-out. Good luck with your writing!
Yes, long walks help me so much, too! Thanks, Lori.
It’s hard to listen to our bodies/minds, but you’re right!
Such a great reminder. I love the rest, play, pray! Thanks, Milla.
Watching for those opportunities is just as important. That’s great, Linda! Thanks for reading.
Thanks so much, Paula.
I’m in college so honestly every semester as homework and reading gets heavy I’m constantly tired.
I manage it by napping whenever I can now that we are in online classes … when I was in face-to-face classes I used to have to have a coffee or two in the afternoon.
Praying for you, too, Lucy. That’s a lot to work and live through. Hugs!
Thanks, Jessica. I’m hoping this small break helps me, too!
Gotta love naps! :) Thanks so much for reading along.
I relax by reading and making cards. There are a few times I’ve been too restless to read, so I’ll do something with the cards. Now, I ride my recumbent bike and pray and sing praise and worship songs when I get restless. It helps to stay active, just not the “normal” activities that weigh you down.
I’ve been there. Generally reading and not thinking about it helps. But when I’m truly burned out I’ve had to give myself permission to not write. It’s my full time job, so not writing is a big deal.
So true that everyone needs time to rest. Fortunately, reading is always an escape for me :)
Rest and self care until I am feeling refreshed. Also doing something for others simply as it makes me feel great is guaranteed to help refocus me. Enjoy the break and then enjoy the next sprint :)
I think with work, more often than not, I’ve just plowed through, especially when there was a deadline that had to be met soon, while also knowing I could have a few days to rest after it. But your mentioning burnout after binging shows on Netflix reminded me of the burnout I’ve felt after binge-reading a series or too many books in the same genre. Thankfully, I’ve found the cure to that is simply to read in different genres :) or just take a break (yes, even from reading) and focus on other things/hobbies. Still, thank you for the reminder that as much as society would have us think we’re made to always be on the go, God made us to have periods of rest, and to trust in Him.
I’m not a writer but I have those moments too…when you think it’s too much on your plate and you just feel exhausted and spent. Time to relax and spend more time with the Lord <3
I usually take a break, I tend to do things at a slower pace, which that is me. Everything happens at the time it is supposed to happen and we just have to take it at a pace and not rush it. Just like worrying, what’s the use of worrying especially if what we are worrying is out of our hands and out of our control. Just try to take it one day at a time and yes, takes breaks, as many as you need, especially if it is not an emergency or something that needs to be done urgently. Just remember the Serenity Prayer, I love , love that prayer. God Bless you and your family my friend. Have a great day and a great week .
Reading works to get my head out of something and relax my mind.
Today, I am not writing because I’m burnt out from editing. I completely feel this. Instead, I’m doing fun things like scheduling dr appointments and cleaning out my inbox. Ha!
And reading and resting. And I find if I work on something else creative, it tends to get those creative writing juices flowing, too. So, sewing may happen soon. Because I have a stack waiting for me there, too. ;-)
Hi, Teresa! I hear ya sister! One of the things that I have discovered (the hard way, unfortunately) is to be aware of your physical health. That may be a contributing factor more than you expect. I’m a creative and a sprinter, too, but God has made me slow down to marathon pace (with significant rest periods) by giving me health challenges. I am still learning about how to pick things back up in a productive way.
I have never been very good at just muscling down and “gittin’ ‘er done”. I have done that but it usually leaves me much worse off.
I guess one of the biggest lessons I am in the middle of learning is that we are loved by God, joyfully, caringly, happily, whether or not we are successful at our tasks. Are there critical tasks like parenting and meeting our critical commitments to others? Absolutely. However, if those critical things take all we’ve got, go climb up in your heavenly Father’s lap and let yourself be loved on. Fall asleep on His shoulder, wake up hungry and ready for a new day.
Now I need to go listen to my own pep talk. :-)
Oh yes, I love listening and singing worship songs, too! Thanks for that reminder, Trudy.
I am definitely at an advantage that my writing is a side-gig and I have less at stake if I break for a bit.
Reading ALWAYS helps! Thanks, Susanne.
Oh, I agree with you wholeheartedly about turning attention to helping others. Same goes for getting other things done: house projects, put-off tasks, etc.
I’m glad the reminder helped you as much as it’s helped me. Thanks for reading today!
Absolutely! Thanks, Natalya.
When you don’t want to write I think you have to take a break and re-center. I am not a published author but I write. When I don’t want to I take a walk, go sit by the river and try to relax or spend time with my newest grandson. All of that usually helps me change my mindset and get back to it.
