Somehow, over an extremely busy weekend, I had three separate conversations with three different people that all ended the same way. I wish I could do what you do. At first, I was kind of baffled that these three people from different friend groups and obligations all felt the same way. How weird that I had a Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of this. And then I stopped and thought and got a little upset that life and other people’s opinions got in the way. I hate that this is such a common experience for creatives that I had to have this conversation three times.
I know I don’t have all the answers. I’m an author who strongly believes that no one has the exact same process and there is no advice that’s one size fits all. You have to figure that out for yourself. But I do know one thing: You can do this. It’s never too late to start.
Write for yourself: “My family always judged me for it. I wrote in secret and then figured there was no point.”
I’m lucky enough that I grew up in a family where everyone was writing. I didn’t have this familial pressure to stop. But I have gotten judgy comments from other sources. When you hear them enough, it does take a toll. It makes you question why you’re doing this and if it’s worth pursuing, especially without support.
I think sometimes we have to go back to square one.
If you want to write, if you enjoyed writing at some point in your life, then do it for you. It doesn’t matter what mom or dad or old aunt Bessie thinks. There doesn’t have to be a point or an end goal. Your happiness is up to you and if writing is a source of happiness, screw all the other opinions. Treat yourself. Do this one thing for you again.
Write for fun: “I haven’t written since high school. Maybe I just liked it because we had to.”
I went to school for writing. I had an English teacher in grade nine who encouraged me to keep going and I never looked back. But for a lot of people, once the English projects end, the writing also ends. And I get that. Life gets in the way.
I think there’s an association between writing and education that sometimes makes the writing part undesirable. We take language arts, which then turns into English for approximately twelve years. Then, we graduate, move onto post-secondary pursuits, and wonder whether we did something because we had to or because we liked it. There was structure in the writing we were assigned. That can be great for some and terrible for others.
Instead of viewing writing like an assignment that needs to be graded, just write for fun. Easier said than done, but a switching of the viewpoint allows us to open up.
If it’s been years since you’ve gotten anything on paper, get back into it by challenging yourself to write the weirdest thing you can possibly think of. Have fun. There’s no way to fail here.
Write without rules: “I can never get past the planning stage, so I just stopped.”
Writing for fun leans well here, as well. There’s a lot of writing advice that gets thrown around. Show don’t tell, write everyday, use this specific software to plan, don’t use the passive voice, write what you know . . . Sometimes it all seems like a lot. While some advice is useful, other pieces just adds more pressure. We put a lot of emphasis on planning out a story, but no one writes the same way. If something isn’t working for you and is keeping you from writing, you’re allowed to find another way.
Don’t limit yourself. Don’t listen to all the advice and just write the way that works for you.
One of the best courses I took in university was called Writing Without Rules. We wrote in second person, had to turn in a story we created in the two-hour class period, created pieces entirely made up of texts and letters. It challenged us to stop overthinking all the rules we’d been taught for years and years and get the words down. And after writing professionally for seven years, I can tell you that some words are better than no words.
You can work with no-rules words. You can’t work with a blank page. Write without rules until you find what works for you, then write within your rules.
Write when you can: “I don’t know how you have so many books out. I just don’t have time.”
I hate to break it to you, but no one has the time. Most authors have full time jobs or kids or family obligations and write on the side. I wrote this blog post from my phone on a Sunday evening, while sitting in the dark in front of a fan after melting in the heat outside all day. I squeezed that in because I was asked to do it. If you want to do this, you need to find the time. And a lot of that is just writing when you can.
I’ve found that writing before bed when the house and world is quiet is my most productive time. But I’ve also written in lines, waiting rooms, cars, and airports (I literally uploaded files at the airport for my book Not Actually), at family events and weddings. Some of that is just inspiration struck at an inopportune moment, but some of it is also me recognizing I had some downtime and writing instead of staring off into space.
I don’t always have time. I don’t always write. But I always write when I can. That’s all you have to do.
Five minutes is better than zero. At least it’s the tiniest speck of writing if you want to write. It’s something. And eventually little somethings build up into big somethings. Give yourself grace to take the time you need.
Just write
Write because you can. No one can write like you. No one take that away from you.
What tip would you give someone just getting back into writing?
