I’m 34,447 words into ARROWS, my next novel, and each day I wake up with a smile on my face and words simply flow from my fingertips onto the page and when I read over them, I smile even more, and then …

Wait.

That’s not how it goes at all.

The truth is, some days, writing is really hard, it just is, no matter how glamorous a life you imagine I have. Writing is work.

And also my passion, and something that defines me as a person in a way I can’t fully grasp without my brain going “wooOOO!”

I love it.

But unfortunately, writing doesn’t always love me.

Sometimes, I get stuck.

Even if you’re not a writer, you’ve probably felt stuck at some point in your life.

When I’m stuck, I stop, stare, and the white pages seem endless. I wonder what happens next until I feel crazy, which makes me feel like a failure, because I’m the writer, I’m supposed to know these things. Somewhere in my head there’s a stash of next. 

No?

Here’s what I do.

I lay down, maybe for a short nap, or I’ll mull where I’m stuck before bed, not anxiously, but just to have it in my thoughts.

Then, I rest.

My body.

My mind.

I rest and I don’t feel guilty, even though there’s a PLACE I’M STUCK AND I COULD FAIL IF I DON’T FIX IT.

What happens next.

An idea comes. Maybe my anxiety had it blocked, or my mind needed some air to figure out the solution. I have a pad of paper and a pen next to my bed for moments like that. Somehow, I always get unstuck.

Stuck in life?

Maybe you need some down time.

Some rest.

If you’re overwhelmed, frustrated, tired … you could give it a try.

* * *

Note: This is the last post here until the New Year. I wish you all blessings and peace, infinity.

xoxo

Melissa

Photo by mkrigsman