Thanks, Alicia. Yes, the Serenity Prayer is awesome!
Always! Thanks Denise.
Yes, I love the idea of a different creative outlet. Thanks, Amy! And happy editing when you get back to it.
Thank you so much, Lincoln. Your words have blessed me today. We can encourage each other.
Absolutely! Sitting by the river sounds heavenly. I’ve found that a walk outside in nature is one of the best remedies for me, too.
I hope you have a restful time as you take a break
Man, I needed to read this so badly! I’ve been fighting the lousy feelings that are hitting me because I haven’t written my goals this week. But the only thing that will happen if I did write is I would burn out.
I’m glad I’m not the only one who can’t just keep writing.
I use camping, reading, writing, music, & games ways to rest. I like to write about my family life with movies for sure.
I like to spend time with my family when I’m burnt out. We like to watch Netflix or Disney+. I also like to play video games or go for a drive to relax myself.
Hey Teresa. I do jigsaw puzzles and watch mindless comedies for brain rest. Going for a walk by myself jogs my writer brain or mowing the yard.
I am late was to tired last night and things got in the way today (being told by a third party a post on my wall was negative to a something. When told I have to be careful and then told this person hadn’t seen it only told about it I was annoyed. I said what the post was for and how I was actually asking for help for a problem and suggestions not even about the thing I was being told of for doing) It kinda put me out of sorts.
I am good at starting things its the finishing I have issues with. I often start all guns blazing and then fizzle out. add I am a procrastinator. But one area I need to do is the garden its been left way to long and the past week and a bit with some nicer weather I have been able to do some and even if its wet I am doing a little each day (bin full for garden waste day next week). I like what I am seeing. Sometimes having a break helps to recharge. I would struggle to write a book. Doing a project in school I had great ideas of doing it early with time to spare and then I would be up the day it was due at 5 am trying to finish it. I tried so hard but I always struggled.
Rest is so important! Glad you’re able to take a break. I find I’m usually more the type that needs a kick in the pants to get started rather going too hard for too long. I think neither side is healthy when done in the extreme.
Thanks so much, Angeline!
Absolutely! It helps me, too, to know I’m not alone.
Great ways to unwind and reset. Thanks, Amy!
Yes! I’ve been rewatching some Marvel movies on Disney+ with my daughter!
Thanks, Shannon. I love puzzles too!
I’m a natural procrastinator, too! And I also love working in the yard/garden. Hang in there!
You’re so right, Melynda. Extremes are hard to sustain!
This is something I’m still learning how to handle myself. I tend to go all out too and I have a hard time stepping back and realizing when I need to take a break. I’m trying to get better though at realizing when I’m overdoing it and being intentional to just stop for a bit and relax.
Megan, it’s nice to know I’m not alone! Overdoing it is so easy…before we know it, we’re burnt out. Thanks for reading!
Right now I’m in a reading slump….which I am not liking one bit! I’ve picked up three books just to put them down within the first chapter. I LOVE reading & have never experienced what I call “reader burn-out”. I’ve tried switching genres, or trying a shorter story (novella) or any number of things to get myself out. So I think for a while, I may just stick with my Guideposts or Readers Digest magazines to help me. Maybe I just need something mindless to read to give my brain a rest.
As for being a sprinter or a marathon runner…..I like to finish what I start. I hate leaving a project or something undone. It feels like I can’t move on to something else until I do everything I set out to do (if that makes sense).
We all suffer from some sort of burn out now and then. For me, I just don’t touch anything to do with the burn out issue, but occupy myself with other things, and try catching up with people I haven’t seen for a while. Being retired, I have many friends still working, and it’s not easy for them to make room in their busy lives for me, especially as I don’t want to come across as needy!
I’ve been there with reading, too. And yes, that guilt of not finishing is tough! Thanks, Trixi.
Right…always other things that can use our attention in the meantime. Thanks!!
Thanks so much for sharing!
Thanks for reading! :)
There is nothing better than a good old nap. When I get overwhelmed with school work, student concerns, or even getting life together outside of the classroom (housework, etc) I find that I just need a nap. Or even just laying in bed and reading. Having time to just decompress helps me to be more productive.
Thank you for sharing. I look at nature, read a book, listen to music, meditate and become alone with the Lord. He opens my mind to so many possiblities. Thank you for sharing. God bless you.
I totally agree! Naps are awesome and rejuvenating! Thanks, Jessica.
All of those things help me, too! Thanks, Debra!