About Maddie
Madeline Nixon has been a dog walker, a nanny, a baker, a shoe saleswoman, a chocolatier, and an editor, but the title she’s most fond of is author. She’s published one nonfiction short story collection about her paranormal experiences entitled Feathers, the Like A Love Song romance series, and a magical Christmas novella, Last Christmas I Love-Spelled Us Apart. She also has stories in several romance anthologies. When she’s not writing, you can find her hunting ghosts, planning elaborate theme parties, and baking new recipes. She lives in a suburb outside of Toronto.
16 comments on “Just Write: Why Now’s the Time to Begin Again”
Good advice for someone who wants to write but can't get started, whether it's because they think they aren't good enough, or haven't enough time, or many other reasons.
I started writing for me. I had no thought of publishing. Then I thought, 'Why not?'. I now have 11 novels, 3 poetry books and a recipe book published, with a 12th novel with my publisher, and another in the process of first draft.
I would say, if you liked writing at school, go for it. What have you to lose?
I wrote my first novel draft by sitting down for a half hour once per week while my husband was in church on Sunday morning. One of my first published pieces was an essay on "Juggling Time" written while my daughter had her after-school snack and did homework. My son was playing in the room.
In no particular order:
Just write is a great way to start. Develop your voice. Read in and outside your genre. Learn a little craft. Decide if you care to revise. Find a community. Revise. Publish for family and friends only. Submit for publication or to an agent. You can do any or all of these. You can learn the business. You can produce something just for yourself and hold is dear. It really is all your choice.
I love this post. Getting out of your own head when you write is so important to the creative process. And, I wish I could do it most of the time.
I think anyone who has the desire will find a way to make writing a priority, even if it is only for a few minutes a day. Any words on the page, not matter how few, is better than no words on the page.
Yes! I hope they do! Just having something to work with is so useful. And then eventually, even if it takes years, you have a book, which is such a great feeling.
2) Just write. Write about anything and everything; stream of consciousness writing. The ideas will come because of that writing.
3) Surround yourself with other writers. Join online writing communities. Read, listen, and apply what you learn. Experiment until you find your process, your writing zone.
If you really want to do it, don't talk about it, do it. Like you said, even if it's only 5 minutes a day. Writing one page a day--at the end of the year, you'll have 365 pages.
It's sort of silly, but when I can't write (my mainstream novel, end of my trilogy), I go to a 'Journal of Resistance, FEAR, concerns' in my Scrivener project for the book, and ask myself in writing what the problem is.
After a while of doing so, the answer usually comes up - and I'm also writing.
It's most often that I'm uncovering very good reasons NOT to write that need getting round of - research, some clarity about what I'm trying to do with a scene, an honest statement that I'm afraid to write what I really want because maybe my few readers will turn away from the story - anything that's the real roadblock lurking in the subconscious.
I always learn something, because that kind of fears have power only when unexplored, when they sneak around in my mind trying to 'protect' me. To keep me from taking chances in writing I need to take.
In the end, if I please only myself, it will be enough. And it usually isn't nearly as important a fear as it tries to pretend to be: I've taken plenty of chances without losing all my readers, and I hope it will continue.
But asking and answering IN WRITING makes me face the problems.
Love this mindset. I struggle with balancing my time and can get bogged down. The reminder to "write when you can" is so important! I need to remember it doesn't have to be complicated and that any writing is better than no writing.
One of the most inspiring books I ever read on writing was "Pen on Fire" by Barbara DeMarco-Barrett. She talked about using all those in between times, and gave very specific examples. I wrote 12 extra pages each week using her methods! (Highly recommend. 🙂 )
What a fun, inspiring post. I teach creative writing and hear the same comments from my adult students. Many were discouraged by their family, or disliked their high school English classes, and all don't "have the time." But...they signed up for my creative writing classes, where all we do is have FUN with no plans or plotting, no outlines or thinking. We just write, and the students end up saying, "I love to write!"
I've read some of the comments from this post. Thirty years ago I also thought I didn't have the time, nor the talent. I found both and have published two books of romantic suspense, three children's books, and one flash memoir. But now I need to stop procrastinating and write my next one. Thanks for the inspiration.
