Writing Discipline-Beat Writer’s Block by Trading Discipline for Inspiration!

How to Overcome Writer’s Block & Finish Writing Your Book. Get Beyond, “Once Upon a Time!”

Need Writing Discipline to Conquer Writer’s Block?

By Deborah S. Nelson, Author-Book Coach-Speaker

As a writer, and in the role of writing coach, I am often asked,  “Do you have certain place and time that you make yourself sit down and write?” My answer is NO.

It is rare that I make myself write or struggle with “writer’s block”. But how can you quickly get yourself into that I love to write state?

Many writers wrestle with feeling they need to make themselves write. They may even create a writing discipline, such as writing at a certain time and place. Yet, the pressure is often too much and they fight to get something written. This may spark early symptons of writer’s block. Next, comes a struggle with the ensuing guilt for not being able to write. Go easy on yourself–writing should be fun!

Disciplined or Inspired Writing? Don’t Force it!

Inspiration Goes a Long Way for Conquering Writer’s Block!

This method makes take a little more time upfront, but will ultimately have you passionately searching for 15 minutes segments to write. This is what I call inspired writing. I am an inspired writer, and I never “make” myself sit down and write. In fact, I often need to make myself stop to take a stretch, food, or bathroom break! My writing projects seem never-ending and my biggest challenge is completing one project, so I can tackle the next. How can you do this? Prepare and nurture the creative soil of your heart and soul. The best writing comes from deep inside, and if you have not prepared the depths, you might find yourself sitting at a desk with all the nice tools with nothing to say–and serious case of writer’s block.

Deborah S. Nelson’s Top 7 Inspired Writing Secrets to Stave off and Completely Eliminate Writer’s Block

1. Never force yourself to write against your will unless you are in a job and have a deadline and your paycheck an livlihood depends on it.
2. Nurture your creative spirit with daily meditation, walks, prayer, and quiet time. Breathe in and breathe out. Contemplation is what feeds your writing.
3. Make a book cover first. When writing a book, formulate your concept, find a compelling image, and use Createspace Cover Creator to make a free book cover.
4. When an idea comes to you, grab a laptop, a journal, or a paper and pencil and write it down immediately. These inspirations will fuel inspired writing.
5. Banish guilt. Replace feelings of guilt with ideas to inspire. Guilt is a negative motivator, and the best writing comes from inspiration. Guilt can work, but for a limited time.
6. Fire the Critic: Get the real passion and real story on paper/in computer. Later, hire an editor or proofreader, or even do that yourself; but keep the writing critic away from your writing process. The critic stifles free flowing creativity.
7. Read this Psychology Today Article: Five Ways to Get Yourself Writing Today

Experience the exhilaration of BOOK COACHING during a trial session with Deborah S. Nelson. Click to schedule a complimentary half-hour—available Tuesdays & Thursdays from 12p.m.-6p.m. EST.

Replace Writing Discipline with Inspired Writing

There are those who advocate creating writing discipline by organizing the perfect writing area, and these make sense, too. If you are writing for a living, these strategies may not immediately apply. You may have a deadline and turning your article or story in is key to keeping your job. However, if you adopt these strategies gently over time, you may find that you are writing that article or book project before it is actually due, because you are inspired and not forcing yourself to write. Internal inspiration can take your writing much further than motivating yourself with negative consequences. Give yourself time and be gentle when implementing some of these strategies. I write thousands of words almost every day, because I am inspired, and can’t wait to get them on “paper.”

Sign an Intent to Self-Publish Agreement with Yourself

Intent to Publish Agreement

Are you ready to get started? Are you ready to take a leap of faith and make that commitment to publish your book? Then sign an Intent to Publish Agreement with yourself. Once you do that, or if even you aren’t quite ready … continue reading this article to get going; as this website also covers all the frequently asked self-publishing questions and more! 

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