Comments on: Wednesday Writers Workshop: Writing No Matter What

By: Jane Gassner

Jane Gassner — Mon, 07 May 2012 22:26:00 +0000

Lauren,
Sad that there isn’t a magic bullet that can get us through the “I don’t wannas”. I read bloggers that I like when I need a lift. Heather Armstrong at Dooce.com always gets me jazzed about writing.

By: Lauren Drabble

Lauren Drabble — Mon, 07 May 2012 18:35:00 +0000

This is exactly what I needed to hear today. I am literally doing everything on your list. The laundry is running. I’m reading other blogs, I’ve enjoyed my coffee and cookies. I did post to my blog today and this was the topic. To kick myself in the butt I made my blog public for the first time (it has been private since 2008) so I’m trying the ‘do at least one thing everyday that scares you’ rule.
To answer your question though, nothing always works. There is no magic bullet that makes me get through the “I don’t wannas” but a good general rule is to participate in something that inspires me. Even if that means re-reading something like To Kill a Mockingbird or listening to Damien Rice, again, just immersing myself in something creative can inspire me.

By: Jude

Jude — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 07:29:00 +0000

I like the idea of wine & cookies at any our.

By: Diane

Diane — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 00:18:00 +0000

When I am feeling like I don’t want to write, I write anyway. I use a technique I’ve used with hundreds of older learners: write for 7 1/2 minutes, timer set. Stop when the timer dings and you are done–or keep on writing. Either way you have put in time with pen in hand. And many terrific pieces come out of just this short writing period.

If topics are a problem, scout them out and write them on pieces of paper and put them in a hat. Draw one out each day and go with it.

By: janegassner

janegassner — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 20:28:00 +0000

oh god, work out? that’s work….!

By: janegassner

janegassner — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 20:27:00 +0000

Mark,
So your version of ‘I don’t wanna’ is ‘what’s the point with the little time I have.’ Same song, different chorus. And the answer, as you said, is making oneself do it anyway.

By: Barry Nora

Barry Nora — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 18:53:00 +0000

I go work out and clear my head.

By: Mark

Mark — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 00:20:00 +0000

I don’t really have an answer to your question … “How do I deal with the I don’t wanna?” There are times when I force myself and other times when I allow the distractions and ennui to keep me from it. I know I’m writing more now than ever and keeping at things more than I did before.
More often than not when confronted with the “I don’t wanna” it’s just a question of making myself do it anyway. Even if it’s just a blog post or a page or two on a story I’m writing. Something is better than nothing.
My biggest problem is not having the time I’d like to focus on writing. The biggest reason for my “I don’t wanna” is this … what’s the point if I only have a half hour or hour?