On writing when you just can't be arsed

 Let's be honest.

 We've all been there.

 Every writer in existence had at the very least one day where they felt like just the thought of staring at a page full of words was too much. Where even thinking about it makes your brain hurt in ways you don't like.

 There might be all sorts of reasons for that. It can be a bad period, the inspiration just isn't there, you had an awful day and the thought of sitting down and thinking words is making your brain hurt.
 Or you're just a lazy fuck. I know I am.

I mean, if even Robert can be one, we all have an excuse, right?

 Then again, you don't always have the luxury to just lazy around. Deadlines are a thing, and to some of you commissions are another thing - while you might know what you like to write, not always you will like what you have to write. I know. I've been into that position a number of times.

What's the worst that can happen? It can't be that bad, right?

 Actually, it really can be. And I'm talking by personal experience, here.

 If you stop writing one day - and I'm talking about the whole thing, not even thinking about writing, or characters, and so on - you risk to go into a loop and keep avoiding that. The whole 'yesterday I didn't, so today I don't really feel it either' can get to you, and you end up like a floppy little blob on the couch trying to motivate yourself to do something.

This is gonna be you. No, it's not as fun as it looks. Trust me.

 And this is without counting the fact that you might have to deal with deadlines and so on. And that's some stress you don't really need. We're writers, we have enough of that already.

That sounds awful! Whatever shall I do!

 First, tell me to stop writing like an infomercial. I find it unnerving and I wrote it. Brrr.

 Second of all, don't fret - there are a number of ways I've found helped me get through these sort of slumps.

 1. Dedicate some time to at least think about your writing - you don't necessarily need to get words on paper, but develop it in your head. Character progression, scene ideas, etc. Even just scour the internet and use it as research. It's gonna help. It won't create a gap between the days you actually write something or not.

 2. Write shorts tied to your WIP - Maybe you're just tired of writing that character. You got a bit of a burnout. Why not explore the other characters? Hell, why not explore the world you've put them in? What's MC's best friend doing? And best friend's best friend? What is the baker of the auntie of your character's best friend's best friend doing? Allow yourself to think outside the main plot. Look at your world from other sides, and it might just help you get in the mood to get back to the main plot. They won't need to be published, or even seen by any other living being, but they kept you in motion.

 3. Text-based roleplay - I already talked about the benefits of the various kinds of roleplaying in my series dedicated to it, but especially in a slump it might need reiterating - text based roleplay is easy to find, easy to get into, and it's a good way to keep your technical writing in check. It can be a one off, just not to lose the habit of writing something creative, and then back to the WIP. BEWARE: Use with caution, since it can lead to burnout as well.

 4. Just take it easy and relax - Don't let this post make you panic about skipping a writing day or two. Burnout is a reality and can happen, and sometimes we just need to take a break. It's actually more healthy than forcing yourself to work. But it's good to keep in mind the possible drawbacks of it, just to make sure you don't fall into that loop. Remember: knowing the risks helps avoiding them. So just kick back, relax, do something else, ride the writing block out, but remember to get back to it.

But I have a deadline!

 Then that becomes a bit trickier. But there are ways around that as well. Especially if you're trying to write something that you don't fancy or feel, and if you do commissions that can happen - it's not your fault, or the customer's fault, it's a matter of not always knowing what we get into. On concept the idea they want you to write might be amazing, but in reality you might look at the blank page and don't know what to do.

 Here are some ideas:

 1. Try to weave in things you like - As writers, we know that a story is not just a scene: there are little details, little things that all compose a singular work of literature. Yes, you might have a specific guideline for that piece, but the rest is up to you: even something simple as having a side character, or a color, or a piece of something to describe that suits your fancy can help you get through it.

 2. Get technical - The work you're doing is not about the work you're doing. Make it about you. No, I'm not saying to completely ignore the guidelines, but to steel yourself and put yourself in a mindset that says 'I'm good. I'm capable of doing this. I might not like it, but fuck it, I can make even things I don't like writing work. Because I'm a fucking good writer.' Don't take the piece as a chore, take it as a possibility to showcase that yes, even what you don't fancy in your hands turn into bloody gold.

And trust me - you CAN do it.

 3. Focus on the end goal - These sorts of slumps, and this works on both sides, can make you lose track of what you're writing for. They can make you question yourself. Don't fall for that. If you're having a day like this, and you have a deadline and can't take a day off to avoid burnout, keep your mind steeled on the end goal. And this can be showcasing your talent, or some days - and yes, I know it might be heresy to say it outright because it's that part of the business we don't like talking about, I always feel icky about that part myself - the thought of being known, selling and getting paid for your work is a good incentive too. Don't feel ashamed of that. Don't sell yourself out, don't get sloppy just for a paycheck (look above - get technical, you're here to do GOOD work) but the trick is exactly that: work. If you want to make writing your work, that is an aspect too, and not something to be ashamed of. I mean, we all need to eat.

 Mind you, on that last part...it's not easy, quite the contrary. But keeping it as one of your goals can help. And when you've got the clock ticking and no saints to turn to, you can use all the help you can get.  

 So come on. We're writers. Let's keep doing what it says on the can, shall we?