Trying

[kathleenfoucart]

In case y'all haven't been able to tell, I've been kinda blocked lately. No, not just lately. I've been blocked for months. Every once in while I get a good day of pushing the words out, but I haven't gotten lost in writing since February.

Comments

[jessica_shea]

I'm scared ALL THE TIME. I don't really have any advice for how to push past that fear and write anyway. For me, there are days where it's really impossible to make myself sit and write even when I know it may not measure up to XYZ (the idea in my head, editor's or reader's hopes for it, success, good reviews, other authors' accolades). Just - eventually, usually the weight of not-writing starts to drive me crazier than the fear/weight of expectations.

[kathleenfoucart]

*hugs* Thanks for the commiseration, boo! I definitely agree about the weight of not-writing-- I feel like I've been going crazy the last few months! Hopefully acknowledging it will snap me back to some semblance of ability...

[edgyauthor]

Fear is a nasty, nasty thing. It holds me back a lot of the time, too, whether it's for writing or artwork. I wish I could offer some advice on conquering it, but except for "deprive yourself of sleep so you're numb to the fear," I don't really have any, haha. Good luck conquering your own fear so you can get back to writing as much as you used to!

[kathleenfoucart]

Heh. I've thought about the sleep deprivation thing, just haven't tried it yet ;-) Might be next on the list!

[edgyauthor]

It does oddly work, even if it is an unhealthy direction to go. XD

[jennygordon]

[kathleenfoucart]

Aww, thanks Jenny! I'm glad it feels brave to you, because it definitely felt somewhat like admitting defeat to me... But I guess sometimes that's what we have to do to move on, isn't it?

[jennygordon]

[tinachristopher]

*HUGS* I'm with Jenny, this is a brave post and by no means admitting defeat! Knowing and admitting to fear is the first step to kicking its bum.

Have you thought about stepping away completely from anything you've written over the last year and trying something new and different? You grow as a writer with every word you write. You've struggled with Accursed for some time now. Maybe you're too close. It's difficult to see how special you are when you're surrounded by unhappiness and the feeling of not quite right.

The last story I wrote was a different length, a different genre and not part of a series. It was the first time in some time that the words came freely and beautifully. I love this story.

Maybe rediscovering the fun of writing will help you to go back to Accursed with new confidence...just a thought;)

[jennygordon]