Good advice for someone who wants to write but can't get started, whether it's because they think they aren't good enough, or haven't enough time, or many other reasons.
I started writing for me. I had no thought of publishing. Then I thought, 'Why not?'. I now have 11 novels, 3 poetry books and a recipe book published, with a 12th novel with my publisher, and another in the process of first draft.
I would say, if you liked writing at school, go for it. What have you to lose?
I just wish I'd started sooner.
Congratulations!! I’m also a big “What am have you got to lose?” kind of person
I wrote my first novel draft by sitting down for a half hour once per week while my husband was in church on Sunday morning. One of my first published pieces was an essay on "Juggling Time" written while my daughter had her after-school snack and did homework. My son was playing in the room.
In no particular order:
Just write is a great way to start. Develop your voice. Read in and outside your genre. Learn a little craft. Decide if you care to revise. Find a community. Revise. Publish for family and friends only. Submit for publication or to an agent. You can do any or all of these. You can learn the business. You can produce something just for yourself and hold is dear. It really is all your choice.
Reading is such an important part of writing!
I love this post. Getting out of your own head when you write is so important to the creative process. And, I wish I could do it most of the time.
I think anyone who has the desire will find a way to make writing a priority, even if it is only for a few minutes a day. Any words on the page, not matter how few, is better than no words on the page.
Yes! I hope they do! Just having something to work with is so useful. And then eventually, even if it takes years, you have a book, which is such a great feeling.
My advice to any new writer is:
1) Don't compare yourself to anyone else.
2) Just write. Write about anything and everything; stream of consciousness writing. The ideas will come because of that writing.
3) Surround yourself with other writers. Join online writing communities. Read, listen, and apply what you learn. Experiment until you find your process, your writing zone.
If you really want to do it, don't talk about it, do it. Like you said, even if it's only 5 minutes a day. Writing one page a day--at the end of the year, you'll have 365 pages.
An inspirational article for any writer.
That’s such great advice! When you break it down like that 365 pages seems quite doable.
It's sort of silly, but when I can't write (my mainstream novel, end of my trilogy), I go to a 'Journal of Resistance, FEAR, concerns' in my Scrivener project for the book, and ask myself in writing what the problem is.
After a while of doing so, the answer usually comes up - and I'm also writing.
It's most often that I'm uncovering very good reasons NOT to write that need getting round of - research, some clarity about what I'm trying to do with a scene, an honest statement that I'm afraid to write what I really want because maybe my few readers will turn away from the story - anything that's the real roadblock lurking in the subconscious.
I always learn something, because that kind of fears have power only when unexplored, when they sneak around in my mind trying to 'protect' me. To keep me from taking chances in writing I need to take.
In the end, if I please only myself, it will be enough. And it usually isn't nearly as important a fear as it tries to pretend to be: I've taken plenty of chances without losing all my readers, and I hope it will continue.
But asking and answering IN WRITING makes me face the problems.
That’s so smart! I’ll have to try that next time I’m stuck on something (like now. My planned end doesn’t work with my characters now haha).
wonderful advice.
An inspiring post, with truth, humor and compassion. How awesome to be a person who can express so much, sweetly and succinctly. Kudos.
Love this mindset. I struggle with balancing my time and can get bogged down. The reminder to "write when you can" is so important! I need to remember it doesn't have to be complicated and that any writing is better than no writing.
Great post, Madeline!
One of the most inspiring books I ever read on writing was "Pen on Fire" by Barbara DeMarco-Barrett. She talked about using all those in between times, and gave very specific examples. I wrote 12 extra pages each week using her methods! (Highly recommend. 🙂 )
What a fun, inspiring post. I teach creative writing and hear the same comments from my adult students. Many were discouraged by their family, or disliked their high school English classes, and all don't "have the time." But...they signed up for my creative writing classes, where all we do is have FUN with no plans or plotting, no outlines or thinking. We just write, and the students end up saying, "I love to write!"
I've read some of the comments from this post. Thirty years ago I also thought I didn't have the time, nor the talent. I found both and have published two books of romantic suspense, three children's books, and one flash memoir. But now I need to stop procrastinating and write my next one. Thanks for the inspiration.
[…] Just Write: Why Now’s the Time to Begin Again […]