Where'd it go and will it come back?

[Dark Huntress]

Ok I have read all the post. Usually I find that inspirational. Not today. I can't seem to write anything. I did manage to organize my notes but that's about it. Last night I read the chapters I have already written and told myself this is a good book. I then neatly placed all of it back on the desk, went into the family room and turned on the TV.

I just can't seem to go back to writing. I have no idea what happened. I can't sit down to write. I can sit down to read a book, play Skyrim or text my friends but not to write. This has been my situation for two weeks!

I don't think it's writers block. It's not as if I sat down to write and nothing pops up. I just don't write.

Anyone else been there?

[Anders Ämting]

Actually, this is exactly what I call writers block.

I never get the kind of writers block where I run out of ideas - I just kinda stop writing. It's really annoying because whenever I get online and ask for advice people keep giving me suggestions on how to come up with new ideas. I already have ideas, I just can't write them down. >_<

Anyway, mine has lasted for about two years, maybe a bit more. Hopefully, yours will be shorter. I wish I could suggest some sort of strategy but in my case, the only thing that seems to help is a drastic change of enviroment - the only time I wrote anything during the last two years was when I went to Amsterdam.

[San Cidolfus]

Have you tried showing snippets of your writing to trusted friends? Sometimes feeling the enthusiasm of a prospective fan is enough to give you that vital spark. Hearing that they're keen to know what happens can sometimes make you want to forge ahead. It's gotten me off my lazy ass before.

[Klee Shay]

Until just recently I hadn't written anything for any of my stories since 2006. I can't say with any certainty what made me want to write again. It was like my characters were in a coma. Then, for no reason I can readily name, they all started yelling at me.

I can only tell you that if you wait long enough, yours will start yelling at you again, too. I hope so anyway.

In the meantime, stick around and post if you like. Perhaps something will come to you.

[Anders Ämting]

Until just recently I hadn't written anything for any of my stories since 2006. I can't say with any certainty what made me want to write again. It was like my characters were in a coma. Then, for no reason I can readily name, they all started yelling at me.

I can only tell you that if you wait long enough, yours will start yelling at you again, too. I hope so anyway.

Six years is a long wait, though.

[SlimShady]

When I run out of steam I read, read, and read. Not just fantasy either. Anything that is entertaining. When I read a good book I always think: "I wanna write something as good as this!" Then the pieces usually fall into place. If that don't work read a bad book. Seriously, it might make you want to just prove that you can write a thousand times better.

My two cents.

[Anders Ämting]

When I run out of steam I read, read, and read. Not just fantasy either. Anything that is entertaining. When I read a good book I always think: "I wanna write something as good as this!" Then the pieces usually fall into place. If that don't work read a bad book. Seriously, it might make you want to just prove that you can write a thousand times better.

My two cents.

Alas, when I was struck by my writers block, I was also struck by readers block.

Yeah, apparently that's an actual thing. oO

[terence.soule]

I find wandering around a good bookstore or library helps, or even just walking around outside. Another trick I sometimes use is to stop writing when I still have a good sense of what I wanted to say next. So, when I sat down to write the next night it was easier to get started. Of course, sometimes I lost the thread that way, but more often it helped me maintain momentum.

[Telcontar]

At some point any serious writer has to master (or at least possess) the ability to write even when the Muse isn't around. This took me a long time to get down, but I'm glad I did. I have so little free time right now that if I had to wait for inspiration I would never do any writing.

My suggestion? Work on sitting your butt in the chair and forcing words out. Not necessarily the right words. Any words. Get towards your goal with something that will "do for now." Sometimes you might find yourself getting into the swing of it. Sometimes you won't, and you squeeze out a thousand words that you'll probably delete down the road. Cumulatively, it's still more productive that writing nothing. Trust me, I know how hard it can be. Even now, when I might have only half an hour at a time to write, I'll sometimes dither and try to give up. Don't let yourself.

[Klee Shay]

Six years is a long wait, though.

Very true. I do know trying to force a story doesn't work for me, but everyone has a different way of doing things. I can only share what did work for me and hope it